Bringing your pet to Argentina? We’ve handled countless pet exports to South America — let us help with yours.
Moving a pet to Indonesia can feel overwhelming. The country has strict rules around vaccinations, rabies titers, and import permits, and certain regions, like Bali, have additional restrictions that can complicate travel.
This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process, from preparing your pet in the U.S. to arrival in Indonesia. Along the way, we’ll share insights from our experience coordinating complex pet relocations to help make your pet’s journey as stress-free as possible.
Eligible Pets and Country Restrictions
There is no nationwide breed ban on most domestic pets and live animals in Indonesia as long as they are over 90 days old and not pregnant. Some species of parrots are prohibited. Import rules depend on the country of origin and that country’s rabies status.
Eligible Pets
Indonesia does not enforce an official ban on any particular dog or cat breeds. Airlines may have their own rules that could affect your pet’s travel. Here’s a look at how some of the carriers we frequently use handle pets flying to Indonesia:
- KLM: Snub-nosed pets can’t fly in the hold on KLM passenger flights, though cargo options via Air France KLM Martinair Cargo are sometimes available. Extra-large dogs, such as Great Danes, may face additional restrictions.
- Lufthansa: Snub-nosed breeds aren’t allowed in the cargo hold on passenger flights. They may be accepted as air freight through Lufthansa Cargo. Dogs classified as “fighting breeds” need a reinforced crate to travel safely.
- Singapore Airlines: Snub-nosed breeds of cats and dogs are not allowed to fly as checked baggage. Certain strong-jawed breeds are also restricted. Pets are not allowed in the hold on Boeing 737-operated flights due to a lack of temperature controls.
Burmese, Himalayan, and Persian cats are typically on the list of snub-nosed cat breeds that face airline restrictions. Dog breeds that appear on many airlines’ lists as snub-nosed (brachycephalic) or strong-jawed include the following:
- Akita
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Boerboel
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer
- Brussels Griffon (Petit Brabancon)
- Bull Dogs
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chow Chow
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese Chin
- Lhasa Apso
- Mastiff
- Perro De Presa Canario
- Pug
- Shar-Pei
- Shih Tzu
- Tosa
Some strong-jawed breeds, like most mastiffs and bully breeds, may appear on both lists, as they overlap with snub-nosed varieties. Depending on your route, the airline may have additional restrictions on extra-large pets due to space requirements.
If your pet requires a reinforced crate, we provide custom-built CR82 crates designed with durable materials to ensure secure and safe travel.
Approved Countries
Indonesia as a whole does not ban pets from entry based on their country of origin. Still, certain regions within Indonesia maintain stricter controls to protect their local animal health status.
Provinces that are working to stay rabies-free or to limit the spread of the disease may prohibit the entry of dogs and cats from higher-risk countries such as the United States and Canada. Bali is the most well-known example.
While pets can be imported through approved entry points, like Jakarta, they cannot be brought directly into Bali from the U.S. due to the island’s ongoing rabies prevention measures.
Countries or regions confirmed to be rabies-free, such as Australia, Hawaii, and the United Kingdom, may be able to gain entry to rabies-free areas in Indonesia; however, this is not guaranteed.Given these regional variations and the complexity of onward movement within Indonesia, most travelers find it best to work with a pet relocation service, as well as a local broker. Both can work together to determine your best route and manage requirements upon arrival.
Planning an international flight for your pet? We can help.
Microchip and Vaccinations
Indonesia does not expressly require a microchip for all pets, but it’s effectively mandatory to meet Indonesian import regulations around rabies testing.
Microchip
All cats and dogs traveling to Indonesia should have an ISO-compliant microchip implanted before rabies vaccinations or blood tests. The microchip number must be listed on all relevant documents, including the import permit, veterinary health certificate, and vaccination records.
Vaccinations
A valid rabies vaccination is required for all pets entering Indonesia. The vaccination must be given at least 30 days before, but no more than one year before travel.
Indonesia does not mandate any additional vaccines before entry, but it’s essential that your pet is up to date on their core vaccinations when there is any risk of quarantine. For dogs, recommended vaccines include the following:
- Canine distemper
- Infectious canine hepatitis
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine parainfluenza
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
- Leptospirosis
The following vaccines are recommended by most vets for cats:
- Feline rhinotracheitis
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline panleukopenia (enteritis)
Blood Tests and Treatments
Pets arriving in Indonesia should do so with a valid rabies antibody titer test to confirm sufficient immunity against rabies. The test must show a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
Titers should be done only after vaccination and once antibodies have had time to develop, typically no more than 30 days post-vaccine. Blood sampling and testing must be completed at a certified laboratory.
Although not always strictly enforced, it is strongly advised that pets receive treatment for external parasites (ticks, fleas) and internal parasites before travel. Treatments should be documented on your pet’s health certificate.
Import Documents
Pets entering Indonesia must travel with a complete set of health and import documents issued and endorsed before departure.
Veterinary health certificates must be completed by a licensed veterinarian and then endorsed by your government’s animal health authority. For U.S. travelers, this is the USDA. Certificates must be issued within 5 days of your pet’s departure and confirm the following:
- No recent local rabies cases: Rabies has not been reported in the area where your pet has lived for the past 6 months.
