Pet Transport from Luxembourg to China

Planning a pet relocation from Luxembourg to China is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. This is one of the more demanding routes, so allow around 26-32 weeks and treat the timeline …

Get your free quote →

26-32

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

30 days

Quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

26-32 weeks

Quarantine

30 days

Route complexity

Very High

Airlines

9 carriers on this route

Start my quote

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Luxembourg to China typically takes around 26-32 weeks. Expect 30 days of quarantine on arrival. A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.

Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The Luxembourg to China import process

First step - must be done before any vaccinations.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

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

Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks

Apply for import permit from China

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

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)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

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

Immediately on arrival (mandatory)

Quarantine on arrival (30 days for dogs, 7 days for cats from approved countriesountries) - check current rules days)

Responsible: China quarantine authority

Requirements

China entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

Required (ISO 15 digit). Must be implanted before vaccinations

Rabies vaccination

Required. Must be administered at least 30 days before travel but within 12 months.

Rabies titre test

Required for: All dogs and cats from most countries. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day wait from test date before entry

Quarantine

Mandatory quarantine. 30 days for dogs, 7 days for cats from approved countriesountries) - check current rules days. Facility: GACC-approved quarantine facility. Quarantine is mandatory. Facility and duration depends on origin country and species. Cats from some listed countries may be 7 days. Dogs typically 30 days.

Import permit

Required. Import permit must be obtained before travel. Very limited entry airports: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou main points. Must declare on arrival customs form.

Health certificate

Required. Official Veterinary Health Certificate. Issued by: Official government veterinarian. Valid for 14 days from issue. Must include microchip, vaccination records, titre test results, rabies-free status of origin region, and parasite treatment.

Leaving Luxembourg

Export requirements

Export permit

Not required

Health certificate

Required

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)

IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)

Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate

Rabies titre test laboratory fee

Import permit application fee (China)

Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

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.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
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.	Cabin and Cargo
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
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
Singapore Airlines	Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons	Cargo Only
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
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
Korean Air	Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Larger pets in hold as checked baggage or Korean Air Cargo. Seasonal temperature restrictions apply	Cabin and Cargo

The rules for bringing a pet into China

China takes biosecurity seriously, and the requirements reflect that. The paperwork is exacting, so accuracy matters as much as timing.

How to keep this move on track

Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.

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.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

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 China. Your pet will stay for 30 days for dogs, 7 days for cats from approved countriesountries) - check current rules days at GACC-approved quarantine facility 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 China. Start this process as early as possible.

Yes, an import permit is required from the China 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 Luxembourg. The certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check China’s authority for the exact format required.

Airline guides

Air China
Emirates
Lufthansa
British Airways
Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Air France
KLM
Korean Air

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet
to China.

Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. We map the complete preparation timeline and costs. No commitment required.

Get my free quote