The cost of shipping a pet from Vietnam to Russia is one of the most frequently asked — and most inconsistently answered — questions in the international pet transport space. Quotes vary from $800 to over $8,000 for what looks like “the same service.” The difference is almost never the paperwork. It is the travel method, pet size, and the airline used — three variables that have a compounding effect on final cost.
This guide provides a structured, line-by-line breakdown of every cost category for a Vietnam-to-Russia relocation in 2026, with real-world estimates by pet size.
Why Russia Routes Can Still Cost More Than Nearby Destinations
Vietnam-to-Russia relocations now split into two cost tracks, and which one applies to your pet decides most of the final number:
- AVIH on the direct flight. Vietnam Airlines operates a direct scheduled Hanoi–Moscow route (VN63). Pets that meet the airline’s AVIH size and weight limits check in with their owner and skip the transit leg entirely. This track is typically the cheaper of the two, though Daisy Pet does not yet have a published AVIH rate card for this route — contact us for a quote based on your pet’s exact weight and crate size.
- Manifest Cargo through a transit hub. Pets that do not qualify for AVIH — large dogs, multiple pets, or unaccompanied shipments — still fly Manifest Cargo through Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, or Tashkent. Transit adds cost on top of the base cargo rate, which is why this track remains the more expensive of the two.
Cost Category 1: Veterinary Documentation in Vietnam
All cost starts here. Before your pet leaves Vietnam, you need a complete, government-endorsed documentation set.
| Item | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Core vaccines (rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis for dogs; rabies + panleukopenia for cats) | $60–150 |
| Microchip implantation (if not done) | $15–40 |
| Clinical examination for export quarantine | $30–80 |
| Export quarantine certificate — Form 15 + Mẫu 13a (Animal Quarantine Station) | $80–180 |
| Translation and legalisation (if required by airline) | $40–100 |
Subtotal veterinary documentation: $225–550
Cost Category 2: IATA-Compliant Travel Crate
An IATA-compliant hard-sided crate is required for both AVIH and Manifest Cargo shipments. Crate cost depends on size class:
| Crate Size | Typical for | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small (up to 60 cm length) | Cats, small dogs (Chihuahua, Poodle Toy) | $40–90 |
| Medium (60–80 cm) | Medium dogs (Corgi, Shiba Inu) | $80–160 |
| Large (80–100 cm) | Large dogs (Labrador, Golden Retriever) | $150–280 |
| Extra Large (100 cm+) | Giant breeds (German Shepherd, Husky) | $250–450 |
Cost Category 3: Airline Cargo Fees (Manifest Cargo Track)
This category applies to pets travelling as Manifest Cargo — those that do not qualify for AVIH on the direct Vietnam Airlines flight described above. This is the largest variable in the budget for this track. Cargo rates are calculated on a chargeable weight basis (actual weight vs. volumetric weight — whichever is higher).
| Pet Profile | Transit via Istanbul (TK) | Transit via Dubai (EK Cargo) |
|---|---|---|
| Small cat or dog (<5 kg, small crate, total chargeable ~15 kg) | $500–900 | $600–1,100 |
| Medium dog (10–15 kg, medium crate, total chargeable ~35 kg) | $900–1,600 | $1,100–1,900 |
| Large dog (25–35 kg, large crate, total chargeable ~65 kg) | $1,600–2,800 | $2,000–3,500 |
| Giant breed (>40 kg, XL crate, total chargeable ~90 kg+) | $2,500–4,200 | $3,000–5,000 |
These are cargo rates for the full Vietnam→transit→Russia journey. Actual rates change seasonally and with fuel surcharges — treat these as realistic planning estimates, not fixed quotes. If your pet qualifies for AVIH on the direct flight instead, expect a meaningfully lower cost than the table above — request an AVIH-specific quote from Daisy Pet based on your pet’s exact weight and crate dimensions.
Cost Category 4: Russia Arrival Costs
One of the advantages of the EAEU framework is the minimal arrival-side cost. Unlike Taiwan or Australia, Russia does not impose mandatory quarantine fees for pets with valid documentation.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Border veterinary inspection fee | Free – minimal (varies by checkpoint) |
| Quarantine | None (for 1–2 pets with owner, valid documents) |
| Rosselkhoznadzor permit (if 3+ pets or unaccompanied) | ~$0 (issued at no charge by Rosselkhoznadzor) |
| Cargo warehouse release fee (for Manifest Cargo arrivals) | $50–200 (charged by handling agent) |
Cost Category 5: Professional Relocation Service
Working with a professional pet relocation company like Daisy Pet Transport adds a service fee but removes the coordination burden — flight booking, document preparation, route optimisation, transit arrangements — from the owner. For a route as logistically complex as Vietnam-to-Russia, this is worth evaluating carefully.
| Service Level | What’s Included | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Documentation only | Export quarantine certificate, vet coordination, translation | $300–600 |
| Full service (door to airport) | Docs + crate + flight booking + airport handling SGN/HAN | $800–1,500 |
| Door-to-door | All above + coordination with receiving party in Russia | $1,200–2,500 |
Real-World Total Cost Estimates
| Pet Profile | Budget Estimate (DIY) | With Professional Service |
|---|---|---|
| Small cat or toy dog (<5 kg) | $1,000–1,800 | $1,500–2,800 |
| Medium dog (10–20 kg) | $1,600–2,800 | $2,400–4,000 |
| Large dog (25–35 kg) | $2,500–4,200 | $3,500–5,500 |
| Giant breed (>40 kg) | $3,500–6,000 | $5,000–8,000+ |
Note on the table above: these totals assume the Manifest Cargo track. A small cat or toy dog is exactly the profile most likely to qualify for AVIH on the direct Hanoi–Moscow flight — if yours does, the real total is typically lower than the range shown here. Get an AVIH quote from Daisy Pet before budgeting off this table.
What These Estimates Do Not Include
- Pet insurance for international travel (optional but recommended — $50–150)
- Pre-travel vet check-ups beyond the required clinical exam
- Ground transport within Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City to airport, if applicable)
- Any additional documentation required by the specific transit airline
The Practical Takeaway
Budget planning for a Russia relocation should start with one question: does your pet qualify for AVIH on the direct Vietnam Airlines flight, or does it need Manifest Cargo through a transit hub? That answer decides the single largest line item in the budget. Within the Manifest Cargo track, a small cat still costs approximately 3× less than a large German Shepherd on the same route. Get a quote — AVIH or cargo — from your chosen airline or from Daisy Pet before finalising any other arrangements.
For a detailed, personalised cost breakdown for your specific pet and travel timeline, contact the Daisy Pet International Relocation team or use our quote form. For a full overview of Russia’s import requirements, see our Russia Pet Import Laws 2026 guide, or consult our Pet Shipping Timeline Vietnam to Russia 2026 guide to plan your preparation schedule.
Last updated 15 Oct 2026
Compiled by our specialists from the regulations in force on the date above, for reference only. Rules may change after this date. Please verify with the competent authorities or contact us for the most accurate information.
