In short:
Preparing to move a pet from France to China
typically takes around 36-44 weeks.
Expect 30 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
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Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
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Overview
Taking your dog or cat from France to China comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Budget around 36-44 weeks and start early, because the mandatory waits on this route stack up quickly. Factor in 30 days of quarantine at the destination.
Whether a rabies titre test is needed depends on your pet's origin, so confirm against the rules below. Everything you need, from documents to carriers, is broken down below.
Step by step
The France to China process
1
Week 0. Non-negotiable.
STEP 1: ISO 15-digit microchip before any vaccination
Responsible: French vet
2
After microchip.
STEP 2: Rabies vaccination (within 12 months of travel, 30+ days before titre test)
Responsible: French vet
3
Blood drawn 30+ days post-vaccination. 180-day clock starts.
STEP 3: FAVN titre test at GACC-approved laboratory (SCELAB France may qualify)
Responsible: French vet + GACC-approved lab
4
Cannot be shortened.
STEP 4: 180-day wait from blood draw
Responsible: N/A
5
Before booking cargo.
STEP 5: Confirm entry airport is GACC-approved
Responsible: You or agent
6
Before travel. Dogs: 30 days.
STEP 6: Pre-book GACC quarantine facility at destination
Responsible: You or agent
7
Week 30+
STEP 7: Book Air France or Air China Cargo CDG to Chinese city
Responsible: You or agent
8
Within 10 days of travel.
STEP 8: DDPP-endorsed GACC health certificate
Responsible: DDPP-authorised vet + DDPP
9
Pre-paid and pre-booked.
STEP 9: Arrive at GACC airport. 30-day dog quarantine.
Responsible: GACC quarantine facility
Checklist
China: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required (ISO 15-digit). Before any vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 30 days before travel. Within 12 months of travel.
Rabies titre test
Required for most countries including France. FAVN at GACC-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn 30+ days post-vaccination. 180-day wait from blood draw.
Quarantine
Mandatory. Dogs: 30 days at GACC-approved quarantine facility. Cats: 7 days if from approved countries.
Import permit
Required. One dog or cat per person per year limit.
Health certificate
DDPP-endorsed certificate in GACC format. Within 10 days of travel.
No formal export permit for personal pets from France.
Health certificate
Official health certificate endorsed by DDPP in GACC format. Within 10 days of travel.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Air France or Air China Cargo fees CDG to Chinese city
2
IATA-compliant crate
3
FAVN titre test at GACC-approved lab
4
DDPP health certificate endorsement
5
30-day GACC quarantine fees (dogs, owner pays)
6
Import customs duties
7
Agent fee (strongly recommended)
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ One dog or cat per person per year: China enforces this strictly.
⚠ 30-day dog quarantine mandatory and at owner's expense.
⚠ GACC entry airports are specific. Confirm before booking cargo.
⚠ GACC requirements change. Verify at gacc.gov.cn before starting.
⚠ 180-day wait cannot be shortened.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Air France
Air France Cargo CDG to PEK, PVG, CAN direct. National carrier of origin with strong CDG cargo. Primary option from Paris.
Cargo Only
Air China
Air China Cargo CDG-PEK. Chinese national carrier with GACC arrival familiarity at Beijing.
Cargo Only
China Eastern
China Eastern Cargo CDG-PVG. Shanghai hub. GACC-experienced.
Cargo Only
China Southern
China Southern Cargo CDG-CAN. Guangzhou hub.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt FRA to Chinese cities. Brachycephalic breeds restricted.
Cargo Only
Meeting China's entry requirements
Getting a pet into China means meeting a demanding set of rules with no shortcuts. Start from the earliest deadline and work forward from there.
Advice worth following
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
Yes. China’s GACC requires a FAVN titre test for pets from most countries including France. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml at a GACC-approved laboratory, followed by a mandatory 180-day wait from the blood draw date.
30 days at a GACC-approved quarantine facility in China, paid by the owner. This is mandatory and runs after arrival, separate from the 180-day pre-travel wait.
One dog or one cat per person per year under Chinese customs regulations. Multi-pet households must assign each pet to a named individual traveller.
Air France Cargo offers direct CDG flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern are Chinese carriers with strong GACC arrival familiarity at their respective hubs.
Allow 36-44 weeks. The 180-day wait after the titre test blood draw is the main constraint. Add 30 days quarantine on arrival for dogs.
Airline guides
Air France
Air China
China Eastern
China Southern
Lufthansa
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.