Rabies antibody test and documents for travelling abroad with a pet We help prepare your pet for travelling abroad
We check the veterinary passport and vaccination, arrange testing in an EU laboratory and obtain the official certificate required for travel.
Not sure where to start? Message or call us โ together we will create a clear plan of action.
Planning to travel abroad with your pet?
Send us a photo of the veterinary passport and tell us the countries of departure, destination and transit. We will check the details and explain what to do next.
What you need to know before travelling
Would you like to submit samples for testing?
Receive the requirements for collecting, preparing and shipping samples, or discuss ongoing cooperation with Airix Engineering.
Information for veterinary clinics
What do you need to prepare for travelling abroad with a pet?
Before travelling, please check:
- whether the pet has a microchip;
- whether the veterinary passport has been completed correctly;
- whether the rabies vaccination is valid;
- whether a rabies antibody test is required;
- which veterinary documents are required to cross the border.
Requirements vary depending on the route.
Send us a photo of the veterinary passport and tell us where you are travelling from and to. We will check the documents and advise you on what to do next.
What is a rabies antibody titre?
After vaccination, a dog or cat produces antibodies against rabies. The laboratory measures the amount of these antibodies in the blood. The resulting value is called the titre.
Simply put, the test checks: whether the vaccination has worked and whether there are enough antibodies for international travel.
For entry into the EU and most countries worldwide, the required antibody level is at least 0.5 IU/ml.
This is not a test for the disease and not a new vaccination โ it is official confirmation of the animalโs immune response to vaccination.
How the rabies antibody test works
- Microchip and vaccination. The pet must have a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination. The details are entered in the veterinary passport.
- Time after vaccination. For some countries, a specified period must elapse before blood is drawn. Requirements depend on the country and route.
- Blood collection. The veterinary clinic draws blood and prepares the serum for testing.
- Sample testing. The laboratory measures the antibody level and determines whether the result meets the requirements of the destination country.
- Result and certificate. The owner receives an official laboratory result containing the petโs details and microchip number.
How Airix Engineering helps
We check the requirements for your country and route, as well as the documents, microchip and vaccination. We arrange delivery of the sample to the laboratory and manage the process until the official result is received.
Tell us where and when you plan to travel with your pet โ we will review your situation and advise you on the next steps.
When is a titre test required?
Whether a rabies antibody titre test is required depends on the requirements of:
- the country of departure;
- the destination country;
- transit countries.
When can blood be drawn for titre testing?
The timing of the blood draw depends on the requirements of the destination country. For some countries, blood may be drawn no earlier than 30 days after rabies vaccination.
A mandatory waiting period may also apply between the blood draw and entry with the pet.
Send us a photo of the veterinary passport and your route โ we will check the time requirements and determine a suitable test date.
What should the clinic prepare before sending a sample?
Before drawing blood, the clinic must:
- scan the microchip and verify its number against the veterinary passport;
- check the rabies vaccination details;
- determine the permitted blood collection date;
- correctly record the petโs and ownerโs details;
- prepare and label the sample in accordance with the instructions.
Airix Engineering provides the requirements for preparing the sample and documents and, where necessary, coordinates the process with the veterinarian.
What does the antibody titre test show?
The test determines the level of rabies virus-neutralising antibodies after vaccination. The result is expressed as a numerical value in IU/ml.
For international travel, the laboratory result is assessed against the requirements of the specific route. When the test is mandatory for entry, a value of at least 0.5 IU/ml is often required.
This is not a diagnosis of rabies, but confirmation of the animalโs immune response to vaccination.
Airix Engineering arranges testing at a specialised laboratory and obtains the official result.
How a sample is handled
- Data verification. The clinic verifies the microchip, veterinary passport and vaccination details.
- Blood collection. Blood is drawn on the agreed date, taking the route requirements into account.
- Serum preparation. The sample is centrifuged, the serum is separated and the sample is labelled.
