Bringing a dog from Thailand to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)
Thailand is high-risk
Thailand is on CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies, so the stricter rules apply to any dog that was there in the last 6 months. (CDC: High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies)
If your dog was vaccinated in the U.S.
You need the CDC Dog Import Form receipt plus the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form, endorsed by USDA before the dog left the U.S. (or a USDA export certificate issued no later than July 31, 2025). Then the dog can land at any U.S. port that matches the receipt. Carry at least 3 copies of the endorsed form. See returning U.S.-vaccinated dogs. (CDC: Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries)
Round trip: going to Thailand first
The paperwork to enter Thailand is separate from the paperwork to come back. For the trip out, USDA APHIS lists an import permit, a health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet endorsed by APHIS, and a copy of the owner's passport for a pet traveling with a person, and says the pet must be at least 4 months old (USDA APHIS: Pet Travel From the U.S. to Thailand).
That Thai health certificate does not replace CDC's form for the return trip. CDC does not accept USDA export health certificates issued after July 31, 2025 for re-entry, so get the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form endorsed before you leave (CDC: Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations).
If your dog was vaccinated in Thailand
- Microchip first, then rabies vaccine at 12+ weeks of age, at least 28 days before arrival.
- Rabies titer at a CDC-approved lab (draw ≥30 days after the first valid vaccine and ≥28 days before travel), or plan a 28-day quarantine.
- Reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility (exam + revaccination).
- Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, completed ≤30 days before travel and endorsed by an official government veterinarian.
- CDC Dog Import Form (single entry, arrival date and airport must match).
- Fly directly into the airport where the facility is. No Alaska, Hawaii or U.S. territory entry, as there are no CDC-registered facilities there.
(CDC: Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries; CDC: Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations)
Titer lab in Thailand
CDC's approved lab list includes one entry for Thailand, listed in Thai as the National Institute of Animal Health, Department of Livestock Development (dld.go.th). Results must come directly from the approved lab, be in English (or with a certified translation), and CDC suggests sending the sample at least 60 days before travel. (CDC: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories)
Choosing the U.S. airport
The facility list changes, so check it before booking. As of its Sept 1, 2026 update, CDC's list included facilities serving Atlanta (ATL), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York JFK, Philadelphia (PHL) and Washington Dulles (IAD), some with cargo-only rules. (CDC: CDC-registered Animal Care Facilities)
Sources
- CDC: High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies
- CDC: Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries
- CDC: Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries
- CDC: Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations
- CDC: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories for Testing Dogs
- CDC: CDC-registered Animal Care Facilities
- USDA APHIS: Pet Travel From the United States to Thailand
More guides
- Airline and CDC timing: a countdown for flying your dog into the U.S.
- CDC Dog Import Form: step-by-step guide (2026)
- Bringing a dog from Colombia to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)
- Common reasons dogs are denied entry to the U.S. (and how to avoid them)
- Microchip rules for dogs entering the U.S. (is ISO required?)
- CDC high-risk countries for dog rabies: the list explained
- Bringing a dog from Mexico to the U.S. (CDC rules for 2026)
- Bringing a dog from the Philippines to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)
- Rabies vaccine, titer and certificate rules for dogs entering the U.S.
- U.S. dog entry requirements by risk category (comparison table)
- Returning to the U.S. with your U.S.-vaccinated dog from a high-risk country