Pet Transport from Hong Kong to the USA: AFCD Export and CDC Dog Import Form
A move from Hong Kong to United States with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Around 6-10 weeks is typical, with a straightforward sequence to work through. No …
Get your free quote →The Hong Kong to United States import process
Responsible: Vet in Hong Kong
Responsible: Vet in Hong Kong
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
Responsible: Owner
Responsible: Vet and AFCD
Responsible: Airline, CBP, USDA
United States entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Export requirements
What this route typically costs
Critical points
A dog must be at least six months old on the day it enters the United States, whatever country it comes from. There is no exception for a well-documented puppy, so a litter move has to wait. The microchip rule sits alongside it: the chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, or the CDC treats that vaccination as invalid. Source: CDC, cdc.gov/importation/dogs, read 2026-09-02.
A CDC Dog Import Form is required for ALL dogs entering the USA, regardless of origin. This is a US federal requirement from the CDC. Cats are not subject to this requirement.
The AFCD export licence takes 2-3 weeks to process. Apply well in advance of travel, not in the week before departure.
Dogs must have a valid rabies vaccination and an ISO microchip. The CDC Dog Import Form must be completed and ready for inspection by CBP on arrival.
Comparing HK-to-USA with HK-to-UK: the UK requires a tapeworm treatment for dogs (1-5 days before UK arrival) and APHA endorsement of the health certificate. The USA requires the CDC Dog Import Form and does not require a titre test. Both routes are medium complexity.
Approved carriers on this route
| Airline | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cathay Pacific Cargo | Direct cargo services from Hong Kong (HKG) to Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and New York (JFK). Cathay Pacific Cargo handles live animals. The most direct carrier option for HK-to-USA. | Cargo Only |
| United Airlines Cargo | United Cargo operates services from HKG to US gateway cities. Live animal service available on selected routes. Confirm current live animal acceptance before booking. | Cargo Only |
| American Airlines Cargo | American Airlines Cargo accepts live animals on international routes. Services from HKG to DFW and other US cities. Advance documentation review required. | Cargo Only |
| Korean Air Cargo | Via Seoul Incheon (ICN) to US cities. An alternative connecting option if direct Cathay services are unavailable. | Cargo Only |
Meeting United States's entry requirements
Advice worth following
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.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
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.
Common questions about this route
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Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
- USDA APHIS · United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- CDC · United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dog import rules