Pet travel route
Dog or cat from the United States to Bahrain: the rules
Possible. There is no official waiting period for a dog, but you still need: vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit, rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate and cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section and 2 more.
Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 6 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- On this route: rabies blood test needed, import permit needed and tell the authority in advance.
- No quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
Limited official guidance. The authority for entering Bahrain publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Bahrain publishes only a short description of its cat and dog import permits (in the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture's 2024 services guide, in Arabic) and a list of documents on the Customs Affairs website. Neither says whether a microchip is needed, which vaccinations are required or how long before travel, the minimum result, laboratory or timing of the rabies blood test, how recent the health certificate must be, how long the permit is valid, or which countries pets may come from. Ask the Veterinary Quarantine Section (vetquarantine@mun.gov.bh, +973 17987039) before you book anything.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
No official wait
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
No official wait still means appointments: vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit, rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate and cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section and 2 more. Book them early; lab and paperwork times are not counted.
On this route (dogs)
- Rabies blood test needed
- Import permit needed
- No quarantine
- Tell the authority in advance
How early to start (cats)
No official wait
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
No official wait still means appointments: vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit, rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate and cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section and 2 more. Book them early; lab and paperwork times are not counted.
On this route (cats)
- Rabies blood test needed
- Import permit needed
- No quarantine
- Tell the authority in advance
Rule-change alertsChecked daily
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United States → Bahrain
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether the United States (leaving) or Bahrain (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
VaccinationEntering Bahrain
Vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit
Before it issues the permit, the Veterinary Quarantine Section checks your pet's vaccination booklet and that all required vaccinations are complete. The guide doesn't list the vaccinations or say how long before travel they must be given. Bahrain also asks for a rabies blood test, which is only meaningful for a pet vaccinated against rabies, so have your pet vaccinated against rabies and ask the section which other vaccinations it wants.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
Neither the ministry's guide nor Customs names rabies vaccination as such. We list it because the rabies blood test is asked for, and we mark it for confirmation.
“والتأكد من دفتر التطعيمات”
“وإكمال كافة التطعيمات المطلوبة”
Blood testEntering Bahrain
Rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate
Your pet needs a rabies blood test (a rabies antibody neutralisation test, RANAT), and its certificate is shown on arrival with the health certificate. Neither the ministry nor Customs says what result is needed, which laboratory to use or how long before travel the blood sample must be taken: ask the Veterinary Quarantine Section before you book the test.
Details and the official words
“عند الوصول شهادة صحية حكومية وشهادة منشأ وشهادة فحص دم عن مرض السعار”
“A blood test for rabies (RANAT)”
PermitEntering Bahrain
Cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section
Apply in person at the Veterinary Quarantine Section of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture (you, or someone holding your power of attorney if you aren't in Bahrain). Bring a copy of your pet's vaccination booklet and a copy of your ID card. The section checks the booklet and that all required vaccinations are complete, then issues the permit. The fee is 5 Bahraini dinars for a personal import. The guide gives no processing time or validity period, so apply well before you travel.
Details and the official words
Cats and dogs are separate permits (services 112 and 113 in the ministry's guide). The guide doesn't say whether one permit covers several animals.
Bahrain Customs says to contact the Veterinary Quarantine Section before importing a dog or cat. Email vetquarantine@mun.gov.bh or call +973 17987039 or 17987364.
“تصريح إستيراد قطط”
“تصريح إستيراد كلب”
“يجب على صاحب الطلب الحضور إلى قسم المحاجر البيطرية لطلب إصدار تصريح إستيراد كلب”
“نسخة من دفتر التطعيمات”
“صورة من بطاقة الهوية وصورة من السجل التجاري أو توكيل عن الشخص المستورد في حال عدم تواجده”
“5 دينار للشخصي”
“To contact the Veterinary Quarries Department before importing”
“vetquarantine@MUN.GOV.BH”
In the days before you travel
Vet examLeaving the United States
Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian
Only a USDA-accredited veterinarian can issue your pet's international health certificate. Tell them the destination, any transit countries, your departure date and whether the pet travels in the cabin or as cargo.
Details and the official words
“contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel”
PaperworkThe United States and Bahrain
Original government health certificate and certificate of origin
Your pet arrives with an original government health certificate from the country it comes from and an original certificate of origin, together with the rabies blood test certificate. The pages don't say how recent the health certificate must be or what it must state.
Details and the official words
USDA APHIS endorsement: Your accredited vet submits the certificate to USDA APHIS (usually electronically through VEHCS) for endorsement; the endorsement date counts as the issue date for the destination.
“عند الوصول شهادة صحية حكومية وشهادة منشأ وشهادة فحص دم عن مرض السعار”
“Importing live animals (dogs and cats)”
“An original government health certificate”
“An original certificate of origin”
“assist you through the process of obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate”
NoticeEntering Bahrain
Tell the Veterinary Quarantine Section when your pet arrives
Pets arriving with a traveller are controlled by the ministry's Veterinary Quarantine. Contact the section in advance and tell it the date and time of arrival, so the checks aren't delayed. No deadline is given.
Details and the official words
The Customs page still uses the ministry's older name (Ministry of Municipalities Affairs, Works and Urban Planning). Today it is the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture.
If this is missed: If you haven't arranged it, Customs contacts the Veterinary Quarantine and you must wait until its representative arrives and completes the procedures.
“Domestic animals accompanying the traveler are restricted and subject to the control of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs, Works and Urban Planning - Veterinary Quarantine.”
“The matter requires that the traveler or the importer coordinate in advance with the concerned parties in the regulatory authority and inform them of the date and time of arrival to prevent any delay in completing the necessary procedures.”
“In the event that the traveler or the importer does not coordinate, the customs will contact the regulatory authority, and the traveler or importer must wait until the representative of the control authority arrives and finish the necessary procedures.”
Good to know
- Bahrain Customs lists dog breeds that may not be imported, 'such as' Pit Bull, Mastiff, Tosa and Presa (Presa Canario). The list is given as examples, so check your dog's breed with the Veterinary Quarantine Section.
- The Veterinary Quarantine Section only issues a cat or dog import permit for pets from countries that Bahrain allows them to be imported from. The list of countries isn't published: ask the section before you plan the trip.
- Pets arriving with a traveller are controlled by the ministry's Veterinary Quarantine. Once its checks are done, Customs prepares a simplified customs declaration to finish clearance.
- USDA: destination requirements can change at any time — check them every time you travel.
Cats
Get ready
VaccinationEntering Bahrain
Vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit
Before it issues the permit, the Veterinary Quarantine Section checks your pet's vaccination booklet and that all required vaccinations are complete. The guide doesn't list the vaccinations or say how long before travel they must be given. Bahrain also asks for a rabies blood test, which is only meaningful for a pet vaccinated against rabies, so have your pet vaccinated against rabies and ask the section which other vaccinations it wants.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
Details and the official words
Neither the ministry's guide nor Customs names rabies vaccination as such. We list it because the rabies blood test is asked for, and we mark it for confirmation.
“والتأكد من دفتر التطعيمات”
“وإكمال كافة التطعيمات المطلوبة”
Blood testEntering Bahrain
Rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate
Your pet needs a rabies blood test (a rabies antibody neutralisation test, RANAT), and its certificate is shown on arrival with the health certificate. Neither the ministry nor Customs says what result is needed, which laboratory to use or how long before travel the blood sample must be taken: ask the Veterinary Quarantine Section before you book the test.
Details and the official words
“عند الوصول شهادة صحية حكومية وشهادة منشأ وشهادة فحص دم عن مرض السعار”
“A blood test for rabies (RANAT)”
PermitEntering Bahrain
Cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section
Apply in person at the Veterinary Quarantine Section of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture (you, or someone holding your power of attorney if you aren't in Bahrain). Bring a copy of your pet's vaccination booklet and a copy of your ID card. The section checks the booklet and that all required vaccinations are complete, then issues the permit. The fee is 5 Bahraini dinars for a personal import. The guide gives no processing time or validity period, so apply well before you travel.
Details and the official words
Cats and dogs are separate permits (services 112 and 113 in the ministry's guide). The guide doesn't say whether one permit covers several animals.
