Country Classifications

China classifies countries as either:

Designated: New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Guam, Jamaica, Iceland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Macao.

or

Non-Designated: All other countries

Importers and pet owners should always check their country's classification before reviewing these regulations.

Pet Microchip

To enter China, your pet should first be chipped with a 15 digit, ISO 11784/11785-compliant pet microchip. If your pet's microchip is not ISO compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner that can read your pet's microchip.

The microchip should be implanted by your veterinarian, veterinary hospital or trained nurse. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet's information in the manufacturer database.

Import Permit

China does not require an Import Permit for pets entering with their owners from any country. Pets traveling unaccompanied as manifest cargo will require an import permit. The permit should be obtained by someone acting on behalf of the owner or an agent in China can assist with applying for the permit.

Vaccinations

A vaccination card, EU Pet Passport or rabies certificate is required for each pet, clearly displaying your pet's current rabies vaccinations, including the vaccine's manufacturer, batch number and expiration. The rabies vaccination must have been administered between 30 days prior to arrival in China and not more than 12 months prior to arrival. Note that China does not recognize 2 and 3 year vaccines.

Your pet must be vaccinated twice for rabies and have a titer test to avoid quarantine when entering China. More info in the next step.

Dogs should also be vaccinated for canine distemper, parvovirus and coronavirus and cats for feline distemper, peritonitis and feline leucopenia.

it is strongly recommended that you have your pet vaccinated against Bordetella (kennel cough) at least 2 weeks prior to import.

Rabies Titer Test - Non-Designated Countries Only

To avoid quarantine when entering China from a non-designated country (step 1), pets must be microchipped, then vaccinated twice for rabies, then a rabies titer test is done and the sample is processed at an approved lab recognized by the GACC (General Administration of Customs).

The titer test must occur on the same day as, or any day after the administration of the second rabies vaccination. The test is valid for 12 months after the blood is drawn for the test. All other requirements must be met and your pet must pass inspection. For more details, see step 7.

Pets entering China from the designated countries listed in step 7 do not need a rabies titer test to avoid quarantine.

Pet Health Certificate

All cats and dogs entering China must be accompanied by a pet health certificate for China which must be completed within 14 days of entry and stamped (endorsed) by the government of the origination country responsible for the import and export of animals.

The owner's passport must be presented at the time of clearance. The name on the passport must match the owner's name on the health and rabies certificates.

Pet Quarantine - New Rules

Cats and dogs from designated countries that pass inspection and have conformed to all requirements, including microchip (see step 2), entering China will no longer be subject to quarantine.

Cats and dogs entering China from non-designated countries may avoid quarantine by being microchipped (see step 2), then have 2 rabies vaccinations (no sooner than 30 days between each vaccination), and getting a rabies titer test prior to entry. The titer test can be administered at the same time or later than the second rabies vaccination. Results must be greater than 0.5 iu/ml. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories in Canada, China, France, Germany, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, United Kingdom or the United States.

The test is valid for 12 months after it is administered. Boosters should be administered after the test prior to the expiration of previous vaccinations.

Pets entering China from non-designated countries without a microchip, 2 rabies vaccinations, health certificate and results from a rabies titer test will be subject to 30 days of quarantine and must enter China at locations where quarantine facilities are available.

Pets that will be subject to quarantine must enter China at the following locations:

• Beijing Airport
• Beijing West Railway Station
• Shanghai Airports (Hongqlao, Pudong)
• Shanghai Train Station
• Shanghai International Passenger Transport Center
• Urumqi Diwopu International Airport
• Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal
• Alashankou (land post)

Pets entering China that will not require quarantine are not restricted to the above inspection posts.

Guide and rescue dogs entering China with microchips and certificates from professional training organizations are also exempted from quarantine and can enter China at any international point of entry.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to China. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Entering China by Air

Pets subject to quarantine can arrive in China in the cabin or as checked baggage or air cargo at international airports: Shanghai Hongqiao or Pudong, Beijing Capitol and Urumchi Diwabao.

Bringing a pet into China is somewhat complicated even if you have the proper veterinary health certificate and immunization record for your pet. We recommend you utilize the services of a company that specializes in the entry process if your budget allows it.

Foreigners may bring only ONE pet (cat or dog) per adult per trip to China. (two adults - 2 pets) If there are more than one pet per passenger or 2 pets total, the import is considered as commercial, and different rules apply.

China will recognize a one dog policy in various urban areas country wide. Pet owners may only raise one dog per household. Pet owners should research pet ownership regulations for their destination city.

Banned Breeds

China does not ban the import of any dog breeds, but there are breed restrictions in Shanghai, Chengdu and Beijing. Owners of large does should be aware of restrictions in the city they intend to visit or reside.

Pets banned in Beijing: Mastiff, German pinscher, St. Bernard, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Bernese mountain dog, Rottweiler, Weimaraner, Setters, Afghan hound, Foxhound, Bloodhound, Irish wolfhound, Saluki, Greyhound, Borzoi, Basenji, Australian shepherd, Belgian shepherd, Bouvier des Flandres, Bearded collie, Scottish shepherd, German shepherd, Old English sheepdog, British bulldog, Chow chow, Dalmatian, Keeshond, Japanese akita, Newfoundland Sled dog, Bedlington terrier, Bull terrier, Kerry blue terrier.

Dogs banned in Chengdu: Mastiff, Pit Bull Terriers including American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Akita, Dogo Argentino, German Shepherd, Chinese Chongqing, Borzoi, Newfoundlsnd, Cane Corso, Central Asian Shepherd dog, Great Dane, Dog de Bordeauz, Fila Brasileiro, Irish Wolfhound, Caucasian Shepherd, Kumming Wolfdog, Chinese Dog.

Dog breeds and their mixes banned in Shanghai: Tibetan Mastiff (Tibetan Mastiff), Mastiff (Mastiff), Rottweiler (Rottweiler), Italy twisted Boli Dayton (Neopolitan Mastiff, Italian Mastiff alias Napoleon Mastiff), Bordeaux Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux, French Mastiff alias), Bull Mastiff (Bull Mastiff), the Spanish Mastiff (Spanish Mastiff), Caucasian dogs (Caucasian Vcharka), Pyrenean Mastiff (Pyrenean Mastiff), Brazil Rockefeller (Fila Braziliero , alias the Brazilian Mastiff Brazilian Mastiff), Dogo Argentina Mastiff (Argentinean Dogo Mastiff), horse mastiff (Danish Broholmer) and other Mastiff Mastiff descent, and hybridization with dogs; Beauceron Wolfdog, Kunming wolfdog, China Dog, German Shepherd Dog, English Bulldog, Old English Bulldog, American Bulldog, Japanese Tosa, Bull Terrier, Doberman.

Exporting Pets Living in China

Cats and dogs departing China must be microchipped then vaccinated for rabies at an official animal vaccination hospital in the PRC and must have the official "Animal Health and Immunity Certificate" (vaccination red book). The vaccination must be administered more than 30 days but not more than one year prior to international travel.

If you need to export more than one pet per person from China, then you will need the assistance of an agent.

No more than 7-10 days prior to travel, pets must be examined and obtain an Exit Health Certificate from a designated government quarantine hospital.

For pets departing from Beijing, an official vaccination certificate (Red Book) issued by a veterinarian in Beijing must be presented for the exit health examination.

Any dog that tests positive for heartworm will not be granted an exit permit to leave China.

Other Animals

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter China. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

CITES

If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Need More Advice?

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.

Further detail on import permits, costs, tests and procedures are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com under Pet Passports. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 2:00 PM EST.

 

HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS???

Due to the high demand, we are unable to respond to your  question quickly if posted below. If you need a fast response, you can post them directly to our Facebook page, blog, or forum. We will respond as soon as we can.

Please note that the accuracy of comments made from Facebook users other than Pet Travel have not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.