HK
Hong Kong
✈️
TW
Taiwan
Pet Transport from Hong Kong to Taiwan
26-32 weeks
Typical preparation
7 days
Quarantine on arrival
Very High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Hong Kong to Taiwan
typically takes around 26-32 weeks.
Expect 7 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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Overview
Bringing your dog or cat from Hong Kong to Taiwan takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Expect a long lead time of roughly 26-32 weeks; the waiting periods here cannot be rushed. Factor in 7 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. Map your dates against the steps below and you will stay on track.
Step by step
The Hong Kong to Taiwan 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 Taiwan
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 (varies days)
Responsible: Taiwan quarantine authority
Checklist
Taiwan: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785) |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Current rabies vaccination mandatory. |
| Rabies titre test | Required for: Pets from non-approved countries (Group 3 and 4 countries per BAPHIQ classification). Not required for: Pets from approved Group 1 or 2 countries (includes US, UK, Australia, most EU, Japan, etc.). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day wait from test date before entry |
| Quarantine | Mandatory quarantine. Facility: BAPHIQ-designated Animal Quarantine Station, Taoyuan Airport. Quarantine duration depends on country of origin classification. Group 1 countries (US, UK, most EU, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, etc.) = 7-day quarantine. Check current BAPHIQ country list. |
| Import permit | Required. Permit required before booking flights. Must specify flight details. |
| Health certificate | Required. Official Veterinary Health Certificate. Issued by: Official government vet in origin country. Must include microchip, vaccinations, titre test (if applicable), and declare freedom from infectious disease. |
Leaving Hong Kong
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | 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 (Taiwan) |
| 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.
⚠ Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
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
Air China
Small pets allowed in cabin on domestic China routes. International: cargo only via Air China Cargo. Strict crate size and documentation requirements. China-specific import/export permits required. Advance booking of cargo space essential.
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)
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
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.
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
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
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
Korean Air
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Larger pets in hold as checked baggage or Korean Air Cargo. Seasonal temperature restrictions apply
Taiwan entry requirements at a glance
Getting a pet into Taiwan means meeting a demanding set of rules with no shortcuts. Start from the earliest deadline and work forward from there.
Getting the details right
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
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 Taiwan. Your pet will stay at BAPHIQ-designated Animal Quarantine Station, Taoyuan Airport 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 Taiwan. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, an import permit is required from the Taiwan 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 Taiwan’s authority for the exact format required.
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