US
United States
✈️
HK
Hong Kong
Pet Transport USA to Hong Kong: 2026 Field Guide
6-10 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
Medium
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Regulations verified
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →
Overview
Hong Kong classifies the USA as a Group II territory, which means US pets enter without quarantine provided the documentation is correct. The main steps are the AFCD Special Permit, a USDA-endorsed health certificate, and a cargo booking on a carrier such as Cathay Pacific. Allow 6-10 weeks.
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
4-6 weeks ahead. Cathay Pacific is the popular choice.
Book cargo space on US to Hong Kong route
Responsible: Owner or agent
4
Within 10 days of travel. Allow 2-10 business days for endorsement.
USDA-accredited vet health certificate and USDA APHIS endorsement
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet, then USDA APHIS
5
On travel date.
Travel to Hong Kong as cargo
Responsible: Airline cargo
6
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
Checklist
Hong Kong: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required. ISO standard microchip readable at Hong Kong customs. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Current rabies vaccination. The USA is a Group II territory for AFCD purposes. |
| Import permit | Special Permit required from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) before arrival. Apply online. Allow 1-2 weeks. |
| Health certificate | USDA-endorsed veterinary health certificate within the AFCD-specified window before travel. |
Leaving United States
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Government endorsement | USDA APHIS endorsement required. Allow 2-10 business days. |
| Health certificate | USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate from a USDA-accredited veterinarian. Examination within 10 days of travel. VEHCS electronic endorsement is fastest. |
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 | USDA APHIS endorsement fee: $38 per certificate |
| 5 | Pet transport agent fee: $500 to $2,000 |
| 6 | 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.
Group II status and the AFCD permit
Hong Kong’s AFCD classifies origin places into groups by rabies risk. The USA is Group II, which still allows entry without quarantine but requires the Special Permit and a health certificate.
The permit is applied for online before travel and typically takes 1-2 weeks. The permit conditions for Group II include a microchip, a current rabies vaccination, and the USDA-endorsed health certificate. There is no quarantine and no titre test for Group II pets entering Hong Kong.
Summer heat embargoes
Hong Kong is hot and humid from May through September. Airlines restrict live animal cargo during these months to protect welfare, and brachycephalic breeds face the strictest conditions. If your move is in summer, discuss timing and routing with your airline early.
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.
Electronic submission through VEHCS typically processes in 2-5 business days; mail submission takes 5-10. Since the health certificate examination must be within 10 days of travel, time the endorsement carefully. Most owners schedule the vet examination 7-8 days before travel and submit immediately via VEHCS.
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.
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