Pet Transport from China to Spain: EU Titre Test and GACC Export
Shipping a dog or cat from China to Spain rewards owners who start planning early. There is a fair amount of paperwork here, so plan on around 20-28 weeks. No routine quarantine applies as long as …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from China to Spain
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 Spain import process
01
Before first rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip in China.
Responsible: Vet in China
02
After microchip. At least 30 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies vaccination primary course.
Responsible: Vet in China
03
At least 30 days after final vaccination. 90-day wait starts from this date.
FAVN titre test blood draw at an EU-approved laboratory.
Responsible: Vet and EU-approved laboratory
04
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 Spanish entry.
Obtain EU-format AHC from GACC-authorised vet, countersigned by GACC.
Responsible: GACC-authorised vet
07
After 90-day wait has elapsed.
Fly to Madrid or Barcelona via European hub. Spanish customs inspection on arrival.
Responsible: Airline, Spanish customs
Requirements
Spain 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 complete. 21-day wait from initial vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Required. China is not on the EU Annex II approved third-country list. FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Blood draw at least 30 days after final vaccination. Mandatory 90-day wait from blood draw date before EU entry. Source: EU pet travel regulations, ec.europa.eu.
Quarantine
No quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
Import permit
No formal import permit. AHC serves as the entry document.
Health certificate
EU-format Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from GACC-authorised vet in China, countersigned by GACC. Valid 10 days from examination to Spanish entry.
Leaving China
Export requirements
Export permit
GACC export permit required. Apply to local GACC office. Allow 3-4 weeks. Approved departure airports: Beijing Capital (PEK), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN).
Health certificate
Official health certificate in EU AHC format, issued by a GACC-authorised vet, countersigned by a GACC official. Issued within 10 days of entry into Spain. Source: GACC, english.customs.gov.cn.
Costs
What this route typically costs
GACC export permit and health certificate endorsement: approximately CNY 800-2,000
Titre test at EU-approved laboratory: approximately EUR 300-600 or CNY 4,000-10,000
AHC from GACC-authorised vet: approximately CNY 500-1,500
Cargo fees China to Madrid (typically via hub): approximately EUR 1,000-3,000 depending on routing and pet size
Pet transport agent fee: EUR 500-1,500 if used
Realistic total: EUR 3,000-7,000
Critical points
There are no direct cargo flights from China to Spain. All routing to Spain from China involves a European hub connection (Paris CDG, Frankfurt FRA, or Amsterdam AMS). Each connection adds carrier documentation requirements.
The 90-day wait from titre test blood draw date cannot be shortened. Plan at least 5 months before the intended Spanish arrival date.
China is EU-unlisted: titre test is required regardless of vaccination history or duration.
The AHC must be in EU-specified format. A general Chinese export certificate is not sufficient for EU entry into Spain.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Air China
Air China does not currently operate direct services from China to Spain. Connecting routes via Air China Cargo are available with a European hub connection. Cargo only on international routes.
Cargo Only
Iberia / IAG Cargo
Iberia/IAG Cargo connects Madrid Barajas (MAD) to Beijing and Shanghai via European hub connections. MAD is the primary Spanish entry airport for pet cargo. Cargo-only for live animals.
Cargo Only
Air France/KLM
Via Paris CDG or Amsterdam AMS to Madrid MAD. Connecting cargo services. A practical option for China-to-Spain given the lack of direct routing.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
Via Frankfurt FRA to Madrid MAD or Barcelona BCN. Connecting cargo from Beijing or Shanghai via FRA. Confirm live animal acceptance on each leg.
Cargo Only
Spain entry requirements at a glance
Bringing a pet into Spain involves a fair amount of documentation. Keep everything organised and check each item against the current requirements before you book.
Getting the details right
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 about this route
No. There are no direct cargo services from mainland China to Spain. All routings involve a European hub connection (typically Paris CDG, Amsterdam AMS, or Frankfurt FRA). The hub airport is the EU entry point for documentation purposes.
Yes, as part of the EU-unlisted third-country process. China is not on the EU Annex II list. An FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory is required, with a 90-day wait from the blood draw date. Source: EU pet travel regulations, ec.europa.eu.
No quarantine for compliant pets. If all documentation is correct (microchip, vaccination, titre test, 90-day wait elapsed, EU-format AHC), no quarantine is required in Spain or any EU country.
For EU entry purposes, the first EU entry point (in this case Paris CDG) is where the AHC is presented. Your agent or vet should prepare the AHC for French entry if your connecting flight lands in Paris first. This is the standard approach when routing from non-EU countries via EU hubs.
Allow 20-28 weeks total. Timeline is driven by the 90-day post-titre wait (plus at least 30 days from vaccination to blood draw) and the GACC export process. The AHC is issued within 10 days of Spanish (or first EU) entry.
Airline guides
Air China
Iberia / IAG Cargo
Air France/KLM
Lufthansa Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.