“I made a spreadsheet of every airline's pet policy before booking.”
Meet all guides →
Can You Bring Your Pet to Indonesia?
Yes, both dogs and cats are allowed to be imported into Indonesia. However, the process is highly regulated and requires careful planning, proper documentation, and advance preparation. This guide walks you through every requirement and timeline to ensure a smooth import for your furry companion.
Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture oversees pet imports and enforces strict health and safety standards. The good news: with full compliance, quarantine can be waived entirely. The challenge: the process involves multiple steps spread across several months.
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Microchip: ISO 11784/11785 standard (must be done before vaccination)
- Rabies vaccination: Required, with booster
- Rabies titer test: Minimum 0.5 IU/ml from an approved laboratory
- Health certificate: Valid for 10 days only, issued by accredited vet
- Tapeworm treatment: Praziquantel, given 24–120 hours before arrival
- Import permit: From Ministry of Agriculture (30-day lead time)
- Quarantine: 30 days standard, but waivable with full documentation
- Approved ports of entry: Jakarta, Surabaya, or Bali
Step-by-Step Timeline (Working Backwards from Departure)
4–5 Months Before Travel
Start here. Contact Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture to confirm current regulations and breed restrictions. Breed restrictions may apply—verify your specific breed with Indonesian authorities before proceeding.
- Schedule a consultation with your veterinarian to review all requirements
- Confirm your pet is healthy enough to travel
- Begin researching approved quarantine facilities in Indonesia (if needed)
3–4 Months Before Travel
Get your pet microchipped. This must happen before any rabies vaccination.
- Visit your accredited veterinarian
- Have your pet implanted with an ISO 11784/11785 microchip
- Record the microchip number—you'll need it for all documents
- Request written confirmation of the microchip implantation
3 Months Before Travel
Administer first rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination.
- Schedule with your accredited veterinarian
- Ensure the vaccine is documented with date, lot number, and veterinarian signature
- Wait a minimum of 30 days after this vaccination before the titer test
2 Months Before Travel
Order the rabies titer test. This test must be performed at least 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination.
- Contact an approved laboratory (your vet can recommend one)
- Arrange for a blood sample to be drawn and tested
- The result must show a minimum of 0.5 IU/ml
- Request the original test results with laboratory letterhead
6–8 Weeks Before Travel
Apply for the import permit. Allow 30 days for processing.
- Contact Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture
- Submit required documentation (exact requirements vary—confirm with the ministry)
- Pay any applicable fees
- Receive your import permit number and validity period
2 Weeks Before Travel
Schedule the health certificate. This document is valid for only 10 days, so timing is critical.
- Contact your accredited veterinarian
- Schedule the health certificate exam for 7–10 days before your departure
- Confirm the vet can issue an original certificate (not a copy)
- Ask if the certificate will be endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS for United States, APHA for United Kingdom, CFIA for Canada)
1 Week Before Travel
Confirm all documentation is in order.
- Verify you have the original health certificate (not a photocopy)
- Check that the health certificate is dated within 10 days of your arrival in Indonesia
- Confirm your import permit is still valid
- Review the titer test results one more time
- Notify your airline of your pet's travel (check specific airline requirements)
24–120 Hours Before Arrival
Administer tapeworm treatment. This is a strict window—too early or too late will cause problems at customs.
- Visit your veterinarian 1–5 days before departure
- Administer Praziquantel (the approved tapeworm treatment)
- Request written documentation of the treatment, date, and dose
- Do not exceed 120 hours (5 days) before arrival
At Arrival in Indonesia
Veterinary inspection at port of entry. Your pet will be inspected at one of three approved ports: Jakarta, Surabaya, or Bali.
- Present all original documents to customs and veterinary officials
- Your pet will undergo a health inspection
- If all documentation is complete and correct, quarantine may be waived
- If documentation is incomplete, your pet may be quarantined for up to 30 days in an approved facility
Documents Checklist
Before you travel, ensure you have originals (not photocopies) of:
- Microchip certificate – Proof of ISO 11784/11785 implantation with microchip number
- Rabies vaccination certificate – Original, with date, lot number, and veterinarian signature
- Rabies titer test results – Original laboratory report showing ≥0.5 IU/ml, from an approved lab
- Health certificate – Original, issued by accredited vet, dated within 10 days of arrival, ideally endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority
- Tapeworm treatment documentation – Veterinary record of Praziquantel administration with date and dose
- Import permit – Original permit from Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture
- Microchip registration – Proof that the microchip is registered (some countries require this)
- Airline pet documentation – Booking confirmation and any airline-specific health forms
Keep all documents in a single folder and bring both originals and one set of photocopies to the airport.
Quarantine: What You Need to Know
Indonesia requires a standard quarantine period of 30 days in an approved facility. However, this can be waived entirely if all documentation is complete and correct.
- Standard quarantine: 30 days in an approved facility
- Reduced/waived quarantine: 0 days with full compliance
- Type: If required, quarantine must be in an approved facility
To avoid quarantine, ensure every document is original, properly dated, and endorsed where required. Missing or incomplete paperwork will trigger the full 30-day quarantine.
Approved Ports of Entry
Your pet must enter Indonesia through one of three approved ports:
- Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta International Airport)
- Surabaya (Juanda International Airport)
- Bali (Ngurah Rai International Airport)
All pets undergo veterinary inspection at the port of entry. Plan your arrival accordingly and notify customs in advance if possible.
Breed Restrictions
Breed restrictions may apply in Indonesia. Verify your specific breed with Indonesian authorities before proceeding with import. Contact the Ministry of Agriculture or your nearest Indonesian embassy for current breed restriction lists.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Microchipping after vaccination: The microchip must come first. Reverse order will invalidate your documentation.
- Waiting less than 30 days for the titer test: The test must be performed at least 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination. Earlier tests are invalid.
- Using a non-approved laboratory for the titer test: Only approved laboratories are accepted. Confirm with your vet before ordering.
- Issuing the health certificate too early: It's valid for only 10 days. Schedule it for 7–10 days before departure, not earlier.
- Administering tapeworm treatment at the wrong time: The 24–120 hour window is strict. Too early or too late will cause delays or rejection.
- Forgetting the import permit: Apply 30 days in advance. Last-minute applications may not be processed in time.
- Using photocopies instead of originals: Indonesian customs requires original documents. Photocopies are not accepted.
- Not confirming government endorsement of the health certificate: While not always explicitly required, endorsement by your country's government veterinary authority strengthens your application.
Practical Tips for Success
- Start early: Begin the process 4–5 months before your planned departure. This gives you time to handle delays or complications.
- Work with an experienced vet: Choose a veterinarian familiar with international pet imports. They'll know which laboratories are approved and how to properly document everything.
- Keep digital copies: Scan all documents and email them to yourself. If originals are lost, you'll have backups.
- Contact the Ministry of Agriculture: Don't rely solely on this guide. Regulations change, and the ministry can provide the most current requirements.
- Plan your arrival port: If you have a choice, consider which of the three approved ports (Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali) is most convenient for your final destination in Indonesia.
- Budget for quarantine: Even though it may be waived, have funds available in case documentation issues require a stay in an approved facility.
Next Steps
Ready to bring your pet to Indonesia? Start by contacting your veterinarian and Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture. For a personalized travel plan tailored to your pet's specific needs, get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo.
Note: This guide is based on verified data from official government sources current as of April 2026. Requirements can change. Always confirm current regulations with Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture or your nearest Indonesian embassy before finalizing travel plans.
Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 23, 2026