Export Live Animals to Thailand

Last Modified: September 29, 2025

Electronic Signature ACCEPTED; Original Ink Endorsement REQUIRED

For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Original ink endorsement REQUIRED

USDA-accredited veterinarians can electronically issue health certificates and use VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System) to submit them to USDA for endorsement.

USDA must ink-sign and emboss the health certificate.

Summary of Requirements

Note: A copy of the APHIS approved pre-export isolation facility checklist is required by Thailand officials prior to issuing an import permit.

Note: The posted protocols for bovine semen and embryos (which are suitable for in vivo and in vitro fertilization) have been previously accepted by Thai border personnel, but no official bilateral agreement is in place between Thailand and the United States; therefore, exporters must ship at their own risk. It is recommended that the health certificate based on the posted protocols for bovine semen and embryos should be approved by Thai officials prior to export.

Note: Thailand allows for export of US sheep / goats on an individual shipment basis. A copy of the APHIS approved pre-export isolation facility checklist is required by Thailand officials prior to issuing an import permit. The health certificate has been previously accepted by Thai border personnel, but no official bilateral agreement is in place between Thailand and the United States; therefore, exporters must ship at their own risk. It is recommended that the health certificate should be approved by Thai officials prior to export.

Note: A copy of the APHIS approved pre-export isolation facility checklist is required by Thailand officials prior to issuing an import permit.

Note: Thailand does not allow day-old poults (turkey) from the United States for import. 

A bilateral health certificate is currently under review with Thai authorities. At this time, use the requirements as indicated in the protocol posted below to create a health certificate.  Do not use the protocol as an addendum. 

If the requirements of the posted protocol are not able to be certificated as written, the exporter must verify with the importer that the shipment will be allowed entry with alternative language.

 In addition to the posted protocol requirements, DLD requires to following for all U.S. poultry:

  1. HPAI laboratory analysis by RT-PCR on dead-in-shell (DIS) samples must be conducted within seven (7) days prior to shipment of poultry to Thailand. 
    The laboratory report must include the following:
    1. The certificate number of the APHIS-endorsed health certificate.
    2. It must be signed by the exporting company veterinarian.  This signature may be digitally applied – original signature and stamp is not required.  (APHIS endorsement is not required of the laboratory report).
    3. Newcastle disease testing is not required. 

NOTE: Laboratory results must be submitted to the DLD animal quarantine station at the port of arrival prior to the release of the day-old chicks (DOC).

  1. Exporting poultry facilities must be located at least 60 kilometers away from any ongoing outbreak of HPAI, and this must be noted on the APHIS-endorsed health certificate.

APHIS Registered Aquaculture Export Facility approval is required.

Taking a Pet to Another Country?

Visit Pet Travel

If your species is not listed, the requirements for that species are not known. Exporters who want to ship livestock or germplasm whose requirements are not listed above should have the importer or buyer in the destination country apply for an import permit at the appropriate ministry. This import permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.

Need Help?

USDA-Accredited Veterinarians

Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country's entry requirements for animals (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments) and for issuance of health certificates.

Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian

USDA Endorsement Offices

Contact the appropriate email for questions about endorsing an export health certificate for live animals.

 Pets - AskVETS@usda.gov

 Livestock, including equine, poultry, and wildlife/zoo animals -  LivestockExport@usda.gov

 Semen, embryos - GermplasmExport@usda.gov

 Aquaculture - VETS.RAEF@usda.gov

 In-person appointments and drop-off endorsement services are not available. For best results, accredited veterinarians should submit certificates electronically through the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS).

For VEHCS help see the VEHCS help page.  Routine APHIS VEHCS processing services are staffed Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time (CT) excluding federal holidays, the time listed in VEHCS reflects GMT.