Can my pet fly on the Patriot Express?

Yes, if a pet space is open. Book it through your transportation office when you book your seat. Spaces are first come, first served, with two pets per family and up to 150 lb per pet and kennel. AMC won't accept pets when forecast temperatures at any airport on the route are too hot or too cold, and snub-nosed pets need a signed Risk Acknowledgement Document.

How much does the Patriot Express charge to fly a pet?

AMC charges $125 per kennel when the pet and kennel weigh up to 70 lb, $250 for 71–140 lb, and $375 for 141–150 lb. It won't take a pet and kennel over 150 lb.

Does the military pay to ship my pet on a PCS?

Partly. For PCS orders effective on or after January 1, 2024, uniformed service members can claim up to $550 for a move within the continental US and up to $2,000 for a move to or from an overseas duty station. It covers one dog or cat per move. Costs include shipping, microchipping, quarantine, boarding, hotel pet fees, licensing at the new station and titer tests. Up to $4,000 applies when leaving a high-risk rabies country with no Patriot Express or commercial option.

What if the Patriot Express can't take my pet?

Ship by commercial airline cargo, on your own booking or through a pet shipper. Ask your transportation office for a non-availability letter first. It is generally required to claim commercial shipping costs.

How early should I start for Japan or Okinawa?

At least 7 months before you arrive. Japan requires a microchip, two rabies shots at least 30 days apart, and a passing antibody test. You then wait 180 days from the blood draw and notify Japan at least 40 days before arrival. Pets that miss a step face up to 180 days of quarantine.

Do pets go into quarantine in Germany, Italy, Korea or the UK?

Not when the paperwork is right. Germany, Italy and the UK need a microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days old and a USDA-endorsed health certificate, with no titer test from the US. South Korea also requires a rabies antibody test of 0.5 IU/ml or higher. Otherwise the pet is likely quarantined at your expense.

Can my dog fly in the cabin to the UK?

No. Pets must enter Great Britain as manifest cargo on an approved airline, usually into Heathrow's Animal Reception Centre. Dogs also need a tapeworm treatment 1–5 days before arrival.

How long is Hawaii's wait after the FAVN test?

30 days, counted from the day after the lab receives the blood sample. Hawaii cut it from 120 days on August 31, 2018. The test must be 0.5 IU/ml or higher, the pet needs two lifetime rabies shots at least 30 days apart, and documents must reach the Animal Quarantine Station at least 10 days before arrival. Pets that qualify can be released at the Honolulu airport.

How much does it cost to ship a pet on an overseas PCS?

It depends on the destination, the pet's size and the route. Our typical range is about $2,000–$5,500 to Europe and about $2,800–$8,000 to Japan or South Korea, where the rules take longer. The DoD allowance covers up to $2,000 of it for most overseas moves.

What does my dog need to come back to the US?

Every dog entering the US needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a microchip, and must be at least 6 months old. Japan, South Korea, Germany, Italy and the UK are not CDC high-risk rabies countries, so that is usually all you need. Dogs coming from high-risk countries such as Turkey, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait or the Philippines need extra rabies documents.

Overseas PCS guide · Reviewed September 2026

Military pet shipping for an overseas PCS

The short answer

Try the Patriot Express first. Book pet spaces through your transportation office when you book your seat. Spaces are first come, first served, capped at two pets per family and 150 lb per pet and kennel.
Ship by commercial cargo when it can't take your pet. That happens when spaces are full, your pet is too heavy or snub-nosed, or no Patriot Express flies your route. Get a non-availability letter so the move stays reimbursable.
Start with the destination's rules. Japan needs at least 7 months from the first rabies shot. The EU and UK need about a month. Hawaii needs a passing rabies blood test before arrival.

Orders already in hand? Call 425-696-2424 or get a quote. We plan the pet's move backward from your report date. See our military pet relocation service.

Get an overseas PCS quote

Tell us your duty station and report date.

TripPetsContactReview

From *

To *

Departure Date *

PCS related?

Three ways to get your pet to an overseas duty station

Most families use the Patriot Express when a pet space is open. Commercial cargo is the fallback when it isn't, and the only option on routes the Patriot Express doesn't fly.

Patriot Express (AMC)

Pets that fit the limits, on routes it flies, when a pet space is open.

Book the pet space through your transportation office when you book your seat.
Spaces are first come, first served and open about 90–120 days before the flight.
Two pets per family. Each pet plus kennel can weigh up to 150 lb.
AMC charges $125 per kennel up to 70 lb, $250 for 71–140 lb, and $375 for 141–150 lb.

Watch out: AMC won't accept pets when forecast temperatures at any airport on the route are too hot or too cold, and snub-nosed pets need a signed Risk Acknowledgement Document. You arrange any connecting commercial flight yourself, and those cap the pet and kennel at 100 lb.

Commercial flight on your PCS orders

Families flying commercially who can book their pet on the same trip.

Delta Cargo currently ships pets only for active-duty service members and Foreign Service officers with PCS orders.
Airlines set their own temperature limits. Delta won't fly pets in cargo above 80°F or below 20°F.
Most airlines refuse snub-nosed dogs and cats in cargo.

Watch out: The UK only accepts pets as manifest cargo on approved airlines, so your pet can't fly in the cabin or as checked baggage to England.

Professional pet shipper

Full Patriot Express flights, large dogs, the UK, and tight report dates.

