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Importing pets into China

Bringing a cat or dog to China requires preparation that begins months before travel. The Chinese customs authority (GACC) has strict requirements, quarantine may apply on arrival, and the specific process varies by the animal's origin country and the port of entry.

Verified May 2026China Visit Guide editorial

Start at least 6 months before travel. Rabies titre tests (required for some origin countries) must be performed after vaccination and then a waiting period of typically [VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] 3–6 months must elapse before travel. Last-minute pet imports to China are often impossible to complete properly.

Why pet import to China is complex

China is classified as a country with endemic rabies, which means the Chinese authorities apply strict biosecurity rules to animal imports to protect the domestic animal population. The General Administration of Customs (GACC, formerly AQSIQ) is the responsible authority at the national level; local GACC offices at ports of entry implement the rules.

The complexity arises from the combination of origin-country-specific requirements (different countries have different rabies statuses which affect what tests and waiting periods apply), airline-specific restrictions, and the need for in-advance permits from the Chinese authorities.

General requirements (all pets)

[VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] The following apply regardless of origin country and entry airport:

  • Microchip: ISO 11784/11785 standard 15-digit chip, implanted before vaccination. US-style 9-digit chips are not compatible — if your pet already has a US chip, consult your vet.
  • Rabies vaccination: Primary vaccination after microchipping; current at time of travel. The vaccine brand may need to be one approved by the Chinese authorities — confirm the current approved list with a specialist vet.
  • Rabies Virus Neutralising Antibody Test (RVNAT / titre test): Required from some origin countries. Must be performed at a GACC-approved laboratory. Blood sample taken at least [VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] 30 days after vaccination; waiting period of [VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] 90–180 days from the test date before travel in some cases.
  • Health certificate: Issued by a government-authorised veterinarian within [VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] 10 days of travel, confirming the animal is healthy and meets all requirements.
  • Import permit: Applied for in advance from the local GACC office at the destination port. Your employer's relocation company or a specialist pet relocation company can handle this.

Airport-by-airport notes

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) / Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

[VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] Both Beijing airports handle international pet arrivals. Beijing Capital (PEK) has historically been the main entry point for pet imports to the Beijing region. Pets arrive as 'excess baggage' in the hold or via air cargo depending on the airline. The General Administration of Customs (GACC) quarantine office at PEK administers the pet entry inspection and issues the entry permit.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

[VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] PVG is the main hub for international pet imports into Shanghai. The GACC Quarantine Centre at Pudong processes pet inspections. The quarantine procedure at PVG takes [VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] 1–7 days on average for routine cases with complete documentation. If documentation is incomplete or the animal fails health inspection, quarantine periods extend significantly.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

[VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] CAN handles international pet imports for the Pearl River Delta region. GACC quarantine procedures apply. Advance notification to the quarantine office is recommended before travel.

Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) / Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)

[VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] Pet imports via Chengdu are less common for newly arriving expatriates but the airports do handle them. GACC quarantine facilities are present. Documentation requirements are the same as at other ports of entry; processing capacity may be smaller than at the major east-coast hubs.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Hong Kong operates under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) rather than mainland China's GACC. Hong Kong has its own separate pet import requirements, quarantine rules (rabies-free status countries have simplified processes; others face a quarantine period), and registration system. Pets entering Hong Kong and then crossing to mainland China are subject to the mainland rules at the border crossing point.

Using a specialist pet relocation company

Most expatriates importing pets to China use a specialist pet relocation company. These companies manage the documentation, liaise with GACC on the import permit, book the animal on the appropriate airline freight or passenger services, and meet the animal at the Chinese port for the quarantine process. The cost is significant — [VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] ¥15,000–¹50,000 or more depending on origin, species, and destination — but the alternative (managing the process independently in a foreign regulatory system) is substantially more stressful and error-prone.

Well-established companies in this sector include Pets' Cornet, Animal Couriers (Europe), PetRelocation.com, and local Chinese companies specialising in GACC import permits. Ask your employer's HR team if they have a preferred supplier.

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need to import a pet to China?

[VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] Standard requirements for dogs and cats: (1) ISO-standard 15-digit microchip implanted before rabies vaccination; (2) Valid rabies vaccination (administered after microchipping, within validity period, from a licensed veterinarian); (3) Health certificate issued by an accredited government veterinarian in the country of origin, within 10 days of travel; (4) Rabies antibody test (titre test) in some cases depending on origin country; (5) Import permit from the relevant Chinese GACC office (applied for in advance, usually by the employer's relocation service). Requirements vary by origin country — confirm with the GACC or a specialist pet relocation company.

How long is quarantine for pets entering China?

[VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] Quarantine duration depends on the origin country's rabies status and the completeness of documentation. Pets from countries classified as rabies-free or low-risk with complete documentation may be processed in as little as 1–3 days at the airport. Pets from higher-risk countries or those with documentation issues may face quarantine periods of 30 days or longer at a government-designated quarantine facility. Costs for quarantine (facility fees, veterinary checks) are borne by the owner.

Can I bring multiple pets to China?

[VERIFY: source needed — May 2026] China restricts the import of pets to a maximum of one dog and one cat (one animal total per person in some regulatory interpretations) as 'personal pets'. Importing more than one animal, or importing animals for commercial purposes, requires separate permits and procedures. Confirm the current limits with the GACC before travelling.

Which airlines transport pets in-cabin or in the hold to China?

Airline policies on pet transport vary and change. Most international airlines carry pets in the pressurised cargo hold as excess baggage (not in-cabin) on long-haul flights to China. Breed restrictions apply — short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds including French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian cats may be refused by some airlines. Confirm with your airline and book early; space for animals is limited and fills quickly.

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Verified May 2026

China Visit Guide editorial