Count backward from arrival: when to start your pet's move

The short answer

Start the day you know the destination. Then work backward from your target arrival date, because some steps cannot be compressed. A pet whose vaccinations and blood tests already meet the destination's rules can move faster. A pet that needs a new microchip, or whose rabies vaccinations lapsed, may have to start again from the beginning.

What sets the calendar, destination by destination

For a dog or cat leaving the US mainland, starting with no destination-compliant tests:

Japan: about seven months

Microchip first, then at least two rabies vaccinations 30 or more days apart (the first at 91 days of age or older), then a rabies antibody test at a designated laboratory. The pet may arrive only after 180 days have passed from the blood sample, with notification to the Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days before arrival (MAFF). For a puppy, the age rule pushes the earliest arrival further out. Details: USA to Japan.

Singapore: plan on four months or more

The US is in Singapore's Schedule II. The rabies antibody blood sample must be taken at least 90 days and within 12 months before export (AVS), and the vaccination has to come before that. Details: USA to Singapore.

Taiwan: months, depending on the quarantine route

Pets from rabies-infected areas, which includes the US mainland, need an import permit applied for at least 20 days before arrival and serve 7 days of quarantine, which can be waived if specific conditions are met (APHIA). APHIA sets out the waiver conditions in its import documents, and we confirm them for your pet's dates, so start early. Details: USA to Taiwan.

South Korea: often weeks rather than months

Dogs and cats aged 90 days or more from countries that are not rabies-free need an ISO microchip and a rabies antibody test, taken within 24 months before arrival. Compliant pets may be released on the day of arrival (APQA). The real limit is how quickly the vaccination, blood draw and lab result can be done. Details: USA to South Korea.

Hong Kong: a few weeks for a vaccinated pet

Pets from the US mainland (Group II) need a special permit, processed in at least 3 working days, valid for 6 months and one consignment. AFCD says final travel arrangements should not be made until the permit is granted (AFCD). Vaccination timing rules apply before that. Details: USA to Hong Kong.

Bottlenecks that are not on the government checklist

• The flight. Airlines limit pets per flight, some carry pets only as cargo, and many restrict breeds or travel in hot months. See cabin, checked baggage or cargo.
• The crate. IATA suggests getting your pet familiar with the crate a few weeks or months before departure (IATA). Our crate guide has a training plan.
• Your own move. Orders, leases and work start dates rarely wait. If your pet's earliest legal arrival is after yours, the pet can follow later.
• The final exam window. Many destinations require the last vet exam and certificate shortly before travel, so that appointment has to be booked around the flight, not the other way around.

Your first-week checklist

1. Find your pet's microchip number and every rabies certificate.
2. Check your pet's breed against the destination's and the airlines' restrictions.
3. Write down your target arrival date and any hard deadline (report date, school start, lease).
4. Do not book "travel shots" yet. The order of microchip, vaccinations and blood test matters: Japan, for example, requires the microchip before the first counted rabies shot.
5. Ask for a timeline built from your pet's actual records.

Moving the other way, to the US?

Lead times are usually shorter, but rules still apply. CDC requires dogs to be at least 6 months old at entry and microchipped, and a dog that has only been in rabies-free or low-risk countries in the past 6 months needs a CDC Dog Import Form. CDC recommends completing it a few days to six months before travel (CDC). Our CDC dog import guide has the full picture.