Bringing Pets into China: The Current Rules in 2026

China's pet import regulations are among the more complicated in Asia, combining national-level health requirements with city-level breed restrictions and a bureaucratic process that cannot be rushed. Mistakes at any stage can result in a quarantine period for the animal and a significant additional cost. The following covers the current rules as of 2026 — but because these regulations are subject to revision, always verify with the relevant Chinese embassy or GACC (General Administration of Customs) before making travel arrangements. [VERIFY: source needed — May 2026]

What types of animals can enter

Dogs and cats are the standard cases. Birds, rodents, rabbits, and exotic animals face separate and generally more restrictive regimes, and some species are prohibited outright under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) regulations. This guide covers dogs and cats specifically.

The document requirements

Microchip: the animal must have an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip (15-digit FDXB). This must be implanted before the rabies vaccination — the chip ID is recorded on the vaccination certificate and must match.

Rabies vaccination: administered after microchipping. The vaccine must be given at least 21 days before travel, and must not have expired. The vaccination history needs to be recorded on a document that lists the chip number.

Rabies antibody titre test: required for animals from countries not on China's approved list. The test (RFFIT or FAVN method) must show a result of at least 0.5 IU/mL. It must be conducted at an OIE-approved laboratory — not every veterinary lab qualifies. Results take one to three weeks. The test must be conducted after the rabies vaccination has had time to produce an immune response (typically 30 days after vaccination).

Health certificate: an official veterinary health certificate issued by a government-accredited veterinarian, endorsed by the relevant government authority (USDA APHIS in the US, DEFRA in the UK, DAFF in Australia, etc.), within 10 days of travel. The certificate must list the chip number, vaccination records, test results, and the destination country.

GACC pre-approval: China's General Administration of Customs requires an advance import permit for pets. This is filed through the destination province's GACC office and can take four to eight weeks. Without this permit, the animal may not be admitted.

Timeline

The minimum realistic timeline is approximately 60–90 days from starting the process to travel, assuming all test results come back within expected windows:

1. Microchip implanted 2. Rabies vaccination (after chip, with chip ID recorded) 3. 30-day wait for immune response 4. Titre test conducted (1–3 weeks for results) 5. Health certificate issued and government-endorsed (1–2 weeks) 6. GACC pre-approval filed (4–8 weeks) 7. Travel

The steps overlap partially, but the titre test waiting period and GACC approval process mean that beginning the process two months before your travel date is genuinely risky. Three months is safer.

At entry

Declare the animal at customs. The customs inspection desk will review all documentation against the live animal — confirming the microchip number, checking the certificate, and verifying the pre-approval permit. One dog or one cat per household is admitted without quarantine if all paperwork is in order.

Incomplete or incorrect documentation triggers a quarantine period of seven to thirty days, conducted at the port of entry or at an approved animal quarantine facility. Quarantine costs are paid by the owner. [VERIFY: source needed — May 2026]

City-level breed and size restrictions

Beyond the national import rules, Chinese cities impose their own breed and size regulations for urban registration:

Beijing: dogs exceeding 35 cm at the shoulder (at the withers) are prohibited in urban areas within the Fifth Ring Road. This effectively excludes most large and medium breeds. Registration of dogs requires proof of vaccination and compliance with size limits.

Shanghai: maintains a restricted breed list and a size limit for urban dogs. Large breed restrictions apply in central districts. The exact list is updated periodically.

Other cities: most major Chinese cities have some form of dog size restriction in central urban districts. The specific rules vary and change. Owners of large breeds should research the destination city's current rules before committing.

Cat ownership has fewer city-level restrictions than dogs.

Professional pet relocation services

Pet relocation services (¥5,000–20,000 depending on origin country and service level) [VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] manage the documentation preparation, government endorsement, GACC pre-approval, and logistics. Given the number of documents involved and the consequences of errors, these services are worth considering seriously. A missed step does not just cause inconvenience — it causes weeks of animal quarantine and significant additional cost.

Established services operating on China routes include Air Animal, Starwood Pet Travel, and several specialist China-based relocation firms.

Living with a pet in China

Once through import, pet ownership in China is straightforward in most cities. Pet food (including international brands) is widely available through e-commerce platforms. Veterinary care is available in all major cities, with international-standard clinics in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou charging rates comparable to Western cities. Domestic-standard clinics are considerably cheaper but quality varies.

Dog parks exist in major cities but are less common than in Western cities — large parks and river embankments are the most common exercise areas. Leash laws are generally enforced in urban areas.