Pet Information > ASK Experts > Travel with Pets > Dog to Turkey from the USA

Dog to Turkey from the USA

25 10:04:53

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I will be travelling back to Turkey from the States on the 15th of May.  What documents are required to bring my labrador with me?
Thank you very much for your time.
Regards...

ANSWER: From where in USA is your departure?  What airline?  Is it a direct non-stop flight to Turkey, or
might you stop somewhere in EU?
Since Turkey is NOT an EU member, this might be very important.
To Turkey direct, you will only need the APHIS 7001 international health cert issued within 10 days of travel, AND, endorsed by usda.  Also rabies vac at least 30 days old and less than one
year.  Be sure to have the rabies cert signed in ink by the vet.
If you just stop in EU country, you might need to meet the EU requirements as well.
This would mean, a microchip for the dog, and the EU form 998 in English and the language of the
EU country you stop in.  Not all EU countries are this strict.  This EU form must also be endorsed by usda.  This really does not add this much more to your trip, but should be considered
If you were to be more specific to me, then I could advise better.
By all means, take dog as excess baggage as opposed to cargo
Regards, Jerry

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Jerry, thank you very much for the info.
I will be flying from JFK in NY with Turkish Airlines and it will be a direct flight to Istanbul.  I got a little confused with your advise in regards to taking my dog as excess baggage. Could you please explain?

Also, with the "rabies vac at least 30 days old" condition, I may not be able to bring my dog into Turkey, unless I can talk the vet into providing me a back dated certificate, or talking the Turkish authorities into allowing him in...  I think I have a better chance figuring it out in Turkey, if you know what I mean...

Thank you again for your kind respond.

Regards, Okai.

Answer
You are telling me the dog has no previous rabies shots, and the first and only one will be less
than 30 days old at time of travel?
Do NOT expect the vet to back date the cert.  He could lose his license for this....
If the airline does their job correctly they would NOT allow the dog to fly without proper
credentials.  All this would occur before you had a chance to deal with Turkish authorities....
Nothing should be confusing about excess baggage.   This is the same as checked baggage.  You
would book this with the passenger reservation people of Turkish air.  Will be much cheaper than
cargo, and he would clear customs with you.  Ex bag pets fly in the very same compartment as
cargo pets.
Don't know what else to advise you.  Simply, the dog may need to travel by himself after 30 day
wait, as cargo.
Regards, Jerry