Laos Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Laos pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Laos will include an import permit, proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements

These rules apply to the transport of domestic dog and cats including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO LAOS below.

Pets in Laos

Laos is not generally considered as an overly pet-friendly country. In rural areas, dogs and cats are often not viewed as companions but more as functional animals; however, in urban areas, especially in cities like Vientiane, attitudes towards pets are gradually changing, with more people treating pets as part of the family.

Some hotels and guesthouses, particularly in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Vang Vieng, are beginning to allow pets, but it’s always best to check in advance as policies can vary. Pet owners may want to consider boutique hotels and eco-lodges that are more accommodating to pets. Although the number of establishments with explicit pet-friendly policies, there are some restaurants in Vientiane with outdoor seating that will accommodate pets.

It is important to note as Laos has a significant stray dog and cat population. These animals often live in poor conditions, and there are few resources or organizations dedicated to their care. Pet owners should fully protect their pets against any contagious canine and feline diseases before importing their pet to this country. Brown tick disease is prevalent and can be lethal if left untreated. Additionally, access to veterinary care is limited, especially in rural areas. In cities, there are a few veterinary clinics, but the services can be costly and out of reach for many pet owners.

Although there is an emerging shift toward better pet care, there is limited regulation regarding the treatment of pets. This can lead to issues like neglect, abandonment, and mistreatment. Pet owners should be aware of local practices towards pets in the area they will be visiting or residing.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Laos

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Laos if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

Laos Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog or cat to Laos must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-6 should be followed in the order given.

Step 1: Pet Microchip

Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. Firstly, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Secondly, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. Third, most countries require that pets be microchipped and compliant microchips may be difficult to find should your pet ever leave the country.

All dogs and cats imported to Laos must be identified with a microchip. The most accepted form of identification is a 15-digit pet microchip that meets ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation on how to register it in the manufacturer’s or your government’s database.

If microchipped, all documents should reflect the microchip number. If you want to be sure that veterinary inspectors can read your pet’s microchip, you can provide a microchip scanner that will read your pet’s microchip.

Step 2: Vaccinations

All cats and dogs over three months of age entering Laos must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to travel. Pets must enter Laos prior to the expiration date of the vaccine.

The administering veterinarian should issue, sign, and stamp:

• a rabies certificate or
• government-issued vaccination booklet or
• EU Pet Passport

Note: Rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitute for proof of rabies vaccination.

Other Vaccinations

Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis, and parainfluenza according to their country’s disease status. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.

All vaccinations can be recorded on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by the origin country.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It should be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination.

This test is not required to enter Laos from any country; however, all pets originating in countries classified as having a high risk of rabies should always travel with a rabies titer test. Additionally, as Laos is classified by the World Organization of Animal Health as a high-rabies risk country, this test may be required for your pet to return to the country of origin.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are optional and should be administered within 30 days of import with products approved in the country of origin. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue a record of treatment. Pets should always be inspected for external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, prior to any international travel. Note that brown tick disease is common in Laos and all pet owners should protect their pet from external parasites prior to export.

Step 5: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide require an original health certificate issued in the country of origin and Laos is no exception. The certificate must include the following information:

A licensed veterinarian in your country must complete the veterinary health certificate for Laos shortly prior to travel.

After issuance, this certificate must be endorsed by the government agency responsible for the import and export of animals in the country of origin.

Step 6: Import Permit

An import permit must be secured from the Department of Livestock and Fisheries is required for all pets entering Laos.

Other Information

Breeds Banned from Import to Laos

Laos does not publish a list of banned breeds. Importers are responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Flying a Pet to Laos

Commercial airlines which serve pets flying to Wattay International Airport in Vientiane include China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Jeju Air, Juneyao Air, and Vietnam Airlines.

Flights to Laos should be direct or transit through a listed third country or another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, then a Transit Declaration will be required attesting that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.

*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

Entering Laos by Air

If flying, pets should enter Laos via Wattay International Airport in Vientiane. Pets can enter as in-cabin, checked baggage, or air cargo, according to airline pet policies. The owner should be present at customs clearance.

In all cases, pets must travel in a pet carrier or pet crate that is in accordance with the policies set by the International Air Transport Association.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?

Importers should inform veterinary officials in advance. They will need to be available to check your pet and its pet passport documentation after landing.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of any signs of contagious diseases when evaluated at the entry airport. Importers will need to pay for further veterinary testing if the health of your cat or dog is not acceptable.

Importing Other Animals to Laos

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of rabies vaccination; however, they will have to meet other requirements. They should have an import permit and health certificate to enter Laos. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is important if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If so, you will have to submit additional permit applications.

Over 180 nations participate in and enforce CITES rules and protections.

Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database

Related: Read more about CITES

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Laos?

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Current Information

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to:

• make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense or
• return your pet to the country of origin, or
• euthanize your pet.

We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Laos pet import requirements.