In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Hong Kong to Israel
typically takes around 26-32 weeks.
Expect 3 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 Hong Kong to Israel comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Give yourself close to 26-32 weeks, as several stages run on fixed clocks that no agent can shorten. Factor in 3 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 Hong Kong to Israel process
1
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
4
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
Apply for import permit from Israel
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
5
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
6
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
7
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
8
Immediately on arrival (mandatory)
Quarantine on arrival (1-3 days (inspection hold) days)
Responsible: Israel quarantine authority
Checklist
Israel: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel. Rabies vaccination must be current and correctly documented.
Rabies titre test
Required for: All pets except those from approved listed countries (US, Canada, most EU, UK, Australia, New Zealand). Not required for: Pets from fully approved countries with appropriate documentation. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait from test date before entry
Quarantine
Mandatory quarantine. 1-3 days (inspection hold) days. Facility: Ben Gurion Airport Quarantine Station. All dogs and cats undergo a mandatory veterinary inspection on arrival. This is an inspection hold of 1-3 days, not extended quarantine, for pets with correct documents. Pets with non-compliant docs may be held longer or refused entry.
Import permit
Required. Import must be pre-approved. Do not travel without confirmed permit. Form available via veterinary.moag.gov.il.
Health certificate
Required. Official Veterinary Health Certificate. Issued by: Official government veterinarian in origin country. Valid for 10 days from issue. Certificate must be issued and endorsed no more than 10 days before arrival. Lists microchip, vaccinations, titre test result, parasite treatment.
Required for all live animal exports from Hong Kong
Health certificate
Must meet destination country requirements
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
2
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
3
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
4
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
5
Import permit application fee (Israel)
6
Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)
7
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.
⚠ Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.
⚠ Breed restrictions apply at destination. Check if your dog is affected before booking.
⚠ Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Restricted breeds
Israel breed rules
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Rottweiler
Bull Terrier
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Cargo Only
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Cargo Only
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cargo Only
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
Cabin and Cargo
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Cabin and Cargo
What Israel requires
Getting a pet into Israel means meeting a demanding set of rules with no shortcuts. Start from the earliest deadline and work forward from there.
Avoiding the common mistakes
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
Allow at least 26 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
Yes, quarantine is mandatory in Israel. Your pet will stay for 1-3 days (inspection hold) days at Ben Gurion Airport Quarantine Station on arrival. Confirm the facility, duration, and current charges with the destination authority before travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Israel. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, an import permit is required from the Israel veterinary authority. Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Hong Kong. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Israel’s authority for the exact format required.
Yes, Israel bans or restricts certain breeds including American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, and others. If your dog is one of these types or a mix, contact the destination authority before making any travel arrangements.