LAX MEL
Moving a dog from Los Angeles to Melbourne
In October 2026, I sent Bunny, a 12-year-old chihuahua, from Los Angeles, USA to Melbourne, Australia without a third-party pet transport service. I started this process one year before I intended her to fly, so there are long breaks between the dates listed below. This page lists every step I took, what it cost, and the details behind it.
At times I found the process confusing and stressful, mostly because it's outdated and isn't really set up for individuals moving their own pet, so I wanted to document it for anyone else trying to navigate it. My main recommendation: find a vet who has successfully done this before. Without that confidence, I wouldn't have done it.
- Minimum lead time
- ~6.5 months
- Bunny's total
- ~12 months
- Quarantine
- 10 days minimum
- Costs I have receipts for
- —
Step by step
Each step shows the rule from Bunny's import permit, including when it has to happen, and what I did.
Summary of activities and costs
Everything I paid for, in the order I paid it. Amounts come from invoices, receipts and the vet's written estimate. Vet and freight prices vary. Government fees are set by the department and change from time to time.
| Date paid | Activity | Paid to / source | Amount |
|---|