CN
China
✈️
HK
Hong Kong
Pet Transport from China to Hong Kong
11
Sourced facts for this journey
8 Oct 2026
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Mainland dogs and cats face a minimum of 30 days' quarantine in Hong Kong, down from 120. Hong Kong accepts certificates from official veterinarians of Mainland Customs of all regions. Dogs and cats from the Mainland may enter through any of Hong Kong's land border control points, arriving between 9:00am and 5:00pm.
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Official rules on this page checked
What does China require for Hong Kong before the flight?
- AFCD's Mainland page says a specific animal health certificate has been mutually agreed for dogs and cats imported from the Mainland.
AFCD: Importing dogs and cats from the Mainland (page dated 3 September 2026), checked 8 October 2026 - AFCD's Mainland page says that for regions other than Shenzhen you should contact the relevant regional office of GACC directly.
AFCD: Importing dogs and cats from the Mainland (page dated 3 September 2026), checked 8 October 2026 - The same AFCD page points to Shenzhen Customs for its requirements for issuing the animal health certificate.
AFCD: Importing dogs and cats from the Mainland (page dated 3 September 2026), checked 8 October 2026 - Article 24 of the GACC measures on quarantine of articles carried by inbound and outbound persons says that where the destination country or region or the traveller requires quarantine for an animal leaving China, the traveller applies and customs carries out the quarantine and issues the documents.
出入境人员携带物检疫管理办法 (GACC measures, as amended 23 November 2018), State Council policy library, checked 8 October 2026 - A Hong Kong government press release of 30 September 2025 said animal health certificates issued by official veterinarians of Mainland Customs of all regions are now accepted.
Hong Kong Government press release: AFCD optimises quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs imported from Mainland (30 September 2025), checked 8 October 2026 - AFCD's Mainland page asks that the chosen entry control point be clearly specified on application form AF301.
AFCD: Importing dogs and cats from the Mainland (page dated 3 September 2026), checked 8 October 2026 - AFCD's Mainland page says the quarantine period for cats and dogs imported from the Mainland is shortened from 120 days to 30 days.
AFCD: Importing dogs and cats from the Mainland (page dated 3 September 2026), checked 8 October 2026
Where does the journey connect and land?
- AFCD's Mainland page says dogs and cats imported from the Mainland may enter Hong Kong through any of the land border control points.
AFCD: Importing dogs and cats from the Mainland (page dated 3 September 2026), checked 8 October 2026 - AFCD's Mainland page says that if the animal arrives by land, it must arrive at the specified border control point between 9:00am and 5:00 pm.
AFCD: Importing dogs and cats from the Mainland (page dated 3 September 2026), checked 8 October 2026
Where can the rabies blood test be done?
- AFCD's Mainland page says the number of recognised laboratories in the Mainland has been increased to four.
AFCD: Importing dogs and cats from the Mainland (page dated 3 September 2026), checked 8 October 2026 - AFCD's Group IIIA permit terms say the test must be conducted by the FAVN or RFFIT method in a laboratory recognised by AFCD.
AFCD: Permit Terms DC-06v03 for importing dogs and cats from Group IIIA (September 2026), checked 8 October 2026
Which Hong Kong rules depend on a pet coming from China?
Hong Kong sorts countries into 4 groups, and China falls in “Group IIIA”.
Minimum 30 days' quarantine; RNATT 90 days to 1 year before export (effective 3 June 2025 for the Mainland) Official source
These rules apply to that group, on top of the rules every pet follows:
- Quarantine: Group IIIA: minimum 30 days' quarantine in an AFCD Animal Management Centre or a Licensed Quarantine Centre. Applies to dogs and cats from Group IIIA.
DC-06 Permit terms, Group IIIA, checked 1 October 2026 - Quarantine: AFCD quarantine kennels must be booked (form PC100); the estimated average wait is about 3 months for dogs and 6 months for cats. Applies to dogs and cats needing quarantine (Groups IIIA and IIIB).
Import of Dogs and Cats from Group IIIB countries/places, checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Group IIIA: RNATT on a blood sample taken 90 days to 1 year before export, result at least 0.5 IU/ml, at an approved laboratory. Applies to dogs and cats from Group IIIA.
Import of Dogs and Cats from Group IIIA countries/places, checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Mainland China (Group IIIA): the rabies antibody test (RNATT) must be done at a laboratory recognised by AFCD; four laboratories on the Mainland are now recognised (listed in permit terms DC-06v03). Applies to dogs and cats from the Chinese Mainland.
Quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs imported from the Mainland, checked 2 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Group IIIA: the RNATT must use the FAVN or RFFIT method at an AFCD-approved laboratory with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml; the recognised laboratories are listed in permit terms DC-06v03 (including four in the Mainland, plus labs such as APHA (UK), Kansas State University and the US CDC). Applies to dogs and cats from Group IIIA.
Import of Dogs and Cats from Group IIIA countries/places, checked 1 October 2026 - Health certificate: Group IIIA: animal health certificate issued not more than 7 days before export. Applies to dogs and cats from Group IIIA.
Import of Dogs and Cats from Group IIIA countries/places, checked 1 October 2026 - Health certificate: Mainland pets need the specific animal health certificate agreed between AFCD and GACC, issued by a government veterinary officer. Applies to dogs and cats from the Chinese Mainland.
Quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs imported from the Mainland, checked 2 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: Group IIIA: inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine 30 days to 1 year before export; for a primary vaccination the animal must have been at least 90 days old. Applies to dogs and cats from Group IIIA.
DC-06 Permit terms, Group IIIA, checked 1 October 2026 - How your pet may travel: Pets must arrive as manifested cargo; excess baggage or hand-carried baggage is not permitted. Route must be the fastest and most direct. Applies to dogs and cats from Group I (same in Group II, IIIA, IIIB terms).
DC-01 Permit terms, Group I, checked 1 October 2026 - Arrival points and notice: The permittee must notify the AFCD Import and Export Section duty officer at least 24 hours before arrival.
DC-03 Permit terms, Group IIIB, checked 1 October 2026 - Arrival points and notice: Pets from the Mainland arriving by land must reach the border control point named on the application between 9am and 5pm (AFCD Mainland page, revised 3 September 2026). Applies to dogs and cats from the Chinese Mainland.
Quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs imported from the Mainland, checked 2 October 2026Official sources differ
AFCD permit terms DC-06v03 (https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quarantine/qua_ie/qua_ie_ipab/qua_ie_ipab_idc/files/DC_06v03_Permit_Terms_for_import_dog_cat_from_Gp3A_Sep26B.pdf) say: 'If importing from Mainland, the animals must arrive at a designated border control point in Hong Kong between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.' That wording does not limit the time window to land arrivals; the newer, more specific Mainland web page limits it to land arrivals and also allows Hong Kong International Airport. For an air arrival from the Mainland, plan within 9am to 5pm or confirm with AFCD. - Arrival points and notice: Dogs and cats from the Mainland may enter through any land border control point or Hong Kong International Airport; the chosen entry point must be named on application form AF301 (AFCD Mainland page, revised 3 September 2026). Applies to dogs and cats from the Chinese Mainland.
Quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs imported from the Mainland, checked 2 October 2026 - Microchip: For Group IIIA, the microchip must be implanted before rabies vaccination and blood sampling. Applies to dogs and cats from Group IIIA.
Import of Dogs and Cats from Group IIIA countries/places, checked 1 October 2026 - Minimum age: Group IIIA terms set no separate minimum import age; the age conditions are that a primary rabies vaccination must have been given at 90 days old or over (followed by a blood test at least 90 days before export), and pets more than 4 weeks pregnant must not be imported. Applies to dogs and cats from Group IIIA.
DC-06 Permit terms, Group IIIA, checked 1 October 2026
The rules that apply to every pet entering Hong Kong, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Hong Kong guide.
What does China require before your pet leaves?
- Export health certificate: National rule for all ports (GACC Measures on Quarantine of Articles Carried by Inbound and Outbound Persons, as amended 23 November 2018, article 24): where the destination country or region or the traveller requires quarantine for a pet leaving China, the traveller applies to customs, which inspects the pet and issues the certificate. The GACC online service guide for traveller quarantine says no fee is charged. Applies to dogs and cats leaving China through any port.
出入境人员携带物检疫管理办法（海关总署）, checked 5 October 2026
FAQ
Common questions
Under article 24 of the GACC measures on articles carried by travellers, the traveller applies and customs carries out the quarantine and issues the documents where the destination or the traveller requires quarantine for the animal. On the Hong Kong side, AFCD says a specific animal health certificate has been mutually agreed for dogs and cats from the Mainland.
AFCD's Mainland page points to Shenzhen Customs for its requirements for issuing the certificate, and says that for other regions you should contact the relevant regional office of GACC directly. Hong Kong said in September 2025 that certificates issued by official veterinarians of Mainland Customs of all regions are now accepted.
Yes, AFCD says dogs and cats from the Mainland may enter through any of the land border control points, and the chosen point must be clearly specified on application form AF301. By land, the animal must arrive at the specified border control point between 9:00am and 5:00 pm.
AFCD's permit terms say the test must be conducted by the FAVN or RFFIT method in a laboratory recognised by AFCD. AFCD also says the number of recognised laboratories in the Mainland has been increased to four.
Hong Kong does not permit excess baggage or hand-carried baggage.
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Sources
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
- IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations