Here's what nobody tells you about Bhutan: the permits matter as much as the passport stamp. The Bhutan Food and Drug Authority runs imports, applies a twenty-one day rabies waiting period, and quarantines arriving animals. I learned to treat those lead times as fixed walls, not suggestions. Line the dates up early and the Himalayas are the only hard part.

Bringing a pet to Bhutan requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.

How Bhutan handles your pet

the animal must not be more than 42 days pregnant at the date of entry. Animals must be weaned (minimum of 60 days old).

Downloadable forms

Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.

Health & documents

Microchip · Required Yesverified 2026-08-28
Quarantine · Typehome_quarantineverified 2026-07-20
Quarantine · Required Yesverified 2026-08-28
Quarantine · Duration15 daysverified 2026-08-04
Quarantine · Pre-approval required Yesverified 2026-07-20
Quarantine · Reduced duration15 daysverified 2026-08-13
Quarantine · Approved facility required Yesverified 2026-08-14
Import permit · CostNu 300/- per permit for commercial and Nu 100/- per permit for individualsverified 2026-07-20
Import permit · Required Yesverified 2026-08-04
Import permit · Issuing authorityBhutan Food and Drug Authorityverified 2026-08-14
Import permit · Permit validity30 daysverified 2026-07-20
Import permit · Documents required to obtainvalid import permit issued by BFDA, zoo-sanitary certificate signed by the official veterinarian in the exporting countryverified 2026-07-20
Health certificate · Issuerofficial_vetverified 2026-07-20
Health certificate · Required Yesverified 2026-08-13
Health certificate · Endorsed byofficial veterinarianverified 2026-08-04
Health certificate · Government endorsed Yesverified 2026-07-20
Rabies vaccination · Required Yesverified 2026-07-25
Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination21 daysverified 2026-08-28

Other rules

Minimum age6 weeksverified 2026-08-13

Timing chain

Day -90 microchip implant · Day -21 rabies vaccine deadline · Day 0 arrive at customs

Bhutan requires a waiting period after the rabies vaccination before the animal travels. Vaccinate at least 21 days before the arrival date, and confirm the vaccine certificate shows the injection date clearly. A rabies shot given too close to departure resets the clock and can push the entire trip back by weeks.
Imported animals are subject to quarantine, and for commercial imports the stay runs 15 days at the designated quarantine station. Confirm whether the trip is classed as personal or commercial, because that classification decides the quarantine terms. Prepare for a possible 15-day hold and identify the assigned station before arrival in Bhutan.
The import permit carries a fee of Nu 100 per permit for individuals and Nu 300 per permit for commercial imports, valid for one month. Apply for the permit and budget the correct fee for your category before booking. A permit issued too early can lapse within its short validity, forcing a repeat application and fee.
Bhutan is strict but predictable once the permit, the 21-day rabies clock, and the quarantine window are mapped in order. Mochi judges the queue length, not the altitude, and a prepared file keeps that queue short. Drop your dates into a Pawgo plan and let the personalized plan track each permit fee and deadline through arrival.
Get YOUR personalized plan for Bhutan →

Glossary

ISO chip
ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
FAVN
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
Brachycephalic
Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
AVIH
Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.