We want to Export our 2 Pet Dogs to Australia

[avander]

I'd like to get some experiences and recommendations from other TV members who may have recently exported their pets to Australia.

We'll be moving back to Australia during 2018 and plan to take our 2 4 year old Shih Tzu back to live in Sydney.

Orignally I was horrified when asking about the costs and process for a door to door service and getting a $US10,000 for each from a well known service provider.

We have just contact a business in Thailand who appear to offer a good export service to Australia for around $AU7,500 for both dogs.  A huge difference and the only service difference appears to be that we need to arrange the transport of the dogs from the Quarantine facility in Melbourne to Sydney which I don't export would be a whole lot more money.  The business is called Antibody Test Thailand and offer all services including Pet Import and Export along with arrange the Rabies testing etc.

 

Has anyone had any experiances or heard of these or know of any other local providers who are not in the  $US10,000 per animal (private jet?) league?

 

[Dodgydownunder]

I am currently going through this extremely stressful process with my two cats, avander. Let me tell you that it is a very complicated and expensive process (as you know). Some very bad language has been uttered from my mouth at various times lately. We have just wasted 2 months (of their 6 months wait after the initial rabies test) and a lot of money because the Thai vet agent got their rabies tests done by a non approved lab in the UK. Ironically they passed it very easily.

 

I'm doing a lot of the work myself except for some veterinary things and permits in Malaysia. Malaysia is a much cheaper option than Singapore but It seems to be a closed shop there (Malaysia). You must use an agent to get the Malaysian import permit for you. About $5 but they will charge you around $100. THe MAQIS (import and quarantine) website is absolutely useles, with links that don't work, almost as if they don't want people to be able to get the information they need. (forcing them to use agents). We've had some shockingly expensive quotes just for their stay in Malaysia too.  Our cats look like having to stay in Malaysia for 6 weeks (1 week quarantine followed by boarding) while waiting for the 2nd rabies test results and finalising the import permit and quarantine booking.

 

Most pet agents are a completre rip off as you say, but you won't get it done much cheaper than the $7,500 for both dogs. That's a very good quote really and you probably should accept it in my opinion. Australian costs after landing (import permits and quarantine) for 2 cats are at least $4,350- not sure about dogs) I think I can get my 2 cats imported for a little less than $7,500 but by doing a lot of the work myself. You just need to make sure that the agent knows what he is doing because the Australian Dept. of Agriculture and Water resources is extremely pedantic about their requirements.

 

As you probably know they have closed down ALL other quarantine centres after opening Mickleham and there is at least a month long waiting list there, especially for dogs. Glad I come from Melbourne but, even so, I sent a letter of complaint  to the Australian Government about this. Amazingly, even got a reply!!

 

 We don't have children so we are taking our cats back to Australia instead when my wife's partner visa comes through. Australian government supperannuation changes have forced me to go home but in reality I've had enough of this place. We are 6 months after initial application now.

 

Anyway, very best luck with your dogs' export, avander.

[avander]

57 minutes ago, Dodgydownunder said:

I am currently going through this extremely stressful process with my two cats, avander. Let me tell you that it is a very complicated and expensive process (as you know). Some very bad language has been uttered from my mouth at various times lately. We have just wasted 2 months (of their 6 months wait after the initial rabies test) and a lot of money because the Thai vet agent got their rabies tests done by a non approved lab in the UK. Ironically they passed it very easily.

 

I'm doing a lot of the work myself except for some veterinary things and permits in Malaysia. Malaysia is a much cheaper option than Singapore but It seems to be a closed shop there (Malaysia). You must use an agent to get the Malaysian import permit for you. About $5 but they will charge you around $100. THe MAQIS (import and quarantine) website is absolutely useles, with links that don't work, almost as if they don't want people to be able to get the information they need. (forcing them to use agents). We've had some shockingly expensive quotes just for their stay in Malaysia too.  Our cats look like having to stay in Malaysia for 6 weeks (1 week quarantine followed by boarding) while waiting for the 2nd rabies test results and finalising the import permit and quarantine booking.

 

Most pet agents are a completre rip off as you say, but you won't get it done much cheaper than the $7,500 for both dogs. That's a very good quote really and you probably should accept it in my opinion. Australian costs after landing (import permits and quarantine) for 2 cats are at least $4,350- not sure about dogs) I think I can get my 2 cats imported for a little less than $7,500 but by doing a lot of the work myself. You just need to make sure that the agent knows what he is doing because the Australian Dept. of Agriculture and Water resources is extremely pedantic about their requirements.

