Pet import requirements for China

China at a glance

The detail

China,of ficially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. Because China is in Asia, transit countries on the way can impose extra live-animal rules even when the destination file looks straightforward. The pet must be older than 3 months.

Import requirements

The pet must be older than 3 months.

Only one pet per traveler is allowed.

Identification and microchip

ISO 11784/11785 compliant pet microchip with a 15 digit.

If the chip does not comply with the standard just mentioned, the pet owner should prepare a reader that can read the implanted chip.

Rabies and vaccinations

There is no waiting period needed.

A vaccination card/certificate is required for each pet, clearly displaying your pet's current rabies vaccination, in cluding the vaccine's manufacturer, batch number and expiration.

The rabies vaccination should be in activated virus vaccine or improved vaccine or recombinant vaccine not live-virus vaccine.

Rabies vaccination should be valid when the pets arrive.

Vaccination Records Required. Must have clear record of rabies for dogs and cat.

Tests and treatments

If pets coming from non designated country, pets requires for 2 rabies vaccinations and the rabies antibody titer test report to avoid 30 days quarantine.

The titer test must be administered at the same time as the second rabies vaccination or later. Results must be greater than 0.5 iu/ml. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories (see attached list). Once results are fulfilled, the pet can fly into China.

No requirements prior to entering China.

Health certificate and permits

The Veterinary Certificate for China must be completed within 14 days of entry and stamped (endorsed) by the government of the exporting country responsible for the import and export of animals.

No need for import permit for pets into Shanghai, Guangzhou & Chengdu.

For Beijing, the pets arrive as manifest cargo may need import permits after arrival depending on owner’s Chinese visa type.

The import permit will be needed if the pet owner holds long term residence permit or diplomatic visa.

There is no need for import permit if per owner is holding short term visa.

China Import Declaration Form

Quarantine

• Pets without chips from designated countries and regions 2. Pets from non-designated countries or regions, or pets that are unable to provide rabies antibody test reports issued by a laboratory trusted by China Customs, or pets that are not implemented with chips.3. Pets found with symptoms of zoonotic diseases and parasitic diseases during on-site clinical examinationsEffective on May 1, 2019, cats and dogs that pass in spection and have conformed to all requirements, in cluding microchip, entering China from the following Countries will not be subject to quarantine:New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Guam, Jamaica, Iceland, The United Kingdom, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Macao. All other countries are classified as non-designated countries. Cats and Dogs entering China from any non- designated country may avoid quarantine by being microchipped, having 2 documented rabies vaccinations (no sooner than 30 days between each) and getting a rabies titer test prior to entry. Pets Entering from non-designated countries without a microchip, 2 rabies vaccinations, health certificate, and results from rabis titer test will be subject to 30 days quarantine and must enter China from the following locations:Beijing Airport, Beijing West Railway Station, Shanghai Airports (Hongqiao, Pudong), Shanghai Train Station, Shanghai International Passenger Transport Center, Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, or Alashankou (land post).Guide and rescue dogs entering China with microchips and certificates from professional training organizations ae also exempt from quarantine and can enter China at any in ternational port of enter. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to China. If your pet is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Restrictions and banned breeds

China does not ban the import of any dog breeds, but there are breed restrictions for dog registration in Shanghai, Chengdu, and Beijing. Owners of large breeds should be aware of restrictions.

Pet Breeds Banned in Shanghai: Any Mastiff descent or mixed mastiff breed, Beauceron Wolfdog, Kunming Wolfdog, German Sheperd Dog, English Bulldog, Old English Bulldog, American Bulldog, Japanese Tosa, Bull Terrier, or Doberman.

Pet Breeds Banned in Chengdu: Mastiff, Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire (Bull) Terrier, Akita, Dogo Argentino, German Shepard, Chinese Chongqing, Borzoi, Irish Newfoundland, Can Corso, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, Great Dane, Dog de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Irish Wolfhound, Caucasian, Sheperd, Kunming Wolfdog, Chinese Dog.

Pet Breeds Banned in Beijing: Mastiff, German Pinscher, St. Bernard, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain Dog, Rottweiler, Weimaraner, Setters, Afghan Hound, Foxhound, Bloodhound, Irish Wolfhound, Saluki, Greyhound, Borzoi, Basenji, Australian Sheperd, Old English Sheepdog, British Bulldog, Chow Chow, Dalmatian, Keeshond, Japanese Akita, Newfoundland Sled Dog, Bedlington Terrier, Bull Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier.

Customs, agents, and airports

Airports:

• Beijing Capital Airport, Beijing (IATA: PEK, ICAO: ZBAA)
• Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai (IATA: SHA, ICAO: ZSSS)
• Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai (IATA: PVG, ICAO: ZSPD)
• Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (IATA: CAN, ICAO: ZGGG)

Pets that require quarantine kennels must arrive at Beijing or Shanghai, as these cities have quarantine kennels. Other cities do not have quarantine kennels and are not approved ports of entry for pets that require quarantine.

Other ports of entry for pets in clude: Beijing West Railway Station, Shanghai Train Station, Shanghai International Passenger Transport Center, Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, and Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, Alataw Pass.

Airports listed on this destination file: SHA, BJS, DLC, CAN, CTU, TAO, SZX, CKG, TSN, PEK, NKG, PVG, YNT, SHE, KMG, TNA, LZH, HGH, XMN.

General Administration of Customs

Customer must provide”"Registration for Pet Dogs and Cats Carried by Passengers"（Designated Country or Region).

Can be in a paper format, or on line form through:

WeChat Mini Program

Online form must be submitted within 24 hours of arrival.

Normally it will take at least 5-6 working hours to complete the customs clearance; it’s better to reserve the flight arrival before 10:00am to avoid overtime work for the customs clearance.

Shanghai: Normally it will take at least 5-6 working hours to complete the customs clearance; it’s better to reserve the flight arrival before 6:00am so we are able to clear the customs clearance the same day in Shanghai.

Export notes

Cats and Dogs departing China must be microchipped then rabies vaccinated at of ficial animal vaccination hospital in the PRC and must have the of ficial “Animal Health and Immunity Certificate”. The vaccination must be administered more than 30 days but not more than one year prior to in ternational travel.

If you have more than one pet to export, you will need an agent. No more than 7 to 10 days prior to travel, pets must be examined and obtain Export Health Certificate from a designated government quarantine hospital.

For pets departing from Beijing, the rabies vaccination must be given by the governmental appointed vet. The of ficial vaccination certificate issued by the approved veterinarian in Beijing must be present for the export health examination.

For pets departing from Shanghai, a valid Shanghai dog license card is also required for pet dogs. Cats and dogs must get rabies vaccination done at Government approved clinic and get valid immunization cards.

Official contacts

General Administration of Customs

No.6. Jianguomennei Avenue,

Dongcheng District, Beijing

100730

ShanghaiPhone: +8621 12360

BeijingPhone: +8610 12360

WebsiteEnglish

深圳海关12360 (WeChat account)Current as of October 2025

Disclaimer

Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2025-11-29.

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