Bringing a pet to Nepal

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

Nepal's pet import rules are uniform for dogs, cats, and ferrets, regardless of the animal's rabies-risk origin. The process is moderately strict: you need a microchip, rabies vaccination (at least 30 days old), a health certificate, and an import permit. Quarantine is not routine for compliant pets, but expect inspections at entry.

Requirements for your pet

Nepal applies the same dog import rules regardless of where your pet is travelling from.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA, DEFRA) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of administration
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by an official government veterinarian
  • Microchip documentation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No additional requirements for rabies-free origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA, DEFRA) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of administration
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by an official government veterinarian
  • Microchip documentation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No additional requirements for low-risk origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA, DEFRA) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of administration
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by an official government veterinarian
  • Microchip documentation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No additional requirements for high-risk origins, though customs may inspect more thoroughly.

Frequently asked questions

No, Nepal does not require a rabies titer (FAVN) test for dogs from any origin. A valid rabies vaccination with a 21-day wait after the primary shot is sufficient.
Nepal does not specify a strict limit for non-commercial pet imports, but bringing more than 2–3 dogs may trigger commercial import rules. Check with the Department of Livestock Services in Kathmandu for guidance on larger numbers.
No, Nepal does not grant exemptions for emotional support or service dogs. All dogs must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the dog's arrival in Nepal and endorsed by an official government veterinarian in the origin country.
No, the rabies vaccination cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, and a 21-day wait is required after vaccination. This means the minimum age for entry is about 15 weeks (12 weeks + 21 days).
No, Nepal does not require an import permit for non-commercial pet dogs. A health certificate and rabies vaccination record are the main documents needed.
Your dog may be denied entry, quarantined at your expense, or returned to the origin country. Ensure all requirements are met before travel to avoid delays or refusal.

Nepal applies the same cat import rules regardless of where your pet is travelling from.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of administration)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)
  • Valid passport or travel document for the pet (if applicable)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. No titer test or import permit required for this tier.

Nepal does not require a rabies titer test or import permit for cats from rabies-free origins. No quarantine upon arrival. Ensure all documents are in English or accompanied by a certified Nepali translation.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of administration)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)
  • Valid passport or travel document for the pet (if applicable)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. No titer test or import permit required for this tier.

Nepal does not require a rabies titer test or import permit for cats from low-risk origins. No quarantine upon arrival. Ensure all documents are in English or accompanied by a certified Nepali translation.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of administration)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)
  • Valid passport or travel document for the pet (if applicable)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: Microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. No titer test or import permit required for this tier.

Nepal does not require a rabies titer test or import permit for cats from high-risk origins. No quarantine upon arrival. Ensure all documents are in English or accompanied by a certified Nepali translation.

Frequently asked questions

Nepal does not publish a specific numeric cap for non-commercial cat imports. In practice, bringing more than 2 cats may raise suspicion of commercial intent. Contact the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) in Kathmandu for a definitive answer before travel.
No. Nepal does not have a separate category for emotional support animals or service cats. All cats entering Nepal must follow the same standard import requirements regardless of their role.
No. Nepal does not require a rabies titer test (FAVN) or an import permit for cats from any origin, including high-risk countries. You only need a microchip, rabies vaccination (given at least 21 days before travel), and a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival.
Nepal does not set a minimum age for cats. However, the rabies vaccination must be given at 12 weeks of age or older, and you must wait 21 days after that vaccination before travel. So the earliest a kitten can enter is about 15 weeks old.
No. An ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip is mandatory for all cats entering Nepal. It must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
No. Nepal does not impose quarantine on cats from any origin, provided all documentation is in order. Your cat can go home with you immediately upon arrival.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of your arrival in Nepal. If it expires during transit, you may be denied entry or face delays. Plan your vet visit so the certificate is valid on the day you land.

Nepal applies the same ferret import rules regardless of where your pet is travelling from.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing vaccine given at 12 weeks or older, and at least 21 days before travel)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip implantation

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No import permit needed. No quarantine upon arrival.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing vaccine given at 12 weeks or older, and at least 21 days before travel)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip implantation

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No import permit needed. No quarantine upon arrival.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing vaccine given at 12 weeks or older, and at least 21 days before travel)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip implantation

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No import permit needed. No quarantine upon arrival. Nepal does not require a rabies titer test for ferrets from any origin.

Frequently asked questions

No. Nepal does not require a rabies titer test for ferrets from any origin country. A valid rabies vaccination certificate and health certificate are sufficient.
No. Ferrets arriving from any origin are not subject to quarantine upon arrival in Nepal, provided all documentation is in order.
Nepal does not publish a specific limit for non-commercial pet ferret imports. Generally, up to 2-3 ferrets per person is considered personal. If you bring more than 5, customs may treat it as a commercial shipment requiring additional permits. Check with the Department of Livestock Services before travel.
No. Nepal does not recognise emotional support or service animals as exempt from standard import requirements. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate rules regardless of their role.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the date of arrival in Nepal. It must be signed by an official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian.
No. The rabies vaccination must be given at 12 weeks of age or older, and the ferret must be at least 15 weeks old at the time of travel (12 weeks minimum age for vaccine plus 21 days waiting period). Ferrets under 12 weeks cannot be vaccinated and therefore cannot meet the entry requirements.
No. Nepal does not require an import permit for ferrets from any origin. The required documents are a rabies vaccination certificate, a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, and proof of microchip.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip before rabies vaccination. The import permit must be obtained from Nepal's Department of Livestock Services prior to travel.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Nepal, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Nepal's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.