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Importing Your Pet to China

Strict to import
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared by , International Animal Health Consultant

The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) regulates pets brought into China, under GACC Announcement 2019 No. 5, in force from 1 May 2019. Only dogs or cats may be brought in, and each person is limited to one pet per entry. Every pet needs an electronic microchip, plus a valid quarantine (health) certificate and a rabies vaccination certificate issued by the official animal quarantine authority of the exporting country.

Where your pet is coming from decides the rest. GACC’s default is 30 days’ quarantine at a customs-designated isolation facility, unless an exemption applies. Pets from designated countries or regions with a valid microchip that pass the on-site inspection are exempt. Pets from anywhere else are exempt only with a rabies antibody report of at least 0.5 IU/ml from a GACC-accepted laboratory, plus the microchip and a satisfactory inspection.

Import Requirements

Every requirement below is taken from an official government page, and each one links to the page it comes from. The rules were last checked on 5 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked page again before you book.

Who is in charge

Where your pet travels from

GroupWhat appliesOrigins
Designated countries or regionsExempt from quarantine with a valid microchip and a satisfactory on-site inspection; no rabies antibody report needed SourceNew Zealand, Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii (USA), Guam (USA), Jamaica, Iceland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Macao (China)
Non-designated countries or regionsExempt from quarantine only with a valid microchip, a rabies antibody report of at least 0.5 IU/ml from a GACC-accepted laboratory and a satisfactory on-site inspection; otherwise 30 days at a customs-designated quarantine site, entering at a port with quarantine facilities Sourceall origins not on the designated list
  • GACC divides origins into designated and non-designated countries or regions; the lists of designated countries, accepted antibody laboratories and ports with quarantine facilities are as published by GACC.
    海关总署公告2019年第5号（关于进一步规范携带宠物入境检疫监管工作的公告）, checked 3 October 2026
  • GACC designated (quarantine-exempt with a valid microchip) countries and regions, as published by the Shanghai municipal government citing Shanghai Customs (page dated 12 December 2023): New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Guam, Jamaica, Iceland, the UK, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macao. All other origins are non-designated and need a rabies antibody report to avoid quarantine.
    How to bring pets to China, checked 3 October 2026

Import permit

  • Not required: Per Australian Government DAFF guidance for exports from Australia (Micor China entry, rewritten 11 August 2026 from information on the GACC website, last reviewed 18 August 2026): a pet dog or cat is exempt from China's import permit requirement. If one traveller has more than one pet, the pets are treated as a commercial consignment needing an import permit (and GACC allows only one pet per person per entry). China's own pages read (GACC Announcement 2019 No. 5 on gov.cn and the Shanghai guide) do not mention an import permit for pets, so this exporting-government guidance is the explicit statement relied on. Applies to pet dogs and cats travelling from Australia (DAFF states it generally, from the GACC website).
    Micor: Live animals, China (CN), Dogs (entry last reviewed 18 August 2026), checked 3 October 2026
  • Not listed: the 'What to prepare' lists in the Shanghai municipal government guide (sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025) for pets from designated and from non-designated countries or regions name only the quarantine (health) certificate, the rabies vaccination certificate, the rabies antibody report (non-designated origins only) and an ISO 11784/11785 microchip. No import permit is listed. GACC's own Annex 1 to Announcement 2019 No. 5 (detailed entry requirements) is published only on customs.gov.cn, which is unreadable (Chrome error page, listed in SITES.md); the gov.cn, China E-port and Ministry of Commerce copies omit the annex text.
    How to bring a pet to Shanghai, checked 3 October 2026

Microchip

Rabies vaccination

  • Per USDA APHIS guidance for exports from the US (page updated 11 February 2026): the pet must have had at least two rabies vaccinations in its lifetime and be current on rabies vaccination on arrival in China. Applies to dogs and cats travelling from the US.
    Pet Travel From the United States to China, checked 3 October 2026
  • Every pet dog or cat must arrive with a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued by the official animal quarantine authority of the exporting country or region, together with the quarantine certificate (GACC Announcement 2019 No. 5, Beijing government English translation).
    Announcement [2019] No. 5 of GACC on Further Regulations Regarding the Quarantine and Supervision of Pets Entering China, checked 3 October 2026
    Official sources differThe Shanghai municipal government guide (sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025) (https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-KeepingAPetInShanghai/20240927/988d600b49964546b41d3c342e4ebdb2.html) answers that pets from Australia 'do not need a rabies vaccination or titer test'. GACC's national announcement is kept because it is the governing rule and DAFF's August 2026 guidance for Australian pets also lists a rabies vaccination certificate.
  • No fixed timing rule: asked whether rabies vaccination must be given within a set period (such as one month to one year) before entry, the Shanghai municipal government guide (sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025) says there is no fixed rule; vaccinate under a licensed vet following the vaccine manufacturer's guidelines.
    How to bring a pet to Shanghai, checked 3 October 2026

Rabies titre test

  • Exemption 2: pets from non-designated countries are exempt from quarantine if microchipped, with a rabies antibody report from a GACC-accepted laboratory showing at least 0.5 IU/ml, and passing on-site inspection. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated countries or regions.
    海关总署公告2019年第5号（关于进一步规范携带宠物入境检疫监管工作的公告）, checked 3 October 2026
  • Per USDA APHIS guidance for exports from the US (page updated 11 February 2026): the titre sample must be taken on or after the day of the second rabies vaccination, and results are valid up to one year from sampling; five US laboratories are listed. Applies to dogs and cats travelling from the US.
    Pet Travel From the United States to China, checked 3 October 2026
  • Not required: pets from GACC designated countries or regions do not need a rabies antibody (titre) test and may enter through any port with the correct health and vaccination certificates (Shanghai municipal government guide (sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025)). Applies to dogs and cats from GACC designated countries or regions.
    How to bring a pet to Shanghai, checked 3 October 2026
  • For non-designated origins (Shanghai municipal government guide (sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025)): the rabies antibody report must come from a laboratory recognised by China Customs, the blood sample must be taken no earlier than the second rabies vaccination, the titre must be above 0.5 IU/ml, and the result is valid for one year from the date of blood collection. The same guide says a second vaccination is only needed when a new antibody test is needed. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated countries or regions.
    How to bring a pet to Shanghai, checked 3 October 2026

Health certificate

  • The traveller must give customs a valid quarantine (health) certificate and a rabies vaccination certificate issued by the official animal quarantine authority of the exporting country or region.
    海关总署公告2019年第5号（关于进一步规范携带宠物入境检疫监管工作的公告）, checked 3 October 2026
  • Per USDA APHIS guidance for exports from the US (page updated 11 February 2026): the health certificate is issued by a USDA-accredited vet within 14 days of arrival in China and electronically endorsed by USDA APHIS. Applies to dogs and cats travelling from the US.
    Pet Travel From the United States to China, checked 3 October 2026
  • Pets must have an animal health clinical inspection by the official agencies of the departing country or region within 14 days before arrival in China.
    How to bring pets to China, checked 3 October 2026
  • Per Australian Government DAFF guidance for exports from Australia (Micor China entry, rewritten 11 August 2026 from information on the GACC website, last reviewed 18 August 2026): pet dogs and cats need an Australian Government endorsed health certificate, a rabies vaccination certificate, an ISO microchip, and a veterinary inspection within 14 days of arrival showing no evidence of infectious or contagious diseases or external parasites. Applies to pet dogs and cats travelling from Australia.
    Micor: Live animals, China (CN), Dogs (entry last reviewed 18 August 2026), checked 3 October 2026

