Pet import requirements for Hong Kong (SAR)

Hong Kong (SAR) at a glance

The detail

Hong Kong is on China's southern coast, east of Macau. Typical air gateways on file in clude HKG. Destination Agent is Highly Recommended.

Import requirements

Import from Group 1 (Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom, or the Bailiwick of Jersey), must be at least 60 days old. Pets that are more than 4 months pregnant will not be permitted to for import.

Import from Group 2 (Rabies Controlled Countries – Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Brunei, Canada, Cayman Island, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Guam, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Norway, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Taiwan, United States (continental), Vanuatu and Virgin Islands.), must be older than 5 months. Pets that are more than 4 months pregnant will not be permitted to for import.

Import from Group 3 (High-Rabies Countries - any not listed in group 1 or 2 ) - must be at least 60 days old. Pets that are more than 4 months pregnant will not be permitted to for import.

See import requirements above and Application procedure below

Application Procedure – Group 1

Application Procedure – Group 2

Application Procedure – Group 3

Health record with valid microchip, rabies and annual vaccines (Original)

Origin’s Government Health Certificate (Original)

Manifested cargo arrivals only are acceptable – no accompanied baggage arrivals

A trading license must be obtained from Hong Kong Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department for commercial trading.

Under the Legislation of Hong Kong Cap.421 sub. leg. A- Rabies Regulation, all dogs 5 months old or above must obtain a Hong Kong Dog License ON ARRIVAL at the expense of the permittee or agent under the following conditions-

(a) Implantation of microchip in the format of AVID*XXX*XXX*XXX (i.e. AVID encrypted transponder with an alphanumeric code in the format of AVID*XXX*XXX*XXX). If the microchip is different from that used for the identification of dogs in Hong Kong, the animal will be RE-IMPLANTED upon arrival in Hong Kong; AND

(b) Vaccination against rabies (regardless of current rabies vