Pet Import to Hong Kong

Hong Kong uses a country group system similar to Singapore’s. The required quarantine period depends on which group your origin country falls into. Group 1 countries (Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan) are lowest-risk and require the shortest quarantine. Group 2 includes USA, Canada, most EU countries, with a longer pre-arrival preparation period. Group 3 has the most stringent requirements.

All pets require an import permit, issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). The permit must be obtained before the pet travels. Inspection happens at the Kai Tak Animal Management Centre on arrival.

Cats and dogs are accepted. Rabbits and other pets have separate requirements. The overall process is well-run but requires lead time for documentation and permit processing.

The group system

Hong Kong classifies origin countries into three groups, and your quarantine period depends on which group your country falls into. Group 1 (UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, and a few others) is lowest-risk. Group 2 includes USA, Canada, and most European countries. Group 3 covers the remaining accepted countries with longer preparation requirements.

Not all countries are in an approved group. If your origin country isn’t on the AFCD approved list, your pet cannot enter Hong Kong directly. It would need to first reside in an approved country long enough to complete the import requirements from that country.

The permit and arrival process

All pets require an import licence from the AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department), obtained before travel. On arrival, pets go to the AFCD’s holding facility at Kai Tak for inspection. If documentation is correct, they are released relatively quickly. If anything is missing, pets may be detained.

Hong Kong does not have a rabies quarantine facility in the way Australia does. But it does require that documentation is complete and that pets arrive via approved routes. The most common entry point for air cargo is Hong Kong International Airport.