Pet Transport Hong Kong to Germany: 2026 Guide
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →
The Hong Kong to Germany process
Responsible: Vet in Hong Kong
Responsible: Vet in Hong Kong
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: AFCD-registered vet plus AFCD endorsement
Responsible: Airline cargo and German customs
Germany: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must predate the rabies vaccination. |
| Rabies vaccination | Valid rabies vaccination required. 21-day wait after primary vaccination. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required. Hong Kong is on the EU's listed third countries schedule under EU Regulation 576/2013. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026. |
| Quarantine | No quarantine for compliant pets. German customs (Zoll) inspects at Frankfurt (FRA). |
| Import permit | No import permit required. AFCD-endorsed EU-format health certificate is the required document. |
| Health certificate | EU-format certificate endorsed by AFCD, issued within 10 days of travel. |
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No formal export permit required for companion animals from Hong Kong beyond the AFCD health certificate. Primary departure airport: Hong Kong International (HKG). |
| Health certificate | Official veterinary health certificate issued by an AFCD-registered vet and endorsed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). EU-format required. Issued within 10 days of travel. |
What this route typically costs
| 1 | AFCD health certificate and endorsement: HKD 500-1,500 (approximately EUR 60-190) |
| 2 | IATA-compliant crate: EUR 80-250 if needed |
| 3 | Cargo HKG to FRA (Cathay Pacific or Lufthansa direct): EUR 700-1,800 depending on crate size |
| 4 | Pet transport agent (optional): EUR 150-400 |
| 5 | Total typical range: EUR 1,040-2,640 |
Read before you book
Airlines on this route
Hong Kong EU-listed: no titre test and the AFCD health certificate process
EU Regulation 576/2013 lists Hong Kong as a recognised territory for pet movement. Hong Kong pets entering Germany need only a valid ISO microchip, a current rabies vaccination (21-day wait after a primary course), and the AFCD-endorsed EU-format health certificate. No titre test, no 3-month wait. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026.
The AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) is Hong Kong’s official authority for animal export health certification. An AFCD-registered vet issues the EU-format health certificate within 10 days of travel; AFCD endorses it before departure. The process is familiar to experienced vets in Hong Kong, given the volume of international pet relocations from the city.
Cathay Pacific direct to Frankfurt and Germany's Bundesland breed rules
Cathay Pacific Cargo operates direct from Hong Kong (HKG) to Frankfurt (FRA) and accepts live animal cargo on this route. Lufthansa Cargo also offers a direct HKG-FRA service. Both airlines have live animal handling facilities at Frankfurt, Germany’s main cargo entry point for pets from Asia.
Germany bans Pit Bull Terrier and Tosa Inu at federal level. Each Bundesland then adds its own restrictions; Bavaria is the most restrictive, covering Rottweiler, American Bulldog, and a range of other breeds. If your dog falls into any potentially restricted category, check the specific Bundesland rules for your destination city before committing to the move.
Common questions
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