Pet Transport from China to Germany: GACC Export and EU Titre Test
Bringing your dog or cat from China to Germany takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. There is a fair amount of paperwork here, so plan on around 20-28 weeks. No routine …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from China to Germany
typically takes around 20-28 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The China to Germany import process
01
Before first rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip in China.
Responsible: Vet in China
02
After microchip confirmed. At least 30 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies vaccination primary course.
Responsible: Vet in China
03
At least 30 days after the final rabies vaccination. The 90-day wait starts from this blood draw date.
FAVN titre test blood draw at an EU-approved laboratory.
Responsible: Vet and EU-approved laboratory
04
Approximately 3 calendar months. Cannot be shortened.
90-day wait from the blood draw date.
Responsible: Owner to track
05
4-6 weeks before departure.
Apply for GACC export permit.
Responsible: Owner or agent
06
Within 10 days of German entry date.
Obtain EU-format AHC from official vet in China, countersigned by GACC.
Responsible: GACC-authorised official vet in China
07
After 90-day wait has elapsed.
Fly China to Germany. German customs inspection on arrival.
Responsible: Airline, German customs authority
Requirements
Germany entry requirements
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. Primary course must be complete. 21-day wait from initial vaccination before travel.
Rabies titre test
Required. China is not on the EU Annex II list of approved third countries. FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Blood draw at least 30 days after the final rabies vaccination. 90-day waiting period from the blood draw date before EU entry. Source: EU pet travel regulations, ec.europa.eu.
Quarantine
No quarantine on arrival in Germany for compliant pets.
Import permit
No formal import permit required. The Animal Health Certificate (AHC) serves as the entry document.
Health certificate
Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from an official vet in China, countersigned by GACC, in the EU-specified format. Valid 10 days from examination to German entry. Source: European Commission pet travel rules.
Leaving China
Export requirements
Export permit
GACC export permit required. Apply to local GACC office with health certificate, microchip record, and vaccination history. Allow 3-4 weeks. Approved departure airports: Beijing Capital (PEK), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN).
Health certificate
Official health certificate in EU-required AHC format, issued by a GACC-authorised vet, countersigned by a GACC official. Issued within 14 days of arrival in Germany. 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
Rabies vaccination and microchip: approximately CNY 500-1,500
FAVN titre test at EU-approved laboratory: approximately CNY 4,000-10,000 or EUR 300-600
AHC from GACC-authorised vet: approximately CNY 500-1,500
Cargo fees China to Germany: approximately EUR 800-2,500 depending on pet size and airline
Pet transport agent fee: EUR 400-1,200 if used
Realistic total: EUR 2,500-6,000
Critical points
The 90-day wait from the titre test blood draw date cannot be shortened. Start titre test at least 5 months before your planned German arrival (30 days for vaccination to settle, then 90 days waiting). Source: EU pet travel regulations.
Germany has strict federal breed restrictions. Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Bull Terriers are banned from import at federal level. Source: German Dog Import Restriction Act (Hundeverbringungs- und -einfuhrbeschraenkungsgesetz).
The AHC must be in the EU-specified format, not a general Chinese export certificate. Your GACC-authorised vet must know the correct format. Use a specialist agent if unsure.
This route requires a titre test: unlike China-to-Canada or China-to-Australia (via Singapore, which avoids the EU unlisted country requirement), the Germany route adds the 90-day wait as an unavoidable step.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Air China
Direct cargo from Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG) to Frankfurt (FRA). Cargo only on international routes. Full documentation review before acceptance at cargo desk.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
Direct services PEK/PVG to Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC). Larger pets travel in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round.
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Via Hong Kong (HKG) hub to Frankfurt. AFCD transit rules apply during HKG connection. Useful option if departing from southern Chinese cities.
Cargo Only
Air France/KLM
Via Paris CDG or Amsterdam AMS connections to German airports. Small pets in-cabin on some segments. Cargo for larger pets. Check with the carrier for specific China-departure routing.
Cargo Only
Germany entry requirements at a glance
Bringing a pet into Germany involves a fair amount of documentation. Keep everything organised and check each item against the current requirements before you book.
Getting the details right
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.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Yes. China is not on the EU Annex II list of approved third countries. Pets from China need an FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. The blood draw must be at least 30 days after the final rabies vaccination. A mandatory 90-day waiting period from the blood draw date applies before EU (including German) entry. Source: European Commission pet travel rules.
Allow 20-28 weeks. The timeline is driven by the 90-day post-titre wait. To meet the minimum, you need at least 30 days from final vaccination to blood draw, then 90 days of waiting, plus time for GACC processing and the AHC issuance close to departure.
No. The 90-day wait is calculated from the date of the titre test blood draw. The vaccination history informs when the blood draw can be done (at least 30 days after the final vaccination), but does not waive the titre test requirement for pets from unlisted countries like China.
Germany bans import of Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Bull Terriers at the federal level. Individual German states (Bundeslaender) have additional restricted breed lists. Check both federal and state rules before travel. Source: German Dog Import Restriction Act.
International cargo-only is standard on Air China and Lufthansa Cargo services from China to Germany. Some carriers permit small pets in-cabin on connecting flights (for example, Lufthansa allows in-cabin pets on some European-segment connections), but for the long-haul China-to-Frankfurt leg, cargo is the primary option for most pets.
Airline guides
Air China
Lufthansa Cargo
Cathay Pacific
Air France/KLM
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.