A smooth import journey to Vietnam requires thorough preparation at the origin. Below is a detailed cost breakdown from Daisy Pet Transport to help pet owners eliminate unexpected charges and plan efficiently. For scheduling and preparation deadlines, see our 45-day Pet Import Timeline.
For the full entry requirements behind these costs, see our Vietnam pet import requirements guide.
| Category | Key Requirements & Regulatory Notes |
|---|---|
| 1. Export Process (in the departure country) | Depends on the export country: typically an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination (at least 30 days before the flight, under 12 months old on arrival), a government-endorsed export health certificate, and an export permit where required. |
| 2. Import Process (Vietnam) | File Form 3 (Mẫu 3), the quarantine declaration, with the airport quarantine station (Sub-Dept No. I at HAN, No. VI at SGN); about 48 hours before landing is safest. It is not an import permit. The Import Animal Quarantine Certificate, Form 15a (Mẫu 15a), is issued only after the officer checks the documents, scans the microchip and examines the pet. Shipments of 3+ pets also need Form 19 (Mẫu 19) approved by Cục Chăn nuôi và Thú y first. |
| 3. Flights & Weather | Prioritize direct or short connection flights. Avoid extreme summer heat months due to airline Checked Baggage (AVIH) travel bans caused by runway heat risks. |
| 4. Preparation Timeline | A structured 30-day veterinary schedule executed in chronological order from Day 1 to Day 30. |
1. Veterinary Regulations for Shipping Pets to Vietnam
Before your companion can board a flight, you must complete all veterinary and export compliance steps in the origin country:
- Veterinary Check & Microchip: General health exam, ISO 11784/11785 microchip implantation (15-digit non-encrypted; must be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccine is administered), and rabies vaccination/boosters (typically $100 – $250 depending on the country).
- Export Health Certificate: Official fee for issuing the veterinary health certificate by the local private or government vet clinic.
- Government Stamping Fees: Endorsement by the federal agricultural authority (e.g., USDA in the US costs $38 – $121, CFIA in Canada is CAD $20, and MOCCAE in the UAE is AED 400).
Important Note: Vietnam does not mandate a rabies titer test (RNATT) for import. However, if your move is temporary and you plan to return to the US, EU, or Japan in the future, we highly recommend conducting the Titer Test at the origin before flying to Vietnam to secure its lifetime validity. For more answers on Vietnam’s entry requirements, see our Pet Import Service to Vietnam.
2. Flight Options and Tarmac Heat Risks When Shipping Pets to Vietnam
Travel crates must strictly comply with the IATA Live Animals Regulations. Most airlines will refuse boarding at the check-in counter if the crate is too tight or lacks mandatory metal locking pins:
- Small Crate (for cats and small dogs under 5kg): Ranging from $80 – $150.
- Medium Crate (for dogs between 6kg and 20kg): Ranging from $150 – $300.
- Large / Giant Crate (for dogs over 20kg): Ranging from $300 – $500.
Owners must utilize the IATA size formula (A-B-C-D method) to determine the correct crate dimensions, ensuring the animal can stand, turn, and lie down naturally.
3. Air Freight & Airline Pet Travel Fees
This constitutes the largest expense of your relocation budget and varies widely by routing and method:
- In-Cabin Travel (PETC): For small cats or dogs (under 8kg including the carrier). Airlines charge a direct flat fee ranging from $150 – $250 per sector (common on EVA Air, Qatar Airways).
- Checked Baggage (AVIH): Pets travel on your flight in the temperature-controlled hold. Charges are calculated based on total crate weight, ranging from $250 – $600 per sector.
- Unaccompanied Manifest Cargo: Mandatory for large dogs (over 32kg), pets flying alone, or departing from hot zones like Dubai during summer. Air freight ranges from $1,500 – $3,500 depending on volume.
4. Import Quarantine and Customs Clearance Process in Vietnam
When your pet lands at Tan Son Nhat (SGN) or Noi Bai (HAN), the following local fees apply to finalize customs clearance:
- Official Quarantine Fees: Regulated under Circular 285/2016/BTC by the Ministry of Finance, the official fee is extremely low—only 50,000 – 100,000 VND per pet.
- Terminal Handling & Warehouse Fees (Cargo Only): Ground handling charges at TCS/SCSC (SGN) or ACSV/ALS (HAN) warehouses range from 1,500,000 – 3,000,000 VND depending on size.
- Customs Inspection (Cargo Only): For pets travelling as Manifest Cargo, customs officers physically verify the number of animals, species, and declared value before release — a mandatory anti-smuggling step. This is handled exclusively through a licensed customs broker; private individuals cannot access the cargo zone.
- Brokerage Agency Service: Fees for hiring a licensed customs broker to file the Import Quarantine Declaration Form (Form 3 — used for all pet imports, both personal and commercial) and complete cargo clearance at the airport quarantine station.
Estimated Total Relocation Budgets to Vietnam 2026
Below are three highly realistic total cost scenarios from initial paperwork prep to final airport pickup:
| Real-World Transport Scenario | Shipping Method | Estimated Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small Cat (under 7kg) from USA / Europe to Vietnam | In-Cabin Baggage (PETC) | $800 – $1,500 |
| Medium Dog (8kg – 25kg) from Japan / Korea to Vietnam | Checked Baggage (AVIH) | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Large Dog (over 30kg) unaccompanied from USA / Dubai to Vietnam | Manifest Air Cargo | $3,000 – $5,000 |
Service Quotations Include
- Air Freight & Logistics: Airline pet booking slot, Air Waybill fees, and fuel/security surcharges.
- Export Papers: Veterinary health cert processing and federal government endorsement at the origin.
- Vietnam Clearance: Import Quarantine Declaration Form filing and clinical quarantine clearance at SGN/HAN airport.
Service Quotations EXCLUDE
- IATA Crate Costs: Sourced separately based on the custom anatomical measurements of your pet.
- Unforeseen Duties: Non-commercial import duties or customs security taxes (if applied).
- Ground Transfer: Road transit via specialized pet taxi from SGN/HAN airport to local provinces.
Last updated 7 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.