The shipper books airline cargo, the vet steps and the health certificate, and can deliver door to door.
Your pet can fly before you, with you, or after you, whichever fits your housing.
A non-availability letter from your transportation office generally keeps the cost reimbursable.

Watch out: It costs more than the Patriot Express, and the DoD allowance tops out at $2,000 for most overseas moves.

Entry rules and lead times for common duty stations

The destination's import rules set your timeline. Missing a step means quarantine, or a pet that can't fly until it's fixed. Rules for pets flying from the US, reviewed September 2026.

Japan and Okinawa

Kadena, Camp Foster, Yokosuka, Yokota, Misawa, Iwakuni, Sasebo

Start: 7 months or more before arrival. Japan has the longest timeline of any common duty station.

ISO microchip, implanted before the first rabies shot.
Two rabies vaccinations at least 30 days apart.
Rabies antibody (FAVN) test of 0.5 IU/ml or higher at a designated lab.
Wait 180 days from the blood draw before arriving.
Notify Japan's Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days before arrival.
Vet inspection within 10 days of departure and a USDA-endorsed health certificate.

If a step is missed: Quarantine for up to 180 days, or the pet is sent back.

Pet shipping to Japan

South Korea

Camp Humphreys, Osan, Kunsan, Daegu

Start: 2–3 months, to leave time for the rabies antibody test.

ISO microchip and a current rabies vaccination.
Rabies antibody test of 0.5 IU/ml or higher.
USDA-endorsed health certificate.
USFK installations require you to register the pet with the base vet clinic after arrival and restrict some breeds. Check your installation's rules.

If a step is missed: The pet is likely held in quarantine at your expense.

Pet shipping to South Korea

Germany

Ramstein, Spangdahlem, Stuttgart, Wiesbaden, Grafenwöhr, Vilseck

Start: 6 weeks or more if your pet needs a new rabies shot.

ISO microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Wait at least 21 days after a first rabies vaccination. No titer test from the US.
EU health certificate, endorsed by USDA within 10 days of arrival.
Germany bans importing Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers and their crosses.

If a step is missed: The pet can be refused entry or held at your expense.

Pet shipping to Germany

Italy

Aviano, Vicenza, Naples, Sigonella

Start: 6 weeks or more if your pet needs a new rabies shot.

ISO microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Wait at least 21 days after a first rabies vaccination. No titer test from the US.
EU health certificate, endorsed by USDA within 10 days of arrival.
Up to 5 pets per person on a non-commercial move.

If a step is missed: The pet can be refused entry or held at your expense.

Pet shipping to Italy

United Kingdom

RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Croughton

Start: 6 weeks or more if your pet needs a new rabies shot.

ISO microchip, implanted before or on the day of the rabies vaccination.
Wait at least 21 days after a first rabies vaccination. No titer test from the US.
Great Britain pet health certificate, endorsed by USDA within 10 days of arrival.
Dogs need a tapeworm treatment 1–5 days before arrival.
Pets must arrive as manifest cargo on an approved airline, usually into Heathrow.

If a step is missed: The pet can be quarantined or refused entry at your expense.

Pet shipping to the UK

Hawaii

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, MCB Hawaii

Start: About 3 months, or about 2 if your pet already has two rabies shots.

Microchip and at least two lifetime rabies vaccinations at least 30 days apart, the latest at least 30 days before arrival.
FAVN rabies test of 0.5 IU/ml or higher at an approved lab. DoD beneficiaries can use the DoD lab.
Wait 30 days after the lab receives the sample.
Documents must reach the Animal Quarantine Station at least 10 days before arrival.
Direct airport release in Honolulu costs $185. Kona, Kahului and Lihue need a $165 permit and documents 30 days ahead.

If a step is missed: Quarantine for up to 120 days.

Pet shipping to Hawaii

Not listed? We ship to most countries with US bases.

PCS pet timeline, counted back from your report date

As soon as you have orders
Ask your transportation office for a Patriot Express pet space and get a commercial quote as a backup. For Japan, get the microchip and first rabies shot now.
3 months out
Hawaii and Korea: draw the rabies antibody test so results and Hawaii's 30-day wait finish in time.
6 weeks out
EU and UK: make sure the rabies vaccination is at least 21 days old by travel day. Order and size the travel kennel.
40 days out
Japan: send the advance notification to the Animal Quarantine Service. Ask for a non-availability letter if the Patriot Express can't take your pet.
10 days out
Vet exam, health certificate and USDA endorsement. Hawaii's documents must already be at the Animal Quarantine Station.

Service family with their dog preparing a travel kennel for an overseas PCS

What the DoD pet allowance covers

$550

Move within the continental US

$2,000

Move to or from an overseas duty station

$4,000

Leaving a high-risk rabies country when no Patriot Express or commercial option exists

Uniformed service members with PCS orders effective on or after January 1, 2024 can claim it. It covers one dog or cat per move.
It reimburses shipping, microchipping, quarantine, boarding, hotel pet fees, pet licensing at the new station and titer tests. Keep every receipt.
Ask your transportation office about the Patriot Express first. A non-availability letter is generally required to claim commercial shipping.

How to file the pet allowance claim

Overseas PCS with pets: common questions

“Best Pet Travel made my military relocation to Germany smooth and stress-free.”

Julieta C. · Military relocation to Germany · More customer stories

Sources

Rules change. We checked these official sources on September 2026; confirm with your transportation office and the destination before you book.