Hong Kong Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Hong Kong pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Hong Kong will include proof of a microchip, rabies and other vaccinations, a permit to import, residency certificates, a Captain’s Affidavit, and an international pet health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements

These rules apply to the transport of domestic dog and cats including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO HONG KONG below.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, owners, agents, or anyone transporting a pet should confirm that their veterinarian is licensed by the governing authority in their country that is responsible for the movement of live animals. This veterinarian should administer all vaccinations and treatments, as well as issue all required documentation.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Hong Kong

There will be a mandatory period of four months of quarantine for pets entering Hong Kong from group 3 countries (step 1). If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

Hong Kong Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Hong Kong must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-6 should be followed in the order given.

Step 1: Country Classifications

Hong Kong classifies countries into three groups depending on their rabies status. Pets must be born in and continuously reside in a Category 1 country for six months prior to import.

Group 1: Rabies-Free Countries

Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the Bailiwick of Jersey.

Proof of birth or residency in these countries for a period of not less than 6 months to qualify for this group.

Group 2: Rabies-Controlled Countries

Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Brunei, Canada, Cayman Island, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Guam, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Netherlands, Norway, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United States (mainland), Vanuatu and the Virgin Islands.

Proof of birth or residency in these countries for a period of not less than 4 months to qualify for this group.

Group 3: Rabies-Infected Countries

All other countries not included in groups 1 or 2.

Step 2: Pet Microchip

The first step to importing a dog, cat or ferret to Hong Kong is to have it identified with either a 9- or 15-digit pet microchip to enter Hong Kong. If your pet’s microchip cannot be read by a universal scanner (encrypted), then you must bring your own microchip scanner.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation on how to register it in the manufacturer’s or your government’s database.

All documents must reflect the microchip number.

Step 3: Required Vaccinations

If your pet is from a group 2 or 3 country (see step 1), then your dog, or cat must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entry into the country. (Rabies vaccination is optional but recommended for pets from group 1 countries.)

Your pet must not be vaccinated before 90 days of age.

The vaccination must be administered at the same time or after a microchip is implanted. The primary vaccination should be valid for one year. Multi year vaccines are acceptable for boosters.

The administering veterinarian should issue, sign, and stamp:

• a rabies certificate or
• government-issued vaccination booklet or
• EU Pet Passport

Note: Rabies titer test results or veterinary rabies exemption letters are no substitute for proof of rabies vaccination.

Other Vaccinations

All dogs must be vaccinated against canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis and canine parvovirus. All cats must be vaccinated against feline panleukopenia (infectious enteritis) and feline respiratory disease complex. All vaccinations, tests, and treatments should be recorded on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by the origination country.

Step 4: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test is not required from any country when entering Hong Kong. However, service (disability assistance) dogs arriving from any country can avoid quarantine by having a rabies titer test no sooner than 30 days after the primary vaccination and at least 6 months before entering the country. The titer test is valid for one year. All other requirements must be met and forms certifying your dog as a service animal must be provided. Service dogs can arrive in-cabin with advance approval.

Step 5: Import Permit

Dogs or cats should not be imported to Hong Kong (either to import or for trans shipment/transit) unless a Special Permit to do so is obtained in advance from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. The permit is valid for 6 months and will cover the import of one cat or dog.

Step 6: Parasite Treatments

Before your dog or cat can enter Hong Kong, it should be treated against ticks, tapeworm, nematodes and cestodes. All pets should be protected from foreign parasites when traveling internationally.

Step 7: Residency and Pet Health Certificates

All countries worldwide require an original health certificate issued in the country of origin, including the following information:

To enter Hong Kong from Group 2 country (see step 1), you will need a certificate stating:

• Your pet resided in a group 1 or 2 country continuously during the 180 days prior to export and
• The area within 10km of your pet’s place of residence has not reported any cases of rabies in any species (excluding bats) for at least 180 days prior to export to Hong Kong.

Pets from all Groups will need a Pet Health Certificate for Hong Kong issued by an accredited veterinarian within 14 days of entry to Hong Kong. After issuance, the certificate must be endorsed by the governing authority in the origin country that is responsible for the import and export of animals.

Step 8: Captain’s Affidavit

Pets originating in all countries will need a certificate completed by airline personnel stating that your pet has travelled the entire journey without leaving its crate and did not come into contact with any other animals.

In the case of transit via other countries, your pet did not leave the cargo area of the airport of the airport. Note that
your pet may not be eligible for import or may be detained if these conditions are not met.

Other Information

Entering Hong Kong with a Pet

Pets must enter Hong Long as air cargo at the international airports in Hong Kong. The flight must be as direct as possible and not transit through a high-rabies country. The Duty Officer of the Import & Export Section must be notified at least 24 hours ahead of arrival.

Pets must travel in a pet carrier or crate that is in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?

If your pet is changing aircraft in Hong Kong or will be in transit for more than 6 hours, it will need a transit permit. Import permits are required for pets transiting Hong Kong from mainland China.

Your pet will be examined by a veterinary inspector, and must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of any signs of illness that can be transmitted to humans when evaluated at the entry airport. Importers will need to pay for further veterinary testing if the health of your cat or dog is not acceptable.

Quarantine When Entering Hong Kong

Dogs and cats entering Hong Kong from Group 3 countries will be subject to a minimum of four months of quarantine upon entry. Advance reservations with the quarantine center are required.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Hong Kong

If entering from a Group 1 country, unvaccinated puppies or kittens must be at least 60 days old to be imported. If entering from any other country, puppies or kittens cannot enter Hong Kong less than 5 months old and must be vaccinated for rabies no sooner than 90 days of age.

Pets that are more than 4 months pregnant will not be permitted entry.

Related: Transporting a puppy

Breeds Banned from Import to Hong Kong

The following breeds and their crosses are banned from import to Hong Kong:

• Pit Bull Terrier (also known as the American Staffordshire Terrier),
• Japanese Tosa,
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Braziliero.

In the case of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier or if requested, the dog must be accompanied with a statutory declaration attesting to its breed. Service and emotional support animals are also subject to the restriction.

The requirements listed here do not cover Savannah cats. Bengal cats must be at least 5 generations removed from the pedigree.

Importing Other Animals to Hong Kong

Birds must have an import permit and health certificate to enter Hong Kong. Birds are not permitted to enter Hong Kong from the US, Vietnam, the Netherlands, Korea, Indonesia, South Africa, Ivory Coast or India.

Hong Kong has suspended the commercial (unaccompanied) import of all rodents and rabbits from all countries.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is important if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If so, you will have to submit additional permit applications.

Over 180 nations participate in and enforce CITES rules and protections.

Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database

Related: Read more about CITES

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements for Hong Kong?

Further details on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Hong Kong are available at minimal cost. Unlimited email support for you and your veterinarian is included.

Have a Question About Importing Your Pet to Hong Kong?

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Current Information

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 or
• return your pet to the country of origin, or
• euthanize your pet.

We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Hong Kong’s pet import regulations.