For pet owners residing in China, taking pets abroad with you involves two main processes: securing China’s Animal Health Certificate and meeting the entry requirements of your destination country.
The process may take 4–8 months to complete, depending on the destination country. Pet owners should plan carefully and begin the process well in advance to avoid travel delays.
In this Pacific Prime article, we provide a step-by-step guide on bringing pets from China overseas, from obtaining an Animal Health Certificate to complying with entry regulations abroad. We also outline tips for preparing your pets, organizing necessary documents, and packing other travel items.
Obtaining the PRC Animal Health and Immunity Certificate is the first step for pets leaving China. Issued by a government-accredited veterinary hospital, this certificate confirms that your pet is vaccinated, especially against rabies, microchipped, and in good health.
Rabies Vaccination: Pets must be vaccinated at least 30 days but no more than 12 months before departure. Annual vaccination is required for all dogs and cats in China, as multi-year rabies vaccines from other countries are not recognized.
Microchip: All pets leaving China must have an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip, scanned at the time of final customs declaration.
Health Requirements: Pets must be free from infectious diseases, internal and external parasites, and contagious skin conditions. Non-contagious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or tumors, do not prevent export.
Completing China’s requirements for bringing your pets overseas involves three main steps, including rabies vaccination, exit health check, and obtaining the animal exit permit.
The first step in preparing your pet for international travel is ensuring they are properly vaccinated against rabies. Pets must receive the rabies vaccination from an officially designated facility at least 30 days before departure, but no more than 12 months prior to travel.
After vaccination, your pet will be issued the PRC Animal Health and Immunity Certificate (commonly called the vaccination red book) with the hospital’s official stamp.
Important notes:
Keep all vaccination records carefully, as they are required for the next steps in the export process.
By Chinese law, all dogs must receive an annual rabies vaccination. Cats should also be vaccinated annually.
The next step is the mandatory exit health examination, which must be completed 7–10 days before your pet’s departure at a government-designated Quarantine Bureau animal hospital.
During the examination, your pet will undergo:
A physical check to assess overall health.
Blood and stool tests to screen for infections and parasites.
Microchip verification is required, as all pets leaving China must have an ISO-compliant microchip.
Once your pet passes the examination, they will be issued the International Companion Animal Health Inspection Certificate (official health certificate) typically within two days. Owners must submit this certificate within 7 days of issuance to apply for the Animal Exit Permit.
The final step in exporting your pet from China is securing the Animal Exit Permit from the Customs Bureau, which is required for your pet to leave the country legally.
To apply, submit the following documents to the Customs Bureau:
PRC Animal Health and Immunity Certificate (vaccination red book)
Official Health Certificate issued after the mandatory health check
Pet owner’s original passport (photocopies are not accepted)
Your pet must be presented in person at the Customs Bureau for a final examination and microchip verification. The permit is typically processed in 2–4 business days and is valid for 14 days.
Important notes:
Check your airline and the destination country’s regulations, as pets usually must enter within 10 days of the permit’s issue date.
Each country has its own set of pet import regulations, which may include vaccination timelines, health certifications, microchipping, and quarantine requirements. These rules can vary significantly depending on your destination, so it’s important to research and prepare before departure.
In general, most countries require:
Microchipping with an ISO-compliant chip (usually before rabies vaccination)
Rabies vaccination at least 30 days before entry and not more than 12 months before arrival
Official rabies antibody titre testing (RNATT), typically performed 30 days after vaccination, with a required waiting period (ranging from 28 to 180 days depending on destination)
Health inspection and export clearance from the PRC Customs and Quarantine Bureau, usually completed 7–10 days before departure
In some cases, an import permit and mandatory quarantine upon arrival
To help you get started, here’s a quick overview of the entry requirements and preparation timelines for some of the most common destinations for pets leaving China, including the USA, EU countries, the UK, and Singapore.
|
Destination |
Preparation Timeline |
Key Requirements |
|
United States |
Begin at least 6–8 months before departure |
|
|
United Kingdom / EU Countries |
Begin at least 6–12 months before departure |
|
|
Singapore |
Begin at least 7–8 months before departure |
|
¹Atlanta, Georgia (ATL); Los Angeles, California (LAX); Miami, Florida (MIA); New York City, New York (JFK); Washington, D.C (IAD); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PHL)
Note that you should also add 7–10 extra days from the numbers specified in the table for China’s exit health inspection and export clearance.
Additionally, as regulations differ by destination and may change without notice, pet owners should confirm the latest entry requirements directly with the official authorities of their destination country well in advance.
Aside from paperwork, traveling internationally with your pet requires preparing travel essentials to have a safe and enjoyable journey for you and your pet. Here is a list of some travel gear that you may find helpful.
Pet carrier or travel bag: Choose an airline-approved carrier that allows your pet to stand, turn, and rest comfortably during transit.
Collar and ID tag: Include your pet’s name, your contact information, and microchip details (if applicable) to help with identification in case of emergencies.
Collapsible food and water bowls: Compact and convenient for keeping your pet hydrated and fed throughout the trip.
Pet travel document holder: Keep vaccination records, health certificates, and import/export permits organized and easily accessible.
Comfort item from home: A favorite blanket, toy, or towel can help reduce your pet’s anxiety by providing a familiar scent.
Portable litter box or pee pads: Essential for maintaining hygiene during long flights or layovers, especially for cats and small dogs.
While you focus on your pet’s comfort and safety, remember to secure health protection for yourself. For short trips, travel insurance covers unexpected expenses during your visit, and for relocations or long-term stays, international health insurance ensures access to quality healthcare.
Pacific Prime is a global insurance intermediary with 25 years of experience in the health insurance industry.
Whether you are looking for short-term coverage, expat health insurance, or family insurance, we can help you select and customize a policy that strikes a good balance between your budget and needs.
Contact us today for impartial advice and a free plan comparison.
The cost to fly with a pet dog varies depending on the airline, size of the dog, flight type (domestic or international), and whether the dog travels in the cabin or cargo. Typical in-cabin pet fees range from about $95 to $200 each way.
It’s best to start preparing at least 6–12 months in advance, depending on your destination country’s import requirements. Some destinations, like the EU or Singapore, require rabies antibody titre testing and waiting periods that can take several months to complete.
If your pet’s rabies antibody level is below the required 0.5 IU/mL, entry may be denied, quarantine imposed, or revaccination required, causing travel delays. Early RNATT testing helps ensure compliance and a smooth overseas journey.
You must declare your pet at customs upon arrival. Customs officials will review your pet’s health certificate, microchip, vaccination records, and any import permits to ensure compliance with the country’s entry requirements. Proper declaration helps avoid fines, quarantine, or denied entry.
Disclaimer: Pacific Prime solely represents, operates and manages locally regulated insurance products and services in the territory of PR China. Any references to Pacific Prime Global Company or Group, the international services, insurance products or otherwise stated written or verbally, is for introduction purposes about our overseas network only as each entity is fully independent.
