Merci looking off the balcony in Pokhara, Nepal
UPDATE: Effective December 1, 2021
Dogs vaccinated in the United States by a US-licensed veterinarian may re-enter the United States from a high-risk country without a CDC Dog Import Permit if the dog:
- has a valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate;
- has proof of a microchip;
- is at least 6 months old;
- is healthy upon arrival; and
- arrives at an approved port of entry
Expired US-issued rabies vaccination certificates will not be accepted. If the US-issued rabies vaccination certificate has expired, you must apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit, if eligible.
UPDATE: Effective December 1, 2021, all dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months may only enter the United States through an approved port of entry, which includes all 18 airports with a CDC quarantine station: Anchorage (ANC), Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW), Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Minneapolis (MSP), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), San Juan (SJU), Seattle (SEA), and Washington DC (IAD).
All dogs imported into the United States must be healthy on arrival.
Dogs that have not been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months are not required by CDC to present a rabies vaccination certificate or a CDC Dog Import Permit—and can enter the United States at any port of entry, but must be healthy upon arrival and vaccination against rabies is recommended.
——
IMPORTANT NOTICE: As of July 14, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the “Notice of Temporary Suspension of Dogs Entering the United States from High-Risk Rabies Countries.” Through this notice, CDC is informing the public that, effective July 14, 2021, it is temporarily suspending the importation of dogs from:
- countries classified by CDC as high risk for dog rabies; AND
- countries that are NOT at high risk if the dogs have been in high-risk countries during the previous 6 months.
Read more about this at:
https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/high-risk-dog-ban-frn.html
We love to travel with our dog Merci, but the logistics of flying a dog to a third world country can be stressful. It took a lot of research but was completely worth it. We brought Merci with us for a two-month visit to Nepal.
Merci helped us form priceless memories and meaningful relationships with people that would not have been possible without her. Hopefully, sharing our experience in Nepal will help you plan your visit with your furry friend!
Nepal is a developing country, and it is challenging to attain regulations regarding travel with your dog. To determine requirements, it took a joint effort working with our veterinarian, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Nepali embassy, and Nepali customs.
Contents of Requirements for Getting Your Dog Into Nepal
REQUIREMENTS FOR GETTING YOUR DOG INTO NEPAL
Rabies Vaccination
A rabies vaccine is the single most common international travel requirement. The vaccine must be administered at least 30 days before travel to Nepal and is only valid for 12 months.
We carry Merci’s rabies certification that is signed by our veterinarian with us at all times. We do this to ensure we have proof of vaccination in case the local authorities ask.
International Health Certificate
An international health certificate is an official document that has a record of your dog’s rabies vaccination details, and other relevant vaccinations. It also states that the dog is healthy enough for international travel and free of infectious diseases. Once the health certificate is issued, you have 10 days to enter Nepal, or you must obtain a new health certificate.
The health certificate must be completed and issued by a licensed veterinarian. If you are from the United States, the veterinarian must be USDA Accredited, but the certificate does not need to be certified by the USDA.
Each country has different regulations regarding the health certificate. Here are a few links to help you find the regulation requirements in your country.
Your dog’s health certificate is valid for 30 days of travel from the time that it is issued. If you travel to Nepal for longer than 30 days, a health certificate from Nepal is required to exit the country.
The animal transportation paperwork must be completed by a veterinarian in Kathmandu and certified by the Government of Nepal Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Services. Once the health certificate is issued, you have 10 days to arrive back to your country of origin.
We worked with Dr. B.C. Jha at Advanced Pet Hospital & Research Centre to ensure we had the proper paperwork. Dr. Jha worked in a professional and timely manner; we would highly recommend him.
Advanced Pet Hospital & Research Centre
8-Bishal Basti (KA), Bishal Nagar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 1 4422855
Dr. B.C. Jha email: bcjhadk@hotmail.com
Website: http://aphrc.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aphktm
Notify Animal Quarantine of Import
You must notify the Animal Quarantine Office at least 24 hours before arrival at the Kathmandu airport. I recommend notifying them at least a week ahead of time. This ensures that there is an Animal Quarantine Officer available to assist with import paperwork.
It is best to contact them by email. In your email, make sure to include your name, contact information, arrival date, arrival time, flight information, dog breed, and dog weight.
Website: http://ktm.aqo.gov.np
Preferred email: ktmquarantine@gmail.com
Email: info@ktm.aqo.gov.np
Bring multiple copies of your animal transportation paperwork. The Animal Quarantine Office will need to keep copies for their records.
Import Tax
Nepal has a high import tax for dogs. The tax is paid at the Kathmandu airport upon arrival at the customs department. The breed of your dog will determine its value, and the import tax is a percentage of the value. This was surprising to us when we were trying to get Merci through customs. It was never mentioned in our correspondence with Nepali officials.
After the customs agent performed a quick Google search about border collies, they valued Merci at $500 USD. The import tax rate for dogs is 40% of the “perceived value.” We were charged $200 USD. We paid this at the bank located near customs and were given a receipt.
Point-of-sale credit card machines are rare, and there is no ATM near customs. It is best to have cash on hand, and most major currencies are accepted.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
Microchip
A microchip is not required to travel to Nepal. For safety reasons while traveling, it is wise to have your dog microchipped. If your pet gets lost and is taken to a veterinarian’s office or animal shelter, a microchip can help to identify your dog.
It is also important to make sure your contact information is up to date on your dog’s microchip registration. Make sure this contains an email or phone number that will work when overseas. The microchip number is looked up in a database that has your contact information, improving your chances of being reunited with your dog.
Rabies Antibody Titration Test
A rabies antibody titration test (titer test) is a blood test that checks antibody levels to confirm your dog has developed an immunity to rabies.
A titer test is not required to travel to Nepal. It is vital to work with your veterinarian to determine if a titer test is needed to return to your home country, as Nepal is considered a high-risk rabies country.
Each country has different regulations regarding the titer test. Here are a few links to help you find the regulation requirements in your country.
Airline Requirements
There are two ways to fly with your pet, in cabin or the cargo hold. Requirements for international travel with your dog will vary between airlines. It is best to inquire with the individual carrier you will be traveling with. All major airlines list pet policies on their website.
It is mandatory with all airline companies, to make a reservation for your dog at least 24 hours before your departure. This is important because there are limited numbers of pets allowed on a single flight. We always add Merci to our reservation as soon as we book our tickets. I also follow up 48 hours before our flight to ensure that the booking is still correct.
Before boarding, the airline will verify the rabies vaccination certificate and the international health certificate. All pets must enter Nepal at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
For more tips on airline requirements, read our article 9 Tips for International Travel with Your Dog.
Merci in her kennel ready for travel
Carrier and Crate Requirements
If you are permitted to take your dog in the cabin, there are some requirements for the dog and its carrier. These usually include:
- The total weight of your dog and carrier must be under 20lbs or 8kg
- The dog must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down in their carrier
- The carrier must be able to fit underneath the seat
If the airline does not allow cabin transportation, or your dog weighs too much, it will need to fly in the cargo hold. Most airlines follow the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations regarding approved carriers for pets in cargo. The requirements are:
- The crate must be large enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
- The container must be clean, leak-proof
- Absorbent bedding must be provided
- The container must be well constructed and be able to withstand other freight damaging it or causing the structure to buckle or bend.
- Separate food and water containers must be provided, either fixed inside the container or attached to it so that they are accessible.
- The container must be adequately ventilated on at least three sides, with the majority of the ventilation being provided on the upper half of the container.
Photo by IATA Pet Container Requirements
The IATA gives guidelines on measuring your dog to help you select the
A = length of
B = height from ground to elbow joint. A+1⁄2 B = length of container
C = width across shoulders or widest point.
Cx2 = width of container
D = height of
Minimum internal container dimensions:
A + ½ B = Length
D = Height
Snub-nosed breeds require 10% larger container
For more details on the crate requirements, see the IATA container information.
When we travel with Merci, we use the Petmate Sky Kennel Portable Dog Crate. Merci uses the Intermediate size because of her pointed ears the crate needed to be a bit taller and it allows more room to be comfortable. I like this crate because it meets all of the IATA standards, and is approved by all airlines. Merci has been crate trained from a young age, so she’s comfortable in her kennel.
All of the red tape associated with international travel with a dog can be a bit overwhelming. Hopefully, these tips and guidelines can help relieve some of the stress. If you have any further questions, you can email us at contactus@gatorandnuthin.com. We answer every email personally, and we would love to help. It makes us excited to see other travelers bringing their little loved ones along with them!
Check out our article about Flying with Your Dog in Cargo: Packing List!
Please Note: The advice in this article is accurate as of January 2022. Laws and regulations are subject to change at any time. This article should only be used as a reference. Please check with your veterinarian and the relevant government agencies to ensure you have the most up to date information before traveling.