Other vaccines and tests

  • Per Australian Government DAFF guidance for exports from Australia (Micor China entry, rewritten 11 August 2026 from information on the GACC website, last reviewed 18 August 2026): the Department understands that certain Chinese ports require distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus vaccination for dogs and feline panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus vaccination for cats; it strongly recommends these vaccinations, with the certificates presented for endorsement. The ports are not named. Applies to dogs and cats entering China (DAFF guidance for exports from Australia).
    Micor: Live animals, China (CN), Dogs (entry last reviewed 18 August 2026), checked 3 October 2026
    Official sources differGACC Announcement 2019 No. 5 (https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2019-11/04/content_5448320.htm) and the Shanghai 'What to prepare' lists (https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-KeepingAPetInShanghai/20240927/988d600b49964546b41d3c342e4ebdb2.html) name only rabies vaccination, so these vaccines are not on the published lists; the DAFF statement is kept because exporting-government guidance says some ports require them.
  • For pets from Australia, the Shanghai municipal government guide (sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025) says the owner needs the official Australian animal health certificate, a vaccination certificate for other diseases and a microchip. Applies to dogs and cats from Australia.
    How to bring a pet to Shanghai, checked 3 October 2026

Parasite treatment

  • Not listed: the 'What to prepare' lists in the Shanghai municipal government guide (sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025) for designated and non-designated origins contain no parasite treatment. Asked separately, the same guide says deworming is recommended, not required (next entry). GACC's own Annex 1 to Announcement 2019 No. 5 (detailed entry requirements) is published only on customs.gov.cn, which is unreadable (Chrome error page, listed in SITES.md); the gov.cn, China E-port and Ministry of Commerce copies omit the annex text.
    How to bring a pet to Shanghai, checked 3 October 2026
  • Recommended, not required: asked whether a pet must be dewormed before entry, the Shanghai municipal government guide (sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025) answers that deworming is recommended, with the timing set by the product's instructions or the vet. On arrival customs examines the pet for signs of infectious or parasitic diseases.
    How to bring a pet to Shanghai, checked 3 October 2026

Quarantine

Arrival points and notice

  • Pets that need quarantine must enter through a port that has quarantine facilities. Applies to dogs and cats needing quarantine.
    Announcement [2019] No. 5 of GACC on Further Regulations Regarding the Quarantine and Supervision of Pets Entering China, checked 3 October 2026
  • Per USDA APHIS guidance for exports from the US (page updated 11 February 2026): pets not meeting the quarantine exemptions must enter at a designated port with quarantine facilities: Beijing Capital Airport, Beijing West Railway Station, Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Pudong airports, Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai International Passenger Transport Center, Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, Urumqi Diwopu Airport, Alashankou and Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, and serve 30 days of quarantine. Applies to dogs and cats travelling from the US that need quarantine.
    Pet Travel From the United States to China, checked 3 October 2026
  • Per USDA APHIS guidance for exports from the US (page updated 11 February 2026): Chinese Customs must be notified of the pet's arrival in advance, and the pet, fees and certificates are taken to the GACC office at the airport on arrival. Applies to dogs and cats travelling from the US.
    Pet Travel From the United States to China, checked 3 October 2026
  • Pets that need quarantine must enter at a port with quarantine facilities and are quarantined for 30 days at a customs-designated site. Applies to dogs and cats needing quarantine.
    How to bring pets to China, checked 3 October 2026
  • The pet must be declared to customs on entry; customs checks the documents, scans the microchip and carries out an on-site clinical inspection (Shanghai municipal government guide (sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025)).
    How to bring a pet to Shanghai, checked 3 October 2026

Minimum age

  • No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

How many pets

Banned and restricted breeds

  • No breed is barred by GACC Announcement 2019 No. 5, but cities set their own bans on keeping dogs: Shanghai bans 24 breeds citywide, including Tibetan Mastiff, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Dobermann, Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier (Shanghai Municipal Commission of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, updated 1 April 2024). Applies to dogs moving to Shanghai.
    Dog breeds prohibited in Shanghai, checked 3 October 2026
  • Shenzhen bans the keeping of 38 'ferocious' dog breeds in residential, commercial and industrial areas and other areas the city designates, under article 9 of the Shenzhen Dog Regulations (Shenzhen Administration for Market Regulation notice 深市监规〔2024〕6号, dated 19 June 2024, in force 5 July 2024 for five years). The list includes Tibetan Mastiff, Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa, Bull Terrier, Mastiff, Cane Corso, Great Dane, Staffordshire Terrier, Akita, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Belgian and Dutch Shepherds, Czech Wolfdog, Irish Wolfhound, Saint Bernard and Boxer. Check the destination city's own dog rules before moving any large or guarding breed. Applies to dogs moving to Shenzhen.
    深圳市市场监督管理局关于公布烈性犬名单的通告 (深市监规〔2024〕6号), checked 5 October 2026
  • Only legally owned domestic dogs and cats may be brought in; hybrid cats such as Bengals may need CITES permits, and the guide recommends that the health certificate describe the animal as a domestic cat (Shanghai municipal government guide (sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025)). Applies to hybrid cats such as Bengals.
    How to bring a pet to Shanghai, checked 3 October 2026

How your pet may travel

  • GACC Announcement 2019 No. 5 covers live animals carried into China by an arriving traveller and limits them to dogs or cats (one per person per entry). How the pet may travel (cabin, hold, cargo, separately from the owner) is recorded in the other mode_of_travel entries. Applies to dogs and cats carried by an arriving traveller.
    海关总署公告2019年第5号（关于进一步规范携带宠物入境检疫监管工作的公告）, checked 3 October 2026
  • The Shanghai municipal government guide (sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025) says pets can travel in the cabin (if the airline allows), as checked baggage or as air cargo; pets arriving as cargo are cleared through a separate customs process for air cargo, and pets arriving as baggage are collected at the oversized luggage area. Applies to dogs and cats arriving by air.
    How to bring a pet to Shanghai, checked 3 October 2026
  • Per Australian Government DAFF guidance for exports from Australia (Micor China entry, rewritten 11 August 2026 from information on the GACC website, last reviewed 18 August 2026): in March 2026 the Chinese authority advised that a pet dog or cat need not travel on the same flight as its owner and may be transported separately, but must arrive within 5 days after the owner's arrival. Applies to pet dogs and cats (DAFF guidance for exports from Australia, citing advice from the Chinese authority).
    Micor: Live animals, China (CN), Dogs (entry last reviewed 18 August 2026), checked 3 October 2026
    Official sources differUK APHA notes for guidance 8902NFG (agreed 18/12/2025, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69a85a064dfc5b27a0669b50/8902NFG.pdf) say certificate 8902EHC is for a single cat or dog per person per entry where the animal accompanies the person. The DAFF entry is newer (Chinese advice of March 2026) and is kept.

Official fees

  • China Customs charges no fee for the inspection of items (including pets) carried by inbound travellers, per the GACC online service guide. Costs at a quarantine facility, where quarantine applies, are not published on an official page.
    办事指南：出入境人员携带物检疫, checked 3 October 2026

Other conditions

  • Exemption 3: guide dogs, hearing dogs and search and rescue dogs with a valid microchip are exempt from quarantine if the traveller provides the matching proof of use and professional training certificates and the dog passes on-site inspection. Applies to guide, hearing and search and rescue dogs.
    海关总署公告2019年第5号（关于进一步规范携带宠物入境检疫监管工作的公告）, checked 3 October 2026
  • Pets are ordered to be returned within a time limit or destroyed if the traveller exceeds the limit or cannot produce a valid official quarantine certificate or rabies vaccination certificate.
    海关总署公告2019年第5号（关于进一步规范携带宠物入境检疫监管工作的公告）, checked 3 October 2026
  • Per USDA APHIS guidance for exports from the US (page updated 11 February 2026): dogs must be registered with the local police where the owner lives within one month of arrival in China. Applies to dogs travelling from the US.
    Pet Travel From the United States to China, checked 3 October 2026
  • Per Australian Government DAFF guidance for exports from Australia (Micor China entry, rewritten 11 August 2026 from information on the GACC website, last reviewed 18 August 2026): the person bringing the pet must fill in the Registration Form for pet dogs and cats entering China (Annex 3 of GACC Announcement 2019 No. 5, listed on the gov.cn copy). Applies to pet dogs and cats travelling from Australia.
    Micor: Live animals, China (CN), Dogs (entry last reviewed 18 August 2026), checked 3 October 2026
  • A pet returning to China cannot re-use the Animal Health Certificate that Chinese customs issued when it left; it needs a new animal health certificate from the country it is departing from (Shanghai municipal government guide (sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025)). Applies to dogs and cats returning to China.
    How to bring a pet to Shanghai, checked 3 October 2026
  • Advisory: elderly, frail, pregnant or lactating pets, or pets with existing conditions, may not be fit for transport or quarantine, and a vet should confirm fitness to travel (Shanghai municipal government guide (sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025)).
    How to bring a pet to Shanghai, checked 3 October 2026

