Pet Transport from Hong Kong to the USA: AFCD Export and CDC Dog Import Form
Moving a dog or cat from Hong Kong to the USA is a manageable process, though it requires attention to the specific US requirements. For dogs, a CDC Dog Import Form is required for all dogs entering …
Get your free quoteThe 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 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 |
CDC and USDA import requirements for dogs and cats from Hong Kong
The CDC manages dog import requirements for the USA. From 2024, a CDC Dog Import Form is required for all dogs entering the USA regardless of origin country. Dogs must have a valid rabies vaccination (administered by a licensed vet) and an ISO 15-digit microchip. The CDC Dog Import Form collects information about the dog’s vaccination status, microchip, and the owner’s travel details. It must be completed and ready for inspection by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on arrival.
Cats entering the USA from Hong Kong face no CDC vaccination requirements, though a health certificate from an AFCD-endorsed vet is required for airline acceptance. USDA APHIS may inspect animals on arrival at US ports. Ensure the health certificate is in a format acceptable to both the airline and USDA. The AFCD endorsement of the health certificate in Hong Kong carries equivalent authority to a USDA-accredited veterinarian’s certification for the foreign certificate.
AFCD export licence: the Hong Kong side of the process
AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) is the authority in Hong Kong for live animal exports. An AFCD live animal export licence is required before any pet can leave Hong Kong. Apply online via the AFCD licensing portal. Allow 2-3 weeks for processing. The licence authorises the specific animal for export and is tied to the specific travel date and airline.
Once the AFCD export licence is in place, the health certificate is issued by a vet and endorsed by AFCD, within 10 days of the US arrival date. The AFCD endorsement is the Hong Kong equivalent of the official government veterinary endorsement required by US authorities. Cathay Pacific Cargo from HKG is the most common carrier for live animal exports from Hong Kong to the USA, with direct services to LAX, SFO, and JFK.
HK-to-USA versus HK-to-UK: a route requirements comparison
Both the USA and the UK accept pets from Hong Kong without requiring a titre test (Hong Kong is a listed country for UK entry). The differences lie in specific entry requirements. USA (CDC): CDC Dog Import Form required for all dogs; current rabies vaccination; ISO microchip; AFCD-endorsed health certificate; no titre test; no quarantine; total preparation 6-10 weeks. UK (APHA): Health certificate (AHC format); APHA endorsement; tapeworm treatment for dogs 1-5 days before UK arrival; no titre test for HK pets (listed country); no quarantine; total preparation 4-8 weeks.
The UK process is slightly faster than the USA process because the AFCD export licence processing time is the main constraint for USA-bound moves, while UK-bound moves primarily require the tapeworm treatment timing and the APHA-endorsed health certificate. Both are well-established routes from Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific Cargo as the primary carrier.
Common questions about this route
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