Pet Transport from the United States to China: GACC Rules, Titre Test, and Quarantine

The journey from United States to China for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. Plan for approximately 40-48 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to …

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40-48

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

30 days

Quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

40-48 weeks

Quarantine

30 days

Route complexity

Very High

Airlines

5 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from United States to China typically takes around 40-48 weeks. Expect 30 days of quarantine on arrival.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The United States to China import process

At least 9-10 months before planned China arrival date

Implant ISO microchip. Administer first rabies vaccination on the same vet visit.

Responsible: owner/vet

3-4 weeks after first vaccination, per vaccine schedule

Administer second rabies vaccination to complete the two-lifetime-dose history

Responsible: vet

Month 2-3

FAVN titre test blood draw at a GACC-approved laboratory. Blood draw at least 30 days after the second vaccination.

Responsible: vet/owner

Allow 2-4 weeks for result. 6-month wait starts from blood draw date.

Receive passing titre test result. 6-month waiting period begins from the blood draw date, not the result date.

Responsible: owner

At least 4 months before planned travel; begin during the 6-month wait period

Apply for GACC import permit. Submit pet microchip number, owner passport copy, vaccination records, titre result, proposed entry port, and travel date window.

Responsible: owner/agent

Within 14 days of China arrival date

USDA-accredited vet issues health certificate in GACC format; USDA APHIS endorses the certificate

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet/USDA APHIS

4-6 weeks before travel

Book cargo space with chosen airline and confirm documentation requirements and entry port

Responsible: owner/agent

On arrival

Arrive at GACC-approved entry port. Pet placed immediately into GACC quarantine facility.

Responsible: GACC/owner

Requirements

China entry requirements

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

Microchip

ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip mandatory. Must be implanted before any rabies vaccination is administered. GACC verifies chip on arrival at approved entry port.

Rabies vaccination

Two lifetime rabies vaccinations required (not a single booster). Current vaccination must be valid within 12 months of arrival in China. Source: GACC, english.customs.gov.cn.

Rabies titre test

FAVN titre test mandatory. Blood draw at least 30 days after the second rabies vaccination. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above at a GACC-approved laboratory. After a passing result, 6-month waiting period applies before the pet may enter China.

Quarantine

30 days in a GACC-designated quarantine facility for dogs. 7 days for cats. Owner pays all quarantine costs. Pet cannot leave until GACC issues clearance.

Import permit

GACC import permit required. Apply at least 4 months before travel. One pet per traveller only. Permit specifies entry port, date window, and owner identity.

Health certificate

USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate in GACC-required format. Issued within 14 days of China arrival. Owner name on certificate must match passport exactly.

Leaving United States

Export requirements

Export permit

No US export permit required for personal pet exports. USDA APHIS endorsement of the health certificate is the relevant US regulatory step.

Health certificate

USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate required. Issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS, in the format required by GACC for China import. Must be issued within 14 days of arrival in China.

Costs

What this route typically costs

Microchip implant in US: USD 25-75

Rabies vaccinations (x2): USD 30-80 per dose at a USDA-accredited vet

FAVN titre test at GACC-approved laboratory: USD 150-300 including blood draw and lab fee

USDA APHIS health certificate endorsement: USD 100-200 per endorsement

GACC import permit application and agent coordination: USD 300-600

Air cargo fees (Los Angeles, New York, or San Francisco to Beijing or Shanghai): USD 1,000-3,000 depending on pet size, crate, and airline

GACC quarantine facility costs in China (30 days for dogs): CNY 3,000-8,000

Critical points

The 6-month wait after the titre test blood draw is GACC policy and cannot be shortened. The wait begins from the date of the blood draw, not the date the result is confirmed. Plan backwards from your intended China arrival date.

The GACC import permit is port-specific and date-window-specific. If your travel plans change after the permit is issued, you will likely need to apply for a new permit. Factor this into your planning.

Only one pet per traveller is allowed into China. Two pets require two travellers, each with their own complete documentation set.

The microchip must be implanted before the first vaccination. Any vaccination administered before microchip implant does not count in China's system. The vaccination record must be restarted.

Air China, American Airlines, and Delta all restrict or ban brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Persian cats) from cargo. Confirm breed eligibility with your chosen carrier before beginning the 9-month preparation.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Air China	Main carrier for US-China pet cargo. Direct services from Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), and San Francisco (SFO) to Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG). Pets as manifested cargo. Advance booking essential.	Cargo Only
American Airlines	Cargo only on US-China routes via American Airlines Cargo. Operates from multiple US hubs. No cabin pets on international routes.	Cargo Only
Delta	Cargo only on US-China routes via Delta Cargo. Services from Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX), and Seattle (SEA) to Chinese gateways.	Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific	Cargo only via Hong Kong (HKG). AFCD transit rules apply at HKG. Connects to multiple mainland China destinations. Seasonal breed restrictions apply.	Cargo Only
United Airlines	Pet cargo availability on international routes has been subject to periodic suspensions. Verify current status directly with United Cargo before relying on this option.	Cargo Only

China import rules, explained

China runs a strict import regime, so every document is checked closely on arrival. Build your plan around the fixed waiting periods, because they set the pace for everything else.

Practical tips for this move

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.

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.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

Not unless your dog has also had a FAVN titre test with a passing result. The 6-month wait begins from the date of the titre test blood draw, not from the vaccination date. If your dog has two vaccinations but no titre test, you are still at the beginning of the titre test stage. Get the blood drawn as soon as your vet confirms it is at least 30 days since the second vaccination, and the 6-month clock will start from that point.

Yes. There are GACC-approved FAVN titre test laboratories in the United States. The Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is one of the well-known options. Your relocation agent or vet can confirm the current approved laboratory list and arrange blood submission. The laboratory issues the result directly to you, and you include it with your GACC import permit application.

GACC quarantine facilities at major entry ports are professionally run and inspected by GACC. Dogs are housed individually, fed on a set schedule, and given regular veterinary checks. Standards vary between facilities and cities. Beijing and Shanghai facilities near PEK and PVG are generally considered the most established. You can usually arrange supervised visits during the 30-day period. The facility will charge daily for accommodation and feeding.

No. Thirty days is the GACC-mandated period for dogs from all countries, regardless of how thorough the pre-travel documentation is. It is not a reflection of a problem with your pet; it is GACC’s standard policy. Cats from most countries face 7 days. There is no expedited or home quarantine option.

Both you and a second traveller (partner, family member, or travelling companion) need to travel with separate complete documentation sets: separate GACC import permits in each person’s name, separate health certificates, and separate titre test records for each dog. The GACC permit links the animal to the named individual. You cannot list two animals on one permit. Both people must be present at the China entry port when the pets arrive.

Airline guides

Air China
American Airlines
Delta
Cathay Pacific
United Airlines

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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