- Continuous residency: Your pet has lived in the U.S. for at least 6 months before export.
- Healthy for travel: Your pet was examined within 5 days of the flight and was found to be healthy, with no signs of rabies or any other infectious or contagious diseases.
- Age and vaccination compliance: Your pet is at least 3 months old and has been vaccinated against rabies with a killed (inactivated) vaccine.
- Rabies titer test: Your pet received a rabies antibody titer test showing a result of 0.5 IU/ml or higher.
Arriving pets also need an import permit from Indonesia’s Directorate of Livestock Service and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture. Permits must be secured before travel and are typically valid for up to 30 days. Pet shippers generally apply on the owner’s behalf, and a local broker in Indonesia is often needed to complete the process.The import permit will list the approved port of entry, often Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Pets may not enter through airports or provinces not listed in the permit, especially regions with strict rabies-control policies.
Airline Options
Several airlines offer flights to Indonesia from the U.S., but they’re not equally pet-friendly. At Tailwind, we often work with Lufthansa or KLM, routing through Amsterdam or Germany. These airlines provide frequent flights and reliable handling for pets traveling internationally.
Another option is Singapore Airlines, which primarily serves Jakarta, with stops in Singapore before reaching your destination country. Choosing the most direct route is always best for your pet, but it can also depend on your pet’s breed, size, and any special requirements. Regardless of the airline, it’s important to review the carrier’s additional requirements once your itinerary is set. All carriers limit the number of pets per flight, enforce rules around crate size, and may impose seasonal or weather-related restrictions for certain breeds.
Customs Broker
Indonesia’s pet import requirements can be strict, and navigating them smoothly is best with local expertise. At Tailwind, we generally work with a customs broker or local partner on the Indonesian side. One of our trusted options for international pet shipping to Indonesia is Groovy Pets.
A broker can help ensure that all paperwork is in order, the import permit is properly processed, and your pet clears customs without delays or complications.
Quarantine
Pets arriving in Indonesia from the U.S. are subject to inspection by Indonesian quarantine officials upon arrival. If all import requirements are fully met, including a valid rabies vaccination, titer, health certificate, and an approved import permit, quarantine is generally not required. Pets are cleared through the designated port of entry.
That said, there is an inspection and possible quarantine component built into the Indonesian pet import process, especially for pets coming from rabies‑risk countries. Quarantines of up to 14 days may be imposed if any documentation is incomplete or if local authorities deem it necessary.
Because these rules can be complex and subject to change, working with professional pet transportation services that include a local customs broker is highly recommended. They can ensure your pet’s documents are in order and help navigate inspections to avoid delays.
Returning to the USA
Because Indonesia is classified by the U.S. as a high-risk rabies country, pets returning to the U.S. must follow additional CDC import requirements. For dogs, this includes submitting a CDC Dog Import Form receipt and providing one of the following:
- A Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination, or
- A Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination with a microchip, plus a rabies antibody titer from a CDC-approved laboratory.
If your dog does not have a valid titer before travel or a pet move, a reservation at a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility (ACF) in the U.S. is required. At the ACF, veterinarians will give your pet a U.S.-licensed rabies vaccine during a 28-day quarantine period.
Quarantine requirements also dictate the port of entry. Your dog must arrive at an airport with a CDC-registered facility. Kennel Club LAX is a common option for pets entering through Los Angeles.Cats are not subject to CDC rabies import restrictions when returning from high-risk countries, such as Indonesia, but airlines may still have specific rules regarding their international transport.
How Tailwind Can Help
At Tailwind, we guide pet owners through every step of pet travel or relocation, from initial planning to arrival at their new home.
For countries with complex requirements, like Indonesia, we take care of the details door-to-door, so you don’t have to worry about permits, health certificates, or airline restrictions. You can rest easy knowing your pet is in capable hands.
Ready to get started? Each pet relocation situation is different, so to get an idea of the costs involved, fill out a quote request.
See What Our Clients Have to Say
“Brady Wheeler with Tailwind Global Pet was incredibly helpful and responsive in walking us through transporting and moving our two Yorkies to Indonesia from California. The move was very stressful for the family. Still, Brady ensured that Asumi and Miki were well taken care of and informed us of every step of the move with pictures and the status of their flights and arrival in Indonesia. Tailwind Global Pet and their network of international partners were wonderful to work with; we will use them again when we return to the United States. Thank you, Brady!!!”
– Don H.
“We brought our two dogs in from SW Asia. Tailwinds was right with us all the way via email and text through the entire excruciating bureaucratic process. Thank you!”
– Steven B.
“We relocated from Southeast Asia and reached out to this Team here as part of the requirements needed from the CDC. I started reaching out June 29, flight is scheduled July 3, got a response June 30. And from there, it’s been a continuous, hassle free communication with Brady and Team! My husband and I are very grateful for their support and most importantly, for taking care of our 8-year old Chow Chow who travelled more than a day to get to US! We highly recommend Kennel Club LAX to any fur-parents like us! 💕”
– Rose P.