International Pet Travel to China

Country-Specific Classification

China classifies countries as either designated or non-designated.

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

Non-designated countries: All other countries that are not listed as designated.

If you are traveling from a designated country to China, you can enter China using any port if your pet has a proof of microchip, rabies vaccination and health certificate.

If you are travelling from a non-designated country to China, you can enter China using any port without quarantine being imposed on your pet, provided you follow the import regulations.

1. Microchip

Your pet should be microchipped with a standard, 15-digit, ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip. The microchip must be implanted by a licensed veterinarian, and the chip itself must be registered with the manufacturers or government’s database in your country of origin. Make sure to microchip your pet before or at the same time as their vaccinations.

2. Vaccinations

Pets travelling to China must be vaccinated against rabies twice, the initial rabies vaccine and a booster dose shortly after. The initial rabies vaccination must be provided at least 30 days but no more than 12 months before travel. China does not accept multi-year vaccines.

3. Rabies Titer Test

A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies present in a pet’s blood. The test also acts as a proof of vaccination against rabies, certifying your pet is protected against rabies.

The results of this test are expressed in a ratio: international units per millilitre (IU/mL). As a rule, a successful rabies titer test should show a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test should be done on the same day or one day after the second rabies vaccine is administered.

The sample for the titer test must be processed at a GACC (General Administration of Customs) approved lab. Alternatively, you can opt for a Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) test, which is also valid.

4. Parasite Treatment

Your pet should be treated for parasites before traveling. Parasites include internal and external parasites such as ticks and tapeworms.

5. Health Certificate

Your pet will require a health certificate to enter China. The certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian, and should include your pet’s identification details, microchip number, vaccination details.

6. Pet Import Permit

A pet import permit may or may not be required based on your Visa. Make sure to check if a pet import permit is required for your Visa and nature of travel.

7. Banned Breeds

China does not ban the import of any dog breeds. However, there are restrictions in certain cities and provinces, namely in Shanghai, Chengdu and Beijing. Pet parents who have such a breed should be alert to the restrictions and check whether the restrictions interfere with your plans.

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, Newfoundland, Cane Corso, Central Asian Shepherd dog, Great Dane, Dog de Bordeauz, Fila Brasileiro, Irish Wolfhound, Caucasian Shepherd, Kumming Wolfdog, Chinese Dog.

Dog breeds (including 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) Dogo Argentina (Argentinean Mastiff), horse mastiff (Danish Broholmer) and other Mastiff Mastiff descent, and hybridization with dogs such as Beauceron Wolfdog, Kunming wolfdog, China Dog, German Shepherd Dog, English Bulldog, Old English Bulldog, American Bulldog, Japanese Tosa, Bull Terrier, Doberman.

8. CITES

If your pet is not a ‘regular’ house pet, you should check whether it is protected under CITES. CITES stands for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Any animal under CITES regulations will require additional permits and professional assistance to import/export.

Pet Quarantine in China

Cats and dogs from designated countries that comply with the regulations will not face any quarantine when entering China.

Cats and dogs entering China from non-designated countries can enter China and not face any quarantine, provided they have a proof of microchipping, two rabies vaccinations, health certificate, and rabies titer test results.

Pets entering China from non-designated countries without meeting the aforementioned criteria will be subject to 30 days of quarantine. Such pets can only enter China at these locations where quarantine facilities are available: