In this article
  1. What the FAVN test actually measures
  2. What has to happen before the blood draw
  3. Waiting period by destination
  4. FAQ
  5. In short

International pet travel — proving rabies immunity

A handful of countries are officially rabies-free — Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, and most of the EU. Their border rules are strict for one reason: to keep rabies out. A rabies vaccine certificate isn't enough on its own. They want lab proof that your pet's immune system actually responded to the shot.

That proof is the FAVN test (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization), also called a rabies titer test. The internationally accepted pass mark is 0.5 IU/mL or higher — the antibody level that says "this animal is protected."

What has to happen before the blood draw

Before any blood can be drawn for FAVN, your pet needs:

📋 Important: The sample has to go to a lab approved by the destination country — not just any accredited lab. Ask Convey for the current list of accepted labs for your destination before scheduling the draw, otherwise the report won't be usable for travel.

Waiting period by destination

Each country sets its own waiting period after the blood is drawn. This is the part that catches most pet owners off guard — the rules vary widely.

DestinationWait after blood draw
🇪🇺 EU countries3 calendar months (90 days)
🇯🇵 Japan180 days minimum
🇦🇺 Australia180 days minimum
🇰🇷 South KoreaNo wait — travel as soon as the report arrives
🇮🇩 IndonesiaNo wait — travel as soon as the report arrives

Plenty of other countries require a FAVN report but don't impose a waiting period — South Korea and Indonesia being the most common examples. The titer just needs to be on hand at travel time.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How long do I wait after the blood sample is taken?
A: It depends entirely on the destination. The EU is the shortest at 3 calendar months (90 days). Japan and Australia both require at least 180 days before you can begin the export process.

Plenty of other countries require the titer report but no waiting period — for example, South Korea and Indonesia. Travel as soon as the report is in your hand.
Q: How much does the FAVN test cost?
A: Pricing depends on which lab the sample goes to and what your vet hospital charges, but typically 8,000 to 15,000 THB.

Ask Convey for a quote tailored to your case before committing.
Q: How long is the titer report valid?
A: It depends on the destination. For the EU, one passing titer covers your pet for life — as long as the rabies booster never lapses.

Other countries cap validity at 1 to 2 years, counted from the day blood was drawn to the day of travel.

Not sure if your existing titer is still valid? Send the report and vaccine record to Convey and we'll check it for you.
Q: How long does the lab take to return the result?
A: A Thai-accredited lab takes about 3 weeks after receiving the sample. An overseas lab (typical for stricter destinations) takes about 1.5 months.
Q: Thailand has accredited FAVN labs — why send the sample overseas?
A: You're right that Thailand has accredited labs. But the Thai-issued report isn't accepted by Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and a few others.

If your pet's travel plans cover multiple countries — or if the destination is in the strict group — it's safer to send the sample to a top European lab from the start, so the result is accepted everywhere.

In short

A rabies titer test sounds straightforward, but the paperwork details matter a lot — wrong order, wrong lab, or one missed booster, and you start over.

If you want to be sure the FAVN report will actually work for your destination, send the details to Convey before you start. Better to spend ten minutes upfront than three months redoing it.