PCSing OCONUS with pets comes with a lot of decision making, and one of the biggest decisions you will face is how your pet gets to Bahrain. There are no right or wrong answers, and every family will need to decide what works best for them and their animals. The good news is that as of January 2024, the DoD now reimburses up to $2,000 for pet relocation costs on OCONUS PCS orders, making this a little easier on the wallet. More on that below.
There are three main options for getting your pet to Bahrain, listed here by typical cost.
Real Talk: Just Take the AMC
Before we get into options, let us be direct: if you are bringing pets to Bahrain, do everything in your power to get on the AMC Patriot Express. Full stop.
The NSA Bahrain Veterinary Treatment Facility says it plainly in their own guidance: AMC does not participate in the heat embargo that runs mid-April through October in Bahrain, and AMC does accept pets in-cabin. Commercial pets, by contrast, must arrive as manifested cargo, are subject to additional customs clearance costs on arrival, and are restricted by most airline heat embargoes during the hottest months of the year. The difference in friction is significant, and when you are jetlagged, traveling with kids, and have animals on board, friction is the last thing you want.
Here is what the actual AMC arrival process looks like when you come in with pets:
When you land, you will be directed to a separate side of the airport. Your pet will be offloaded and taken to a holding warehouse. You board a bus to the main terminal, clear customs, and collect your baggage like any other arriving passenger. Your sponsor, who should have already gone to the Ministry on your behalf to obtain the official stamped import paperwork, will meet you inside.
Once you have your bags and your sponsor has the stamped paperwork in hand, you will drive around the airport to the import office. A Ministry vet will review your pet's records, the health certificate, and the stamped paperwork and will walk through everything with you in an interview-style process. Plan for this to take a while. If you can get there before other families, do it.
A few things to know before you go. The import office is not a polished government building. It is a hot, older metal structure and the wait can be uncomfortable, especially in summer. Children are not permitted through the gate at the import office. Having your sponsor drive you over and stay outside with your kids and baggage while you go in is not just helpful, it is the practical move. Your sponsor is the person who physically went to the Ministry to get that stamped paper, so having them present makes the whole process smoother. Once the vet clears your pet, you are done and your animal comes home with you.
Option 1: AMC Patriot Express (most affordable)
The AMC Patriot Express, also called the rotator, is a commercial charter flight contracted by the DoD to move military families to and from overseas duty stations. For families PCSing to Bahrain, the Patriot Express departs from NS Norfolk Passenger Terminal on a bi-weekly schedule directly to Bahrain. With the recent closure of routes through southern Europe including Rota, Sigonella, and Greece, the Norfolk to Bahrain route is now the primary Patriot Express channel for CENTCOM families. You can view the NSA Bahrain Passenger Terminal page for the 30-day schedule and current flight information.
Important things to know about flying your pet on the AMC:
Pet spaces are limited, booked on a first-come, first-served basis, and should be requested as early as possible. Spaces are available for booking 90 to 120 days prior to departure. You do NOT need orders in hand to get on the waitlist. Contact your local PTO or Installation Transportation Office as soon as you have a general timeframe for your move.
If you receive a pet space, make sure your pet is listed on your official travel itinerary. If your pet does not appear on the itinerary, you do not have confirmed pet space.
A signed Risk Acknowledgement Document (RAD) from the pet owner is now mandatory before booking pet space in GATES. Check with your transportation office to make sure this step is completed before ticketing opens.
For full details on kennel requirements, documentation, and check-in procedures, visit the AMC Pet Travel Page.
Option 2: Commercial Airlines
If AMC pet space is not available, you may be eligible to receive an exception to policy to fly commercial. Important note from the NSA Bahrain VTF: all pets arriving commercially must come as manifested cargo, not in-cabin or as checked baggage. This requires the use of a pet shipping company and incurs significantly more cost. Pets arriving via commercial aircraft are also subject to additional customs clearance procedures and costs on arrival.
Be sure to research airline policies carefully, particularly around kennel size and weight limits, snub-nosed breed restrictions, and seasonal heat embargoes. Most airlines restrict pet cargo during Bahrain's heat season, which generally runs mid-April through October.
Option 3: Professional Pet Shipper
For large dogs that exceed AMC weight limits, brachycephalic breeds restricted from commercial flights, or families whose schedules do not align with the AMC rotation, a professional pet shipper is a solid option. Licensed, professional shippers can handle the ins and outs of getting your pet overseas safely. Prices range widely depending on your route and pet, but you can expect to pay in the thousands. Always verify credentials and licensing before booking.
Vet Requirements: What You Need Before You Go
Start this process 3 to 4 months before your arrival date. There is no wiggle room on the timeline, and missing a step can mean your pet is returned to the point of origin at your expense. Bahrain has no quarantine facilities for privately owned animals.
The NSA Bahrain Veterinary Treatment Facility is your first point of contact. Email your pet's vaccination records, a copy of your orders, and their importation checklist to [email protected] as early as possible.
Step 1: Microchip
Your pet must have a 15-digit ISO Standard 11784 microchip, readable by an ISO Standard 11785 scanner at 134.2 kHz frequency. Bahrain does not recognize the 10-digit microchips sometimes used in the US, so your pet may need an additional chip implanted. The microchip number must appear on all health documentation.
Step 2: Vaccinations
Bahrain does not accept 3-year vaccines. All current vaccinations must have been given within the calendar year of your arrival. You must provide proof of two lifetime doses of each required vaccine.
For dogs you will need current and prior Rabies, DA2PP, and Leptospirosis, all within the previous calendar year for the current round.
For cats you will need current and prior Rabies and FVRCP, all within the previous calendar year for the current round.
Have your pet's current, original, signed rabies certificate on hand during travel. The signature must be in blue ink, not a digital signature.
Step 3: The FAVN Test
The Kingdom of Bahrain considers itself rabies-free and requires a passing FAVN rabies titer test within 1 year of entry. This is not optional and there are no exceptions. The NSA Bahrain VTF strongly advises that all pets complete a FAVN regardless of origin country to avoid any issues with the Bahrain Ministry. If applicable, rabies vaccinations may be administered after the passing FAVN without issue.
Step 4: Health Certificate (APHIS Form 7001)
Your veterinarian must complete APHIS Form 7001 within 10 days of travel. Note that this form states 30-day validity, but that applies to domestic travel only. For international travel to Bahrain it is valid for 10 days only. You will need a separate form for each pet.
The health certificate must be endorsed and stamped by the USDA. Many civilian vets are USDA-accredited but cannot endorse for international Bahrain travel specifically. Locate your nearest USDA office. Alternatively, US Army veterinarians can endorse the APHIS 7001 on both signature lines.
Step 5: Import Memorandum and Animal Import Certificate
Once the NSA Bahrain VTF has verified your pet's vaccination and microchip records, they will prepare your import memorandum when you are within 30 days of travel. Your sponsor picks this up during regular VTF business hours and takes it to the Kingdom of Bahrain Animal Health Directorate, Veterinary Quarantine Office, which issues your Animal Import Certificate. This certificate is only valid for 30 days and the office is open Sunday through Thursday, 0730 to 1300.
Step 6: 30-Day In-Home Quarantine on Arrival
Upon arrival in Bahrain you must initiate a 30-day in-home quarantine. During this period your pets cannot come into contact with any other animals.
Planning to PCS back to the US someday? Start planning for that now too. Dogs returning to the US from higher-risk rabies countries must have a FAVN titer test taken at least 30 days after the valid rabies booster and at least 28 days before US entry, submitted to a CDC-approved laboratory. Keeping your FAVN current during your tour will save you significant stress on the way home.
For the full official checklist and requirements, visit the FDRMC Bahrain Your Pets page and the Military OneSource NSA Bahrain Shipping Pets page.
The $2,000 Pet Reimbursement: Use It
As of January 1, 2024, the updated Joint Travel Regulations authorize reimbursement of up to $2,000 for OCONUS PCS moves to cover expenses directly related to pet transportation, including pet shipping and quarantine fees. This applies to cats and dogs only, one pet per PCS order.
Covered costs include mandatory microchipping, vaccinations, rabies titers, quarantine fees, boarding fees, and pet licenses or health certificates required by the destination. Hotel service charges during the pet's transport may also be reimbursable. Keep every receipt from the moment your orders are dated.
You can find the official policy at JTR paragraph 050107 and the DoD FAQ on pet reimbursement at the Defense Travel Management Office.
For more on the reimbursement process, check out our other posts on PCSing to Bahrain with pets.
Quick Reference Links
NS Norfolk Passenger Terminal — schedules, contact info, 30-day PE calendar
NSA Bahrain Passenger Terminal — arrival terminal info and Bahrain-specific pet pamphlet
AMC Pet Travel Page — kennel requirements, documentation, fees
JTR Pet Reimbursement FAQ — official DoD guidance on the $2,000 allowance
FDRMC Bahrain: Prepping Your Pets — Bahrain-specific import requirements
NSA Bahrain Veterinary Treatment Facility — [email protected]