 

As you probably know they have closed down ALL other quarantine centres after opening Mickleham and there is at least a month long waiting list there, especially for dogs. Glad I come from Melbourne but, even so, I sent a letter of complaint  to the Australian Government about this. Amazingly, even got a reply!!

 

 We don't have children so we are taking our cats back to Australia instead when my wife's partner visa comes through. Australian government supperannuation changes have forced me to go home but in reality I've had enough of this place. We are 6 months after initial application now.

 

Anyway, very best luck with your dogs' export, avander.

Yes, I'm aware (painfully) that my dogs have to go to Melbourne initially.  That's where we need to add additional cost and organize for them to be sent to Sydney.

IOt does seem like a very good quote so I am intending to visit the vet and their business in Bangkok to further check them out.  Regardless of what happens I will post the results in this topic for others who may be interested.  My wife got me to have have a chat with the "doctor" over the phone and he seemed OK but that is just my initial impression.  Stay tuned.....

[topt]

OP not sure if this will help but recently arranged for two large GSDs to go to Italy - appreciate this is not Oz!

 

The biggest chunk of cost was the air freight due to their weight (28 and 38kgs each and tall) and the need for 2 large cages which meant the air freight cost was based on a volumetric calculation. You don't mention the sizes of your dogs but the quotes seem excessive.

 

I used our local vet in Pattaya to microchip and then to take the blood and send to a registered/approved lab. The rest of the process was mainly dealt with by Dynamic Air Cargo who can be contacted on [email protected] .

This lady speaks reasonable English - Sopa Sriboonroung(wan) Tel: 662 693 5999 # 102

 

There may well be issues with Australia that are very different but may be worth asking for another quote.

Best of luck.

[avander]

12 minutes ago, topt said:

OP not sure if this will help but recently arranged for two large GSDs to go to Italy - appreciate this is not Oz!

 

The biggest chunk of cost was the air freight due to their weight (28 and 38kgs each and tall) and the need for 2 large cages which meant the air freight cost was based on a volumetric calculation. You don't mention the sizes of your dogs but the quotes seem excessive.

 

I used our local vet in Pattaya to microchip and then to take the blood and send to a registered/approved lab. The rest of the process was mainly dealt with by Dynamic Air Cargo who can be contacted on [email protected] .

This lady speaks reasonable English - Sopa Sriboonroung(wan) Tel: 662 693 5999 # 102

 

There may well be issues with Australia that are very different but may be worth asking for another quote.

Best of luck.

Thanks for the info.  Our 2 are 6kgs and 8 kgs respectively so weight won't be an issue ... Lol.   

I'm not sure about Italy either but Australia has very tight import and Quarantine regs and Thailand isn't on the list of approved export origin countries so it gets a little complicated.  We're having some discussions with a Thai service company experienced in exporting to Australia. Also chatting offline with  one of the other TV members who is currently going through the process. 

[Dodgydownunder]

31 minutes ago, topt said:

OP not sure if this will help but recently arranged for two large GSDs to go to Italy - appreciate this is not Oz!

 

The biggest chunk of cost was the air freight due to their weight (28 and 38kgs each and tall) and the need for 2 large cages which meant the air freight cost was based on a volumetric calculation. You don't mention the sizes of your dogs but the quotes seem excessive.

 

I used our local vet in Pattaya to microchip and then to take the blood and send to a registered/approved lab. The rest of the process was mainly dealt with by Dynamic Air Cargo who can be contacted on [email protected] .

This lady speaks reasonable English - Sopa Sriboonroung(wan) Tel: 662 693 5999 # 102

 

There may well be issues with Australia that are very different but may be worth asking for another quote.

Best of luck.

Thanks for the contact details for Dynamic Air Cargo, topt. I might check them out too. Animals exported from Thailand must spend at least 30 days in an approved country (Eg. Singapore or Malaysia) before export is allowed to Australia. This adds to the expense greatly, especially because the pets need blood tests done by an approved lab in another country during their stay. In my opinion $7,500 for both of avander's dogs is a great deal.

[topt]

2 minutes ago, Dodgydownunder said:

Thanks for the contact details for Dynamic Air Cargo, topt. I might check them out too. Animals exported from Thailand must spend at least 30 days in an approved country (Eg. Singapore or Malaysia) before export is allowed to Australia. This adds to the expense greatly, especially because the pets need blood tests done by an approved lab in another country during their stay. In my opinion $7,500 for both of avander's dogs is a great deal.

Ah yes now I remember reading that and thinking thank goodness it does not apply. Yes that would add considerably to the cost.

[avander]

4 minutes ago, Dodgydownunder said:

Thanks for the contact details for Dynamic Air Cargo, topt. I might check them out too. Animals exported from Thailand must spend at least 30 days in an approved country (Eg. Singapore or Malaysia) before export is allowed to Australia. This adds to the expense greatly, especially because the pets need blood tests done by an approved lab in another country during their stay. In my opinion $7,500 for both of avander's dogs is a great deal.

It is not cheap but considering my first quote of $US20,000 for both dogs door to door well, let's just say that was cardiac arrest material.  They obviously didn't want the business. 

[Dodgydownunder]

4 minutes ago, avander said:

It is not cheap but considering my first quote of $US20,000 for both dogs door to door well, let's just say that was cardiac arrest material.  They obviously didn't want the business. 

I've had a couple of those! 350,000 baht for both cats (4kg and 5kg)! I shed a few tears at first because I thought I might need to leave them here with relatives. But, being recently retired, I decided to use the time to do a lot of research and bring the costs down as much as I could myself.

[Dodgydownunder]

If anyone is in the same boat as avander and I and would like to undertake the daunting task of sending your loved pets back to Australia ( or other destinations ) via Malaysia,  I have found an agent in Malaysia who I believe is a reliable stand up guy and not a rip off merchant like many of them are. His name is Petri Martenson (Scandinavian?) and his company's name is Petri's Pet Taxi. I got a very reasonable quote in Malaysian Ringgit from him for veterinary services during my cats' stay in Malaysia but am organising and paying for other things myself. He has been helpful and has answered a lot of questions I sent to him by email too. The Malaysian ringitt has also depreciated a lot recently against AUD helping to keep costs down.

 

His email is  [email protected]

 

He can handle anything from Malaysia onwards to Australian quarantine but you would need to do the following in Thailand first:

 

1. Make sure all vaccinations required by Australia and Malaysia (feline leukemia for cats) are done and registered up to date in their record book

2. Get a 15 digit ISO compatible microchip for your pet. Cerificate is required.

3. Arrange for your pet's first blood antibody test with microchip number registered 5-6 months before export to Australia. Cats need rabies test but not sure about dogs. Blood drawn anywhere in Thailand but test done ONLY in an approved overseas lab.. List of labs is on Australian Dept of Agriculture website.

4. Apply for and pay for the Australian import permit, valid for 12 months. (Will not be fully granted until successful 2nd overseas lab blood test results whilst in Malaysia) AUD $720 for 2 cats

5. Might be able to apply for provisional Australian quarantine space. I'm not sure. Am not up to this stage yet.

6. Get the Malaysian import permit from Petri (valid for one month) and ask him to book quarantine space (next to KL airport) for your pet's departure date .

6. About 4 days prior to departure to Malaysia take your pet/s to the Thai Government vet at Suvanabhumi airport (cargo area) to get the export certificate. Take all original documents with you as well as their vet health records. I've been told this could take at least half a day. Thonglor animal hospital and Ari vet can provide this service for a fee.

7.  Send your pets to Kuala Lumpur by either excess baggage with Malaysian/ Thai airlines if accompanying them or by an unaccompanied cargo consignment. Malaysian quarantine services will pick them up and Petri will take it from there. 7 days quarantine and at least 23 days of boarding in KL.

 

Sounds like a lot but you have alot of time to complete these things before leaving LOS as there is a 6 month wait for entry to Australia after the first blood test, which starts from the date that the approved overseas lab receives the serum.

Hope this information is helpful.

 

[topt]

Very good post.

A couple of comments for others -

9 hours ago, Dodgydownunder said:

6. About 4 days prior to departure to Malaysia take your pet/s to the Thai Government vet at Suvanabhumi airport (cargo area) to get the export certificate. Take all original documents with you as well as their vet health records. I've been told this could take at least half a day. Thonglor animal hospital and Ari vet can provide this service for a fee.

