US
United States
✈️
HK
Hong Kong
Pet Transport USA to Hong Kong: 2026 Field Guide
6-10 weeks
Typical preparation
See key facts
Quarantine on arrival
Medium
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Start your journey
Get Your Free Quote
Enter your pet's details and route
Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.
Official rules on this page checked
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged. How we source our data →
Step by step
The United States to Hong Kong process
1
Verify now.
Confirm microchip pre-dates rabies vaccination and vaccination is current
Responsible: Vet
2
1-2 weeks before travel. Required before arrival.
Apply for AFCD Special Permit online
Responsible: Owner or agent
3
On arrival. No quarantine for Group II pets with correct documents. Released to owner.
AFCD inspection on arrival. Permit and documents verified.
Responsible: Hong Kong AFCD
Which Hong Kong rules depend on a pet coming from the United States?
Hong Kong sorts countries into 4 groups, and the United States falls in “Group II”.
May be exempt from quarantine if permit conditions met; 180 days' residence; rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before export; no titre test; at least 4 months' quarantine if documents are not proper Official source
These rules apply to that group, on top of the rules every pet follows:
- Quarantine: Group II: pets may be exempt from quarantine if all permit conditions are met; pets without proper documentation may face at least 4 months' quarantine. Applies to dogs and cats from Group II.
Import of Dogs and Cats from Group II countries/places, checked 1 October 2026 - Quarantine: Group II pets without proper documentation may be required to undergo at least 4 months' quarantine at the owner's expense, or be returned to the country of origin. Applies to dogs and cats from Group II without proper documentation.
Import of Dogs and Cats from Group II countries/places, checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Not required for Group II: the full Group II permit terms (DC-02v05) contain no rabies antibody (RNATT) test. Applies to dogs and cats from Group II.
DC-02 Permit terms, Group II, checked 1 October 2026 - Import permit: The permit is valid for 6 months and for one consignment only. Applies to dogs and cats from Group I and Group II.
Import of Dogs and Cats from Group II countries/places, checked 1 October 2026 - Health certificate: Group I, II and IIIB: animal health certificate dated not more than 14 days before export. Applies to dogs and cats from Groups I, II and IIIB.
Import of Dogs and Cats from Group IIIB countries/places, checked 1 October 2026 - Health certificate: Certificates must be signed by a government veterinary officer, or by a registered vet and endorsed by a government veterinary officer. Applies to dogs and cats from Groups I and II.
DC-02 Permit terms, Group II, checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: Group II: rabies vaccination not less than 30 days and not more than 1 year before export. Applies to dogs and cats from Group II.
DC-02 Permit terms, Group II, checked 1 October 2026 - Banned and restricted breeds: Bengal cats and their crosses need documentation of 5th or later generation domestic ancestry. Applies to Bengal cats from Group II (same on main page).
DC-02 Permit terms, Group II, checked 1 October 2026 - How your pet may travel: Pets must arrive as manifested cargo; excess baggage or hand-carried baggage is not permitted. Route must be the fastest and most direct. Applies to dogs and cats from Group I (same in Group II, IIIA, IIIB terms).
DC-01 Permit terms, Group I, checked 1 October 2026 - Arrival points and notice: The permittee must notify the AFCD Import and Export Section duty officer at least 24 hours before arrival.
DC-03 Permit terms, Group IIIB, checked 1 October 2026 - Microchip: An ISO or AVID compliant microchip readable by an AVID or ISO compatible reader is required. Applies to dogs and cats from Group II (same wording in Group I terms).
DC-02 Permit terms, Group II, checked 1 October 2026 - Minimum age: Group II: dogs and cats under 5 months old, or more than 4 weeks pregnant, must not be imported. Applies to dogs and cats from Group II.
DC-02 Permit terms, Group II, checked 1 October 2026 - Other conditions: Group I and II pets need a residence certificate: continuously resident at least 180 days (or since birth) before export, with no rabies within 10 km for 180 days (Group II wording). Applies to dogs and cats from Groups I and II.
DC-02 Permit terms, Group II, checked 1 October 2026
The rules that apply to every pet entering Hong Kong, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Hong Kong guide.
What does the United States require before your pet leaves?
- Export health certificate: All pet export health certificates must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian (page updated 18 June 2026). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Pet Travel Process Overview, checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: The accredited vet can submit the health certificate to APHIS for endorsement on the owner's behalf (through VEHCS); alternatively the vet gives the paperwork to the owner to submit to the USDA Endorsement Office. Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Pet Travel: U.S. to Another Country, checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: VEHCS is APHIS's online system for issuing, submitting and endorsing export health certificates (page updated 9 June 2026). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS), checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: Endorsement windows after the vet signs are limited and vary by destination (e.g. 30 days). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Pet Travel Process Overview, checked 2 October 2026 - Other conditions: APHIS endorsement fee (page updated 18 June 2026): USD 101 per certificate with no lab tests; USD 160, 206 or 275 for 1 to 2, 3 to 6 or 7+ tests, plus small per-extra-pet amounts. Paid before endorsement; none for ADA service dogs. Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Cost To Endorse Your Pet's Health Certificate, checked 2 October 2026
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | AFCD Special Permit fee: approximately HKD 432 per animal |
| 2 | Cargo airline fee: $1,500 to $4,000 from a US hub to Hong Kong depending on crate size |
| 3 | USDA-accredited vet examination and certificate: $200 to $500 |
| 4 | Pet transport agent fee: $500 to $2,000 |
| 5 | IATA-compliant travel crate: $100 to $450 |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The AFCD Special Permit must be obtained before the pet arrives in Hong Kong. Arriving without it can result in the animal being held or refused.
⚠ Hong Kong summers (May to September) are hot and humid. Airlines apply heat embargoes on live animal cargo, especially for brachycephalic breeds.
⚠ The health certificate must be USDA-endorsed, not just vet-signed. Allow 2-10 business days for the endorsement.
⚠ Hong Kong restricts certain breeds including Pit Bull Terriers, Argentine Dogo, Brazilian Fila and Japanese Tosa.
⚠ Microchip must pre-date the rabies vaccination.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Cathay Pacific
Primary carrier. Direct US hubs to Hong Kong cargo pet service. Climate-controlled hold.
United Airlines
Cabin only for small pets on applicable routes. No cargo service. Suitable for small pets only.
Emirates
Via Dubai hub. Emirates SkyCargo. Adds transit time.
FAQ
Common questions
No, provided the documentation is correct. The USA is a Group II territory for AFCD purposes, which allows entry without quarantine. You need the AFCD Special Permit, a microchip, a current rabies vaccination, and the USDA-endorsed health certificate. Your pet is released after the arrival inspection.
Cathay Pacific is the primary carrier with direct cargo pet services from US hubs to Hong Kong. United offers cabin-only carriage for small pets but no cargo, so it is unsuitable for most dogs. Emirates provides a connecting option via Dubai. For most owners a direct Cathay flight is best.
Yes. Hong Kong regulates breeds including Pit Bull Terriers, Argentine Dogo, Brazilian Fila and Japanese Tosa under its Dangerous Dogs Regulation. Check the AFCD rules for your breed before beginning the process.
Ready to book
United States to Hong Kong?
United States to Hong Kong?
Get a free quote →
No commitment. We reply within one business day.
Sources
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
- IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations