Looking for more up-to-date info about exporting pets from Cambodia? Check out our brand-new pet export guide!
One of the questions we hear from expats is whether or not it’s possible to bring their pets in and out of Cambodia. Happily, the answer is a resounding yes! We talked an expert on the matter, Nicola Scales, the president and founder of PPAWS, the Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society about moving with pets to Cambodia and adopting pets in Cambodia. Here’s the low-down.
If you are looking for a pet, consider an abandoned Cambodia pagoda dog.
MTC: How can expats bring their dog or cat with them to Cambodia?
NS: It is relatively easy to bring pets in although there is little written documentation of the process. It is simplest to have your pets fly with you, you can just pick them up from the baggage department and walk out of the airport with them. If they come via a pet relocation service, there are often hidden costs added that are difficult to verify or determine ahead of time, due to the lack of documentation on the subject.
Do expat pets need special vaccinations to come to Cambodia?
Nothing special is needed, just the standard vaccinations and rabies shots–the same as most countries.
If expats want to adopt a pet in Cambodia, what is the best way to go about it?
Expats can contact PPAWS, especially if they are interested in kittens or young cats–the advantage being we often give them their first vaccination so it is cheaper in the long run. Alternatively Madame Loan at CAPA often has dogs or puppies (but she has been known not to allow certain people to adopt her rescue animals, possibly based on nationality). The alternative is to just go to a pagoda; there are many kittens and sometimes puppies abandoned there and if they ask the monks they are usually quite happy for them to take them.
What should expats consider before they adopt a pet in Cambodia?
Before you adopt any animal, please consider your future plans. Cats and dogs can live up to 20 years. Only take in a pet if you are certain that you will be able to care for it and bring it with you if you move away. Adopting a dog or cat should be for life, not just for while you are living in Cambodia!
Are there veterinarians in Cambodia? Where can expats go for pet healthcare?
I recommend Agrovet, this is a European veterinary clinic with mainly French vets but also a Spanish vet.
There are many abandoned kitties that need loving homes.
What is PPAWS (Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society) and what do they do?
PPAWS was set up to try and help the abandoned cats and dogs in the pagodas of Phnom Penh. At the current time we focus on two pagodas. The funds come mostly from my wages as a teacher and so we are limited by this fact, and when I am working, that also limits how much I can do. But if people find abandoned animals, they can ring me and I’ll advise or try and help. I cannot take them in as I already take in rescue animals from the pagodas.
Can I take my pet with me when I leave Cambodia?
It is relatively easy to take animals with you to everywhere but Australia and New Zealand. Even the UK no longer has requires animal quarantine, instead the animals do a three month in-country quarantine after a blood test to make sure they have rabies antibodies. My advice is get your pets vaccinated and keep up with the vaccinations. Check out what you will need to take your pet back to your own country and put money aside and plan for this eventuality. There is more information about exporting your pet, including airline recommendations, on the PPAWs site.
PPAWS (Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society) Clinic
Clinic open Tuesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
189 Street 37, Beoung Tumpun, Phnom Penh
T: 017 293 654; 017 517 365
ppaws.com
Wanted to add another report here about bringing two cats from the US to Cambodia, again transiting through Vietnam. The trip was done in May 2017 and we flew Asiana, LAX-ICN-SGN. One cat was in-cabin and the other in-cargo. Asiana is good that they allow in-cabin cats/dogs up to 11lbs. (Ours weighed about 12lbs and was actually weighed at LAX but created no problems). Asiana also restricts animals in-cargo on their A320 series aircraft, meaning travel into PNH or REP is impossible*. Cost per animal was USD$200. Transit in ICN was 90 minutes and we confirmed with the gate agents that our in-cargo pet was transferred and manifested. Upon arrival into SGN local staff brought the crate to the carousel. Unlike the previous time when we encountered a customs official who was talking about a permit, this time we encountered no-one and walked straight out of baggage claim, through customs and into the arrivals area. Our arrival this time was lunchtime and we grabbed our pre-booked car and drove to the Moc Bai border. No problems exiting or entering Cambodia.
*I have a major complaint with Asiana and my communication with them is ongoing and currently unsatisfactory. As I wrote before, Asiana prohibits pet in-cargo travel on their A320 series aircraft. From LAX-ICN the aircraft is an A380 and from ICN-SGN it was advertised as an A330. However, on this date, and according to flightaware.com they had changed equipment and had being doing so for the previous few days. We ended up flying ICN-SGN in an A321. First, this really annoyed us because we thought we could’ve flown direct to PNH and avoided the taxi/land border chaos. Second, on discussion with Asiana officials since the flight, they advised us that they prohibit pets flying in-cargo on their A320 series aircraft for safety reasons. Third, we received absolutely no notification about the equipment change. While I was initially annoyed about not being able t fly direct to PNH, I’m now really angry that they may have endangered our animal. I’m surprised at their lack of customer service here because in the past I have found them very communicative.
Hi, I just moved my cat from Hong Kong to Cambodia via air with Cathay. We had no real problems. The cat landed at 6pm. They guy at cargo said customs was closed and we would have to come back the next day. Finally we got him to understand it was a live animal and we had to get her now. He got the cat and charged us $10. And that was it!!
Out of curiosity, how did you get him to understand? Did you have to make meowing sounds?
Just to keep this updated;
Flew with a 50lb lab in the hold LAX-SGN via TPE w EVA Air in March 2017. EVA charges 3 x excess bag for animal that size so extra cost was US$420. Required rabies vacc and health cert from USA. Required transit permit (free) from BAPHIQ in Taiwan; done via email w no problems. Only problem to note was arrival at SGN, upon collecting dog at carousel a Vietnamese Customs employee walked up and asked if we had a permit. We said we’re transiting to Cambodia and they said technically need permit, however, they could help… The employee kept repeating this as we kept walking towards the exit, no money exchanged hands and it didn’t seem to be the objective but we found ourselves outside with all bags and the dog and no problem… No problems at border crossing to Cambodia either.
Thanks for the update, Phil. Sounds like it wasn’t too much hassle! Did you cross the border to Cambodia overland?
Yes. Grabbed a pre-arranged car to Moc Bai, then transferred to another pre-arranged car to Phnom Penh.
And the taxis had no problem with taking a dog? How much did they cost? Seems like this might be a better option than the often 8 hour layover in SGN.
Actually, we arrived late at night. We took a local taxi from the airport to a hotel. We left our dog in the crate and lifted it into the taxi with no problems raised by the driver. I would assume taking a taxi to the border would be the same if the animal was left in the crate. (However, for us, to the border and then on to Phnom Penh we had pre-arranged private cars through a local friend. These drivers had no problem either).
Hi Phil,
What paperwork did you have to show at the Moc Bai border crossing? Was the process of leaving Vietnam and entering Cambodia simple? Thinking about doing the same in a few weeks rather than fly (as my dog hates to go in cargo and I can’t take him on the plane between SGN and PP).
I’m not trying to be an ass in my reply but I have good connections in Cambodia. We were escorted across the border, sat in the car and our friends did all the paperwork for us. We did not show any documentation for our dog either in Vietnam or Cambodia. I honestly have no idea how it would be otherwise. There is this blog post (http://www.expatsandaliens.com/international-pet-travel-take-your-dog-overseas/) from a guy who transited Vietnam for Cambodia and wrote that he didn’t have any hassles.
Thanks for your reply Phil and for the link you provided. I traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh with my dog earlier this week by car and it was super easy and hassle free. I took an uber from HCMC to the Moc Bai border and walked across the border with my dog. In the Vietnam building, no one asked any questions about my dog, they just stamped my passport and I walked on. In the Cambodian building, I had my passport stamped and then on leaving the building a quarantine officer asked to look at the health certificate and vaccination records for my dog. I had this handy and there were no problems. We then walked out and met a pre-arranged driver to take us to Phnom Penh. All in all, crossing the border probably took me around ten minutes including the walking between the two buildings! Was very happy with how it all went.
Hi, I will be coming to phnom penh in April from India. My dog has an EU Passport and all shots. We will come by air… in cabin. Do I need anything from the Cambodia side?
I brought mine via Korea via Vietnam, the airliner checked the vaccination records and doctor’s notes. My dogwas on the baggage belts when we arrived to pick up our luggage. No question was asked by the airport ppl, we just walked out the door.
Thanks! So nothing in advance from the Cambodia side?
i was told Pitt bulls were not allowed in Cambodia. i am moving to Siem Reap in November and want to bring my dog with me she is a Pitt-bull can I bring her?
They are sold here, so I guess they are allowed. Some airlines won’t let you fly with them, though. Check out this Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/495286467345705/
Hello from Tokyo/Japan, I am planing moving to Japan to Cambodia with my two dogs (9yrs,4yrs). And get confusing about that when I called to Cambodia embassy in Tokyo, They said different things.I have to have a round trip air tickets. But I will moving there so..Is it okay for only oneway air tickets? Could you please some one help me about it, already they had a test.
You don’t need to have round-trip tickets but you should get your visa in advance. Otherwise, your airline may ask for proof that you will be leaving the country. One option is to go online and purchase a $15 bus ticket from Phnom Penh to HCMC so you have evidence you aren’t staying in Cambodia. This has nothing to do about dogs, as far I know.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you very much for info. I will do that.!!
Hello all, can anybody recommend me the best way to bring my golden retriever 8 y.o. From Indonesia (Surabaya) to Cambodia? Which air company could give a better deal? Or it would be better to use an agency maybe? I usually fly AirAsia but they do not carry pets. I was told that Singapore Airlines and Malaysian airlines eventually do this but I still couldn’t find the info about the costs. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance for help.
hi, i came to cambodia with my 3yrs old golden with Malaysia airline. you have to go visit the counter or office of malaysia airline at the airport in indonesia. they will give you a full info of the cost per kg and what are the documents they need in order to accept your golden. in malaysia, the documentation was just export permit from the local authority with a full body check up, and some important injections. prepare few copies with you to show at the airport.
Thank you for the info! I have contacted Malaysian airlines by mail and i’m waiting for their reply. They do not fly to Surabaya (my starting point) so I may have to go to Jakarta. I’ve tried to contact Singapore Airlines too but unfortunately they told me they don’t do this service. I’m trying to find a flight company that could start from Surabaya but I still cannot find it. I’ve just contacted one agency too and i’m waiting for their reply. If anybody has any info please let me know! Any help is much appreciated. Thank you all in advance.
Hi lei,
How much the cost if import puppy from malaysia to cambodia?thank
You can go to the Malaysia airline’s counter at klia.. Alex was abit fat plus the cage.. Total was around 1400ringgits .. But I recommend you to check at the klia. The info there is more accurate compared to their customers hotline..
Hi can anyone help me?
I am in india with my girlfriend at the moment and have taken in a 8 week old puppy to restore back to health (in which she is now) we are now moving to cambodia for 6 months and are bringing her with us. I am wondering if anyone knows anything about bringing pets from india to cambodia. Airlines, forms, things needed to make our puppy more comfortable through the flight? Anything would be greatly appreciated
Hi… I moved to Phnom Penh 4 months ago with my 3yrs old golden from Malaysia.. In Malaysia there are pet import n export agencies.. The agent helped us to arranged all the export documents plus the medical checkup at the government animal department.. Copy 2 sets of the documents..All the documents must show to the airline before departure.. For the Cambodia side.. It’s very simple.. I picked him up from the baggage claim just like every normal luggage.. Then pushed the cage out with me like Norma tourist.. No one ask for any documents…
I had to take my chihuahua to the vet last week and have her put to sleep. I was going to wait a little while before getting another one but I miss her so much? I think I need to go ahead and find one but I’m not having much luck finding what I want. I’m looking for a female short hair (smooth coat) preferably white or light colored chihuahua puppy that would be around 8 lbs (3.3 kg) full grown. The weight limit is so air travel would be easier. I see ads for long haired chihuahuas but short hairs don’t seem to be as popular in Cambodia. I brought Twinkie with me from the United States so I don’t know how to go about getting what I want here. If anyone knows how or where I can find one please let me know. Thanks
I would like to bring my dog (40kgs) from Seoul to Phnom Penh via Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Could you advise what would be the best route, via air or road? I don’t think there is a plane flying from Vietnam to Cambodia, that has pet cargo. If I take road, is there any bus operator that allows pets? What would be the process? I would appreciate any advice.
About 7 months ago I went from the US to Bangkok on Delta and took a taxi to the border and crossed over into Cambodia with my chihuahua. I was no problem at all. The planes coming into Cambodia are smaller and the cargo is not pressurized or climate controlled and they have an eleven lb. weight limit. Delta has a 20 lb limit so I was able to fly her in the cabin all the way to Bangkok.
Hi Don, thank you for your reply. I will bring my dog to Vietnam (HCMC) by air and would like to bring to Cambodia by road, probably by bus. Do you know which bus companies allow pets? Or how much would be to hire a private car to the border and from the border to PP? Thanks again!
I don’t know, I have never used the bus, I’ve always used taxis. The bus would be considerably cheaper. I don’t know what kind of paperwork Vietnam requires for your dog but if I remember right they were more strict than Thailand.
My guess for the taxi would be about $50 from the border to Phnom Penh. That’s what it cost from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh. I don’t know how much it would cost to get to the border in Vietnam.
Thanks Don!
HI Misk,
I’m also hoping to go this route with my 65lbs labradoodle. HCMC was the only airport we could arrive at that would accommodate her from the US. Have you found out any information on getting across the border to PP?
Hello, I did bring my dog. I flew to HCMC and from there we flew to Cambodia via Qatar Airways , they accept pets but need to get authorization first.