Relatively small room which was full of applicants with their pets many in their cages. Our cargo agent (whose office was round the corner) had taken a picture of the dogs in one of the cages to show they fitted in subject to the regulations (must be able to stand/turn around etc.). It seemed like organised chaos and I think would have been difficult without a Thai speaker to know what to do and when. I had to stay with my 2 dogs in the stairwell and another guy with a husky was outside the building.

From entering to leaving was probably only an hour to an hour and a half or so but some applicants who were there before me were still there when I left so it may pay to use a service of some kind.

 

9 hours ago, Dodgydownunder said:

after the first blood test, which starts from the date that the approved overseas lab receives the serum.

For other countries it is from when the sample is taken and is usually only 3 months but sample is taken one month after vaccination is given.

[avander]

11 hours ago, Dodgydownunder said:

If anyone is in the same boat as avander and I and would like to undertake the daunting task of sending your loved pets back to Australia ( or other destinations ) via Malaysia,  I have found an agent in Malaysia who I believe is a reliable stand up guy and not a rip off merchant like many of them are. His name is Petri Martenson (Scandinavian?) and his company's name is Petri's Pet Taxi. I got a very reasonable quote in Malaysian Ringgit from him for veterinary services during my cats' stay in Malaysia but am organising and paying for other things myself. He has been helpful and has answered a lot of questions I sent to him by email too. The Malaysian ringitt has also depreciated a lot recently against AUD helping to keep costs down.

 

His email is  [email protected]

 

He can handle anything from Malaysia onwards to Australian quarantine but you would need to do the following in Thailand first:

 

1. Make sure all vaccinations required by Australia and Malaysia (feline leukemia for cats) are done and registered up to date in their record book

2. Get a 15 digit ISO compatible microchip for your pet. Cerificate is required.

3. Arrange for your pet's first blood antibody test with microchip number registered 5-6 months before export to Australia. Cats need rabies test but not sure about dogs. Blood drawn anywhere in Thailand but test done ONLY in an approved overseas lab.. List of labs is on Australian Dept of Agriculture website.

4. Apply for and pay for the Australian import permit, valid for 12 months. (Will not be fully granted until successful 2nd overseas lab blood test results whilst in Malaysia) AUD $720 for 2 cats

5. Might be able to apply for provisional Australian quarantine space. I'm not sure. Am not up to this stage yet.

6. Get the Malaysian import permit from Petri (valid for one month) and ask him to book quarantine space (next to KL airport) for your pet's departure date .

6. About 4 days prior to departure to Malaysia take your pet/s to the Thai Government vet at Suvanabhumi airport (cargo area) to get the export certificate. Take all original documents with you as well as their vet health records. I've been told this could take at least half a day. Thonglor animal hospital and Ari vet can provide this service for a fee.

7.  Send your pets to Kuala Lumpur by either excess baggage with Malaysian/ Thai airlines if accompanying them or by an unaccompanied cargo consignment. Malaysian quarantine services will pick them up and Petri will take it from there. 7 days quarantine and at least 23 days of boarding in KL.

 

Sounds like a lot but you have alot of time to complete these things before leaving LOS as there is a 6 month wait for entry to Australia after the first blood test, which starts from the date that the approved overseas lab receives the serum.

Hope this information is helpful.

 

Thanks. Great info!  We're kept pretty busy so not sure of or a lot of time for all the ins and outs ourselves.

[Dodgydownunder]

6 hours ago, topt said:

Very good post.

A couple of comments for others -

Relatively small room which was full of applicants with their pets many in their cages. Our cargo agent (whose office was round the corner) had taken a picture of the dogs in one of the cages to show they fitted in subject to the regulations (must be able to stand/turn around etc.). It seemed like organised chaos and I think would have been difficult without a Thai speaker to know what to do and when. I had to stay with my 2 dogs in the stairwell and another guy with a husky was outside the building.

From entering to leaving was probably only an hour to an hour and a half or so but some applicants who were there before me were still there when I left so it may pay to use a service of some kind.

 

For other countries it is from when the sample is taken and is usually only 3 months but sample is taken one month after vaccination is given.

I read that one guy has been to the Govt vet at the airport a number of times to export pets. His strategy is to always arrive at 2:30pm so he has a maximum 2 hour or so wait. He has always been attended to by the vet.