- Handover to Airix Engineering. We coordinate collection and international shipment of the sample.
- Testing and result. The laboratory performs the test, after which the clinic receives the official result.
Before the blood draw, we will send the clinic current instructions for preparing, labelling and storing the sample.
When is a titre test required?
The need for testing is determined by the requirements of:
- the country of departure;
- the destination country;
- transit countries.
It is important to check the petโs entire route before arranging the test.
Send Airix Engineering the clientโs route โ we will help determine whether a laboratory test is required.
When should the clinic draw blood?
The blood collection date depends on the requirements of the destination country and route. For some destinations, blood may be drawn no earlier than 30 days after rabies vaccination.
Before the procedure, the vaccination date, its validity and the microchip number in the veterinary passport must be checked.
Send us the details before the blood draw โ we will check the time requirements and confirm a suitable date.
Official requirements by countryEuropean Union, Germany, Poland and other destinations โ links to official sources.Open the country listCollapse the country list
Pet import rules depend on the country of departure, destination country and transit countries. Direct links to official government sources are provided below.
๐ Another country?
Cannot find the country you need? Tell us the country of departure, destination country and transit countries. We will check the current requirements for your route.
๐ฌ Check the requirementsFrequently asked questions
How much does a rabies antibody titre test cost?
Prices start from KZT 160,000. The final price depends on the city, veterinary clinic, sample logistics and any additional services selected.
Contact us for an exact quotation. We will clarify the details and prepare a free, personalised, no-obligation offer for you.
How long does the entire process take?
Tell us the destination country and expected travel date in advance. The timeframe depends on the route, the clinic and laboratory, sample delivery and whether a paper original of the result is required.
Below are two examples of our estimated timeframes for arranging the test from the date of the blood draw. They do not replace mandatory waiting periods for entry.
๐ช๐บ Example: travel to Europe
Approximately 6 weeksAllow approximately 6 weeks from the blood draw to arrange the test, deliver the sample to the laboratory and receive the completed result.
We check the document format and permitted entry date separately for the specific country and route.
๐จ๐ณ Example: travel to China
Approximately 8 weeks: 6 + 2In addition to the main timeframe of approximately 6 weeks, allow about 2 more weeks for postal delivery of the paper original from the laboratory to Kazakhstan.
The original rabies antibody test report and a copy must be presented to Chinese customs. Therefore, in this example, preparation includes obtaining the paper original.
Official information on presenting the original โImportant: the time needed for testing and document delivery is not the same as the time until entry is permitted. Mandatory waiting periods for your route are considered separately; they may run concurrently with testing and delivery.
Six and eight weeks are planning estimates, not guaranteed timeframes. We provide a precise estimate based on the veterinary clinic, laboratory and postal services involved.
Please note: the stated timeframes (6โ8 weeks) are estimates and depend on third-party veterinary services, couriers and laboratories. We recommend starting preparations early.
How long is the test result valid?
For travel to the EU, a positive antibody titre test result usually does not need to be repeated if rabies vaccination is maintained without interruption and every subsequent booster is administered before the previous vaccination expires.
It is therefore important to avoid any gap between vaccinations and to retain the veterinary passport and laboratory certificate.
What should I do if the result is below 0.5 IU/ml?
A result below 0.5 IU/ml means that the level of neutralising antibodies has not reached the required threshold for countries and routes where a titre test is required.
In this situation, the result should be discussed with a veterinarian. Depending on the petโs vaccination history, age and condition, the veterinarian may recommend a booster vaccination, after which the test is repeated in accordance with the required time intervals.
Airix Engineering will help arrange a repeat test and adjust the subsequent travel preparation plan.
Still have questions or are not sure where to start?
Message us on WhatsApp or call us โ we will review your situation, check the documents and advise you on the next step.
Airix Engineering is an independent service that organises laboratory testing and logistics. The final decision on entry permission is always made by the official veterinary authorities of the destination country.