Pet Transport from China to Australia: The Stepping-Stone Route
Getting a pet from China to Australia is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. Plan for approximately 52-80 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to compress the …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from China to Australia
typically takes around 52-80 weeks.
Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The China to Australia import process
01
Planning stage.
Accept the stepping-stone: direct China-to-Australia is not permitted. Plan via Singapore.
Responsible: Owner
02
As early as possible. Titre test cannot be done until at least 30 days after the final vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip in China. Administer rabies vaccination on the same or following vet visit.
Responsible: Vet in China
03
At least 30 days after the final rabies vaccination. The 180-day post-titre wait starts from this blood draw date.
Titre test blood draw at a DAFF-approved laboratory in China.
Responsible: Vet and DAFF-approved laboratory
04
4-6 weeks before China-to-Singapore departure.
Apply for GACC export permit and Singapore import permit (through an AVS-recognised agent).
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
05
China is Schedule III for Singapore: 30-day quarantine is mandatory on arrival.
Fly China to Singapore. Enter mandatory 30-day quarantine at Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC).
Responsible: Singapore AVS, owner pays approximately SGD 1,500-3,000
06
The 180-day post-titre wait runs concurrently. Plan for genuine Singapore residency.
Remain in Singapore for at least 6 months total (quarantine period counts).
Responsible: Owner
07
At least 6-8 weeks before planned Melbourne arrival.
Apply for DAFF import permit from Australia.
Responsible: Owner or IPATA agent
08
Within 14 days of Melbourne arrival. Exact DAFF-specified format required.
Obtain DAFF-format health certificate in Singapore, endorsed by AVS.
Responsible: Official vet in Singapore
09
All entries via Melbourne International Airport only.
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must be implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required before titre test blood draw.
Rabies titre test
Required for Australian entry from Singapore (DAFF Group 2). RNATT or FAVN at a DAFF-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Blood draw at least 30 days after the final rabies vaccination. 180-day post-titre wait applies before Australia entry. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs.
Quarantine
Mandatory 10-day quarantine at the Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Mickleham, Victoria. All Australian pet imports enter via Melbourne International Airport only. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au.
Import permit
DAFF import permit required in advance of the Australia travel date. Apply at least 6-8 weeks ahead. Source: agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/permit.
Health certificate
DAFF-approved format health certificate for Singapore as the country of export. Issued by an official vet in Singapore and endorsed by AVS within 14 days of Melbourne arrival. Exact DAFF-specified format only.
Leaving China
Export requirements
Export permit
GACC export permit required. Apply to your local GACC office with health certificate, microchip record, and vaccination history. Allow 3-4 weeks. Approved international departure airports: Beijing Capital (PEK), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN).
Health certificate
Official health certificate issued by a GACC-authorised vet, countersigned by a GACC official. Must meet Singapore import format for the first leg. Issued within 14 days of departure. Source: GACC, english.customs.gov.cn.
Costs
What this route typically costs
GACC export permit and health certificate endorsement in China: approximately CNY 800-2,000
China-to-Singapore cargo fees: approximately SGD 600-1,200 depending on pet size
Singapore 30-day quarantine at AQC: approximately SGD 1,500-3,000
Singapore residency: at least 6 months accommodation, vet registration, AVS fees
Titre test laboratory fee: SGD 200-400 or CNY 5,000-12,000
DAFF import permit fee (Australia government fee)
Singapore-to-Melbourne cargo: approximately AUD 1,000-2,500
Mickleham 10-day PEQ quarantine: approximately AUD 2,000-4,500
IPATA agent fee for the two-leg move: typically AUD 1,500-4,000
Realistic total budget: AUD 12,000-25,000 or more for the full two-leg journey
Critical points
CRITICAL: China is not a DAFF approved source country. Direct import is not permitted under any circumstances, with no exceptions. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs.
China is Schedule III for Singapore. A mandatory 30-day quarantine at AQC applies on arrival in Singapore. This is non-negotiable.
From 1 April 2026, only AVS-recognised pet agents can handle import clearance at Changi (CAPQ). Pet owners cannot manage this step themselves. Source: AVS, avs.nparks.gov.sg.
Starting the titre test blood draw before leaving China is the single most effective way to reduce the total timeline.
All Australian entries must arrive via Melbourne International Airport only. No other Australian airports are approved.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Air China
Cargo services from Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG) to Singapore (SIN). International routes cargo only. Documentation review required before acceptance at cargo desk.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Operates China-to-Singapore and Singapore-to-Melbourne routes. Both legs manageable through Singapore Airlines Cargo. Advance booking essential. Brachycephalic breeds restricted.
Cargo Only
Qantas
Singapore-to-Melbourne leg. All Australian arrivals into Melbourne (MEL) only. Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round. Coordinate with IPATA agent for Melbourne handling.
Cargo Only
Australia import rules, explained
Australia runs a strict import regime, so every document is checked closely on arrival. Build your plan around the fixed waiting periods, because they set the pace for everything else.
Practical tips for this move
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
No. DAFF does not permit direct import from China. The only legal route is a stepping-stone via an approved country such as Singapore, where the pet must genuinely reside for at least 6 months. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs.
Singapore is a DAFF Group 2 approved country, has direct cargo flights from major Chinese cities, has experienced IPATA agents familiar with both legs, and has a large established Chinese expat community. The overall logistical complexity is lower than other approved stepping-stone options.
Allow 12-18 months as a realistic minimum from the start of preparations to release from Australian quarantine. Key time-drivers are the 30-day Singapore quarantine, the 180-day post-titre wait, the 6-month Singapore residency, the DAFF permit process, and the 10-day Mickleham quarantine.
Yes, and this is strongly recommended. The titre test blood draw can be done at a DAFF-approved laboratory in China. The 180-day wait starts from that blood draw date, meaning the wait runs concurrently with Singapore residency, potentially saving several months.
Budget AUD 12,000-25,000 or more, including China-to-Singapore cargo, 30-day Singapore quarantine, Singapore residency costs, titre test, DAFF permit, Singapore-to-Melbourne cargo, 10-day Mickleham quarantine, and agent fees. Varies significantly by pet size and length of Singapore stay.
Airline guides
Air China
Singapore Airlines
Qantas
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.