Bahrain Customs says to contact the Veterinary Quarantine Section before importing a dog or cat. Email vetquarantine@mun.gov.bh or call +973 17987039 or 17987364.
“تصريح إستيراد قطط”
“تصريح إستيراد كلب”
“يجب على صاحب الطلب الحضور إلى قسم المحاجر البيطرية لطلب إصدار تصريح إستيراد كلب”
“نسخة من دفتر التطعيمات”
“صورة من بطاقة الهوية وصورة من السجل التجاري أو توكيل عن الشخص المستورد في حال عدم تواجده”
“5 دينار للشخصي”
“To contact the Veterinary Quarries Department before importing”
“vetquarantine@MUN.GOV.BH”
In the days before you travel
Vet examLeaving the United States
Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian
Only a USDA-accredited veterinarian can issue your pet's international health certificate. Tell them the destination, any transit countries, your departure date and whether the pet travels in the cabin or as cargo.
Details and the official words
“contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel”
PaperworkThe United States and Bahrain
Original government health certificate and certificate of origin
Your pet arrives with an original government health certificate from the country it comes from and an original certificate of origin, together with the rabies blood test certificate. The pages don't say how recent the health certificate must be or what it must state.
Details and the official words
USDA APHIS endorsement: Your accredited vet submits the certificate to USDA APHIS (usually electronically through VEHCS) for endorsement; the endorsement date counts as the issue date for the destination.
“عند الوصول شهادة صحية حكومية وشهادة منشأ وشهادة فحص دم عن مرض السعار”
“Importing live animals (dogs and cats)”
“An original government health certificate”
“An original certificate of origin”
“assist you through the process of obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate”
NoticeEntering Bahrain
Tell the Veterinary Quarantine Section when your pet arrives
Pets arriving with a traveller are controlled by the ministry's Veterinary Quarantine. Contact the section in advance and tell it the date and time of arrival, so the checks aren't delayed. No deadline is given.
Details and the official words
The Customs page still uses the ministry's older name (Ministry of Municipalities Affairs, Works and Urban Planning). Today it is the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture.
If this is missed: If you haven't arranged it, Customs contacts the Veterinary Quarantine and you must wait until its representative arrives and completes the procedures.
“Domestic animals accompanying the traveler are restricted and subject to the control of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs, Works and Urban Planning - Veterinary Quarantine.”
“The matter requires that the traveler or the importer coordinate in advance with the concerned parties in the regulatory authority and inform them of the date and time of arrival to prevent any delay in completing the necessary procedures.”
“In the event that the traveler or the importer does not coordinate, the customs will contact the regulatory authority, and the traveler or importer must wait until the representative of the control authority arrives and finish the necessary procedures.”
Good to know
- The Veterinary Quarantine Section only issues a cat or dog import permit for pets from countries that Bahrain allows them to be imported from. The list of countries isn't published: ask the section before you plan the trip.
- Pets arriving with a traveller are controlled by the ministry's Veterinary Quarantine. Once its checks are done, Customs prepares a simplified customs declaration to finish clearance.
- USDA: destination requirements can change at any time — check them every time you travel.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in the United States publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
USDA APHIS health certificate endorsementLeaving United States160 USD
“Number of Pets Associated Fee per Certificate 0 Any $101 per certificate 1-2 1 $160 1-2 2 or more $160 for the first pet, plus $10 for each additional pet on the same certificate.”
