CN
China
✈️
AT
Austria
Pet Transport from China to Austria
20-26 weeks
Typical preparation
None
Quarantine on arrival
Moderate
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from China to Austria
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
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Overview
Shipping a dog or cat from China to Austria rewards owners who start planning early. Expect about 20-26 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, but the deadlines matter. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order.
Depending on origin, a rabies titre test may be part of the process here. The sections below cover each requirement in detail.
Step by step
The China to Austria process
1
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
4
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
5
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
6
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
Checklist
Austria: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Before or on same day as first rabies vaccination |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel |
| Rabies titre test | Required for: Pets from non-listed countries. Not required for: EU/listed countries. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait from test date before entry |
| Quarantine | No routine quarantine for compliant pets. Penalty quarantine applies if documentation is non-compliant |
| Import permit | Not required |
| Health certificate | Required. EU Pet Passport or AHC. Issued by: Official vet. Valid for 10 days from issue |
Leaving China
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | Export permit from GACC. Required particularly for purebred/registered breeds. |
| Health certificate | Export health certificate in destination-country required format. |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size) |
| 2 | IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire) |
| 3 | Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate |
| 4 | Rabies titre test laboratory fee |
| 5 | Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes) |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Air China
Small pets allowed in cabin on domestic China routes. International: cargo only via Air China Cargo. Strict crate size and documentation requirements. China-specific import/export permits required. Advance booking of cargo space essential.
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Korean Air
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Larger pets in hold as checked baggage or Korean Air Cargo. Seasonal temperature restrictions apply
What Austria requires
The path into Austria is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Avoiding the common mistakes
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No routine quarantine is required in Austria for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Austria. Start this process as early as possible.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in China. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Austria’s authority for the exact format required.
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