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Quarantine and ports of entry

A pet that qualifies for one of GACC’s exemptions avoids quarantine altogether. There are three: pets from designated countries or regions, pets from non-designated origins with an acceptable antibody report, and microchipped guide, hearing or search and rescue dogs with their proof of use and training certificates. Each still has to pass the on-site inspection.

A pet that qualifies for none of them spends 30 days at a customs-designated site and must enter at a port with quarantine facilities. USDA APHIS lists these ports as Beijing Capital Airport, Beijing West Railway Station, Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Pudong airports, Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai International Passenger Transport Center, Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, Urumqi Diwopu Airport, Alashankou and Guangzhou Baiyun Airport.

China Customs charges no fee for inspecting pets carried by inbound travellers, according to the GACC online service guide, but quarantine facility costs are not published on an official page. If the traveller cannot produce a valid official quarantine certificate or rabies vaccination certificate, the pet is ordered to be returned within a time limit or destroyed.

Rabies titre test and preparation timeline

A rabies antibody (titre) test is needed only for pets from non-designated countries or regions. The Shanghai municipal government guide, citing Shanghai Customs, says the report must come from a laboratory recognised by China Customs, the blood sample must be taken no earlier than the second rabies vaccination, the titre must be above 0.5 IU/ml, and the result is valid for one year from the date of blood collection. GACC publishes its own list of accepted laboratories, so check that your vet’s laboratory is on it before the sample is taken.

The same guide sets no fixed window between rabies vaccination and entry; vaccinate under a licensed vet following the manufacturer’s guidelines. The health certificate comes last: pets need a clinical inspection by the official agencies of the departing country within 14 days before arrival in China.

Start early. It leaves room to put a mistake right before the flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not always. GACC’s default is 30 days’ quarantine at a customs-designated isolation facility, but pets that qualify for an exemption avoid it. Pets from designated countries or regions need a valid microchip and a satisfactory on-site inspection; pets from elsewhere also need a rabies antibody report of at least 0.5 IU/ml from a GACC-accepted laboratory.

It depends on whether your origin is on China’s designated list, and that single fact changes the move completely.

The Shanghai municipal government, citing Shanghai Customs, lists the designated countries and regions, which include Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. A pet coming from one of those needs a microchip, the official health and rabies vaccination certificates, and no antibody test at all.

From anywhere else, a rabies antibody result of at least 0.5 IU/ml is required to avoid quarantine, and it must come from a laboratory China Customs recognises. Check the laboratory before the blood is drawn, because GACC publishes its own list of accepted laboratories. Without an acceptable result the animal spends 30 days at a customs-designated site and must enter at a port with quarantine facilities.

Separately, and regardless of origin, entry is limited to one dog or one cat per person per entry.

Not for a single pet. Australia’s DAFF, working from information on the GACC website, says a pet dog or cat is exempt from China’s import permit requirement, and the Shanghai municipal government guide lists no import permit among the documents to prepare. If one traveller brings more than one pet, DAFF says they are treated as a commercial consignment that needs an import permit, and GACC allows only one pet per person per entry anyway.

Yes. GACC allows dogs or cats, one per person per entry, and the same microchip, certificate and quarantine rules apply to both. Hybrid cats such as Bengals may need CITES permits, and the Shanghai municipal government guide recommends that the health certificate describe the animal as a domestic cat.

Your pet needs a quarantine (health) certificate issued by the official animal quarantine authority of the exporting country, with a clinical inspection by the official agencies there within 14 days before arrival in China. From the US, USDA APHIS says a USDA-accredited vet issues it within 14 days of arrival and APHIS endorses it electronically. Ask your own country’s official veterinary authority which form applies to you.

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  • Code: CN

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