Cost to endorse your pet's health certificate · as of 2026-06-18
Cat or dog import permit, personal importEntering Bahrain5 BHD
Government fees in total: 160 USD + 5 BHD (each currency separately)
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit15–29 USD
the United States: 4 published prices
- WesternU CVM Pet Health – Spay & Neuter Center (Los Angeles, CA): Rabies vaccine as a wellness service (wellness exam $40 required; prices effective 13 Jan 2025)15 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
- Sacramento SPCA (Sacramento, CA): Rabies vaccine for a dog (cats also $20) at a low-cost vaccine appointment20 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
- Humane Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, IN): Rabies vaccine (1-year); a wellness exam is required20 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
- Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin (Janesville, WI): Rabies vaccine: 1-year $21, 3-year $29 (3-year needs proof of current rabies vaccination); exam fee extra21–29 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
Rabies blood testan approved laboratory, through your vet · for: rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate528.27–695 USD
the United States: 2 published prices
- Boca Park Animal Hospital (Las Vegas, NV): Vet's total price for a FAVN rabies titer, sample sent via reference lab to Kansas State University (price as of 15 Apr 2025)528.27 USD · per test · read 2026-10-12
- The Pet Doctors of Sherman Oaks (Sherman Oaks, CA) – price sheet on the practice's JotForm: Vet's total price for a rabies serology (FAVN) test; exam $87 extra695 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
Rabies blood test: the lab’s own pricean approved laboratory; your vet adds the blood draw and the courier · for: rabies blood test (RANAT) certificatePrices from 8 countries
Austria: 1 published price
- AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety), Institute for Veterinary Investigations Mödling: Lab price for the rabies antibody titre test for pets (EU-recognised lab), samples sent from EU countries, 20% VAT included; transport to the lab paid by the sender97.26 EUR · per sample · read 2026-10-13
France: 2 published prices
- Laboratoire départemental de la Haute-Garonne (LD31 EVA): Lab price for the FAVN (WOAH/OMSA method) rabies antibody test, VAT included, price guaranteed until 31/12/2026 (from the lab's order form)99 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Inovalys (laboratory): Lab price only: rabies antibody titration (COFRAC accredited), ordered online by the owner; the page says the blood sample is taken by your vet and sending it to the lab is the owner's responsibility (no amounts given for those)99.18 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United Kingdom: 2 published prices
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats for pet travel (test code TC0712), single sample, excluding VAT72.30 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats, extended method (test code TC0570), single sample, excluding VAT106 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
Japan: 1 published price
- Research Institute for Animal Science in Biochemistry and Toxicology (RIAS, 一般財団法人生物科学安全研究所): Lab fee only: rabies antibody test at RIAS (a MAFF-designated lab), tax included, paid in advance by bank transfer; vet's blood draw and shipping not included15,000 JPY · per sample · read 2026-10-13
Poland: 1 published price
- National Veterinary Research Institute (PIWet-PIB), Puławy: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test, standard service (max 21 calendar days), electronic report only, gross (VAT included)280 PLN · per test · read 2026-10-13
Sweden: 1 published price
- Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA): Lab price for the FAVN rabies vaccination-check antibody test (article D142410), excluding VAT (exkl. moms)1,365 SEK · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United States: 1 published price
- University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for pet travel/export (University of Missouri VMDL One Health-Rabies Laboratory); shipping not stated79 USD · per test · read 2026-10-13
South Africa: 1 published price
- Agricultural Research Council – Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR): Lab price for the rabies neutralization (antibody) test per clear serum sample, VAT included; the price list does not name FAVN or RFFIT (ARC-Onderstepoort diagnostic price list, PDF created May 2026)2,030 ZAR · per clear serum sample · read 2026-10-13
Health certificate (vet’s fee)your vet · for: original government health certificate and certificate of origin289.50–1,250 USD
the United States: 6 published prices
- The Pet Doctors of Sherman Oaks (Sherman Oaks, CA) – price sheet on the practice's JotForm: International health certificate (Hawaii, Guam, all countries except Canada/Mexico); exam $87 and set-up consult ($165–$354) are extra; additional pet on the same certificate $265289.50 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
- Pittsfield Veterinary Clinic (Ann Arbor, MI): Completion of the international health certificate at the final IHC exam (planning time $50–$150 and required treatments billed separately)300 USD · per certificate · read 2026-10-12
- Clarendon Animal Care (Arlington, VA): International health certificate appointment (vet fee); USDA VEHCS submission/endorsement billed on top at $154–$355; $150 retainer at booking410 USD · per appointment · read 2026-10-12
- Polk Street Animal Hospital (San Francisco, CA): International health certificate appointment; excludes tests, medications, vaccines, treatments and USDA endorsement fees (Canada/Mexico certificate $170)750 USD · per appointment · read 2026-10-12
- Boca Park Animal Hospital (Las Vegas, NV): Health certificate all-in from $990: exam, certificate by USDA-accredited vet, USDA review/endorsement and overnight shipping (page on the practice's kinsta.page web host)990 USD · per certificate (starting price) · read 2026-10-12
- Meadowlands Veterinary Hospital – travel inquiry form on the practice's JotForm: International travel appointment incl. exam, USDA documents, USDA endorsement and shipment when required; vaccines/tests/treatments extra; $250 deposit (Canada/Mexico from $485)1,125–1,250 USD · per appointment (starting price) · read 2026-10-12
Vet examinationyour vet · for: use a USDA-accredited veterinarian25–87 USD
the United States: 4 published prices
- Humane Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, IN): Wellness exam: $25 spayed/neutered pet, $45 intact pet 1 year and older25–45 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
- WesternU CVM Pet Health – Spay & Neuter Center (Los Angeles, CA): Wellness exam (required for each pet)40 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
- Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin (Janesville, WI): Exam fee, taken as a non-refundable booking deposit of $46.42 ($44 + tax)44 USD · per appointment (plus tax) · read 2026-10-12
- The Pet Doctors of Sherman Oaks (Sherman Oaks, CA) – price sheet on the practice's JotForm: Exam required with health-certificate services (not charged on the new-patient consult, where the exam is included)87 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
If you need them Not official figures
Travel cratea pet shop or the airline139.99–269.99 USD
- Petmate (petmate.com): Petmate Sky Kennel, 28" (28 x 20.5 x 21.5 in), weight range 25-30 lbs as the page states; page says it complies with the IATA Live Animals Regulation (51st edition, 2025); manufacturer's own online store139.99 USD · read 2026-10-13
- Petmate (petmate.com): Petmate Sky Kennel, 40" (40 x 27 x 30 in), weight range 70-90 lbs as the page states; IATA LAR-compliant per the page; manufacturer's own online store269.99 USD · read 2026-10-13
Pet shipper, door to doora pet relocation company3,395–10,000 USD
- Starwood Pet Travel: Published starting price for relocating 1 pet (dog) from the USA to the UK with Starwood Pet Travel; the page calls it a starting estimate and says final costs vary3,395 USD · read 2026-10-13
- PetRelocation, Inc.: Published pricing example: door-to-door move of 1 small pet from the United States abroad with PetRelocation (Complete Relocation Support); the page says vet visits and a travel crate are not included5,975–10,000 USD · read 2026-10-13
- PetRelocation, Inc.: Published worked example: one small dog moving from the United States to Singapore with PetRelocation Complete Support, total of required costs plus service fee; the page calls these estimates based on typical cases7,500 USD · read 2026-10-13
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to the United States
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves the United States (dogs).
The trip back asks for 4 steps: CDC Dog Import Form, dog at least 6 months old, microchip and export health certificate from the Veterinary Quarantine Section.
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves the United States (cats).
The trip back asks for 2 steps: cat appears healthy on arrival and export health certificate from the Veterinary Quarantine Section.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- دليل خدمات وزارة شؤون البلديات والزراعة (Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture services guide, 2024): cat and dog import permits (services 112 and 113) and export health certificate (service 117)
- IM-2312-LIC: Animal Control Department, Quarries and Veterinary Control Department (Bahrain Customs Affairs)
- Personal Pets: importing live pets (Bahrain Customs Affairs)
- Take a pet from the United States to another country
- Pet travel from the United States to the United Kingdom
- Cost to endorse your pet's health certificate
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-12.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from the United States to Bahrain?
Yes: Your pet needs a rabies blood test (a rabies antibody neutralisation test, RANAT), and its certificate is shown on arrival with the health certificate.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Bahrain?
Yes: Apply in person at the Veterinary Quarantine Section of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture (you, or someone holding your power of attorney if you aren't in Bahrain).
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Bahrain?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for the United States to Bahrain?
There is no official waiting period for a dog, but you still need: vaccinations, including rabies, complete before the permit, rabies blood test (RANAT) certificate and cat or dog import permit from the Veterinary Quarantine Section and 2 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
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