What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Taiwan 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. The pet passport will include proof of microchip, rabies and other vaccinations, rabies titer test results, an import permit, and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
Animals Eligible for These Regulations
Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats including service and assistance dogs and cats. These regulations do not include the import of wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree.
Pets in Taiwan
In Taiwan, pet ownership is increasingly popular, with dogs and cats being the most common companions. According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s latest survey, there were approximately 1.48 million pet dogs (up 19% from 2021) and 1.31 million pet cats (up 50% from 2021) last year. Around 28.3% of households in Taiwan have pets which is a 6.7% increase over 2020.
Some hotels, guesthouses, and rental properties in Taiwan are pet-friendly, allowing travelers to bring their pets along on vacation. Taiwan has a growing number of pet cafes where people can enjoy food and drinks while spending time with animals. Additionally, there are pet-friendly parks and outdoor spaces where owners can exercise and socialize their pets.
Taiwan has numerous animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and veterinary programs providing medical care for pets.
Flights to Taiwan
Some commercial airlines that offer services to pets that fly to Fa’a’ã International Airport in Tahiti are Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti and Air Tahiti Nui.
Flights to Taiwan should be direct or transit through a rabies-controlled country or another EU Member State if possible*. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.
Note that dogs and cats cannot enter Taiwan from Bangladesh, nor can they transit Bangladesh on their way to Taiwan.
Find a Licensed Veterinarian
Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. The agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals should either license or employ your veterinarian.
Quarantine for pets entering Taiwan
Seven days of quarantine will be imposed on your pet unless entering from a rabies-free country, even if the regulations listed here are met. Pets not meeting import regulations will be quarantined, returned to the origin country or euthanized. All costs are the responsibility of the importer. For exemptions, see step 4.
Taiwan Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to import a pet dog or cat to Taiwan must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
Step 1: Country Classifications
Taiwan classifies countries as rabies-free and non-rabies-free countries. Dogs and cats must reside in these countries for at least 6 months prior to import.
The following countries are classified as rabies-free: Japan, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Norway (not including Svalbard), Hawaii, Guam, Singapore or Estonia.
All other countries are classified as non-rabies-free.
Pet owners should identify the classification of their country of origin before reviewing import regulations for Taiwan.
Step 2: Pet Microchip
The first step to importing a dog, cat, or ferret to Taiwan is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO-compliant, you can either bring your own microchip scanner.
A licensed veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer’s or government database in your country.
A readable tattoo is also an acceptable form of identification.
All tattoo and/or microchip numbers should be recorded on all documentation required by Taiwan.
Step 3: Vaccinations
Your pet must have proof of rabies vaccination administered no less than 30 days and no more than one year prior to entry. Taiwan does not accept 2- or 3-year rabies vaccines.
Note that puppies and kittens younger than 3 months of age cannot be vaccinated for rabies.
The administering veterinarian will issue either a rabies certificate or record relevant information in a government-issued vaccination booklet or EU Pet Passport (issued in the European Union).
Other Vaccinations/Tests
Pet owners should discuss the following vaccinations with their veterinarians as these vaccinations are important for protecting pets traveling internationally.
- Dogs: canine parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, and leptospirosis.
- Cats: calicivirus, panleukopenia, and rhinotracheitis.
Step 4: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) tests are recommended, as they are accepted by every country that requires this test.
Unless your pet was born in or resided for 6 months prior to import in a country classified as rabies-free (step 1), it will need a rabies titer test between 90 days and 12 months before entering Taiwan.
The sample must be processed by a laboratory approved by the World Organization of Animal Health or laboratories approved by the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine not sooner than 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination. If your pet is currently vaccinated, the titer test can be administered right after a booster vaccination.
Pets not able to meet the 90-day requirement will be quarantined for the balance of time it will take to conform to the requirement. If the titer test is administered between 180 days and 12 months of entering Taiwan, quarantine will be waived.
For pets leaving the country who will be returning, the titer test can be done in Taiwan before leaving and within one year or re-entry.
Service dogs can enter Taiwan 90 days after the titer test is administered with acceptable results. Service dogs are defined as a guide dog, hearing dog or physical assistance dog certified by a training agency accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation or the Assistance Dogs International.
Step 5: Parasite Treatments
According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered prior to entering Taiwan.
The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer according to disease status of the origination country. These treatments are recommended, but not required.
The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.
Step 6: Health Certificate
Every country worldwide requires a health certificate in their pet import regulations, and Taiwan is no exception. The health certificate must clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number and species.
After the vaccinations and titer test are completed, a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin must then complete a health certificate in Chinese or English within 10 days of entry. After issuance, the certificate must be endorsed by the governing authority of the country of origin responsible for the import and export of animals. The original of this document must be available at the port of entry together with the import permit.
For pets entering from rabies-controlled countries (step 1), health certificates must contain a statement that your dog or cat has been in your country of origin for 6 months prior to export.
The original, endorsed health certificate must accompany your pet during transport.
Step 7: Import Permit
Importers will need to apply for an import permit from Hsinchu Branch or Kaohsiung Airport Inspection Station of Kaohsiung Branch at least 30 days prior to shipment. If your pet will be subject to quarantine, your pet’s reservation should be made at this point.
Dogs or cats leaving Taiwan and expecting to return within 3 months should apply for an export quarantine document from the authority stationed at their point of entry.
More Information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to Taiwan
Puppies and kittens should be microchipped and vaccinated for rabies no sooner than 90 days of age and conform to regulations before entering Taiwan.
More information on transporting a puppy.
Breeds Banned for Import to Taiwan
Currently, Taiwan does not ban any breed of dog or cat.
Entering Taiwan with a Pet
Pet dogs and cats should enter Taiwan via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, Taichung Airport or Kaohsiung Airport.
Your pet’s crate must be sealed by government officials in the originating country unless flying directly from a rabies-free country (step 1). The number must be reflected on the health certificate. It must also be accompanied by a certificate issued by your airline or shipping company that your pet did not leave the port or airport and was not exposed to any other animals during the layover.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?
Dogs and cats from mainland China (excluding Hong Kong and Macao) are prohibited from entering Taiwan unless they are accompanied by a special permit from the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs. The special permit is required to apply for an import permit. Pets from Bangladesh cannot transit or enter Taiwan. The special permit is not required for pets previously exported from Taiwan.
Notice should be given to veterinary officials so they will be available to inspect your pet upon landing. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.
Whenever you travel to a foreign country like Taiwan, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet.
Importing Other Pet Animals to Taiwan
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of rabies vaccination but will have to meet other requirements and must have an import permit and a health certificate to enter Taiwan. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
Exporting Pets from Taiwan
For pets leaving Taiwan, all documentation required by the destination country should be provided. Owners need to bring their dogs or cats, the vaccination certificate (if rabies vaccination or other vaccination is required by the importing country), owners’ ID or passport, and the result of titer test (if needed by the importing country) to local branch offices or inspection stations of Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine within 7 days before departure for an official veterinary certificate.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and it is even more important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.
Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database
Related: Learn more about CITES
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Taiwan?
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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 at your expense or
- Euthanize your pet.
We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the Taiwan pet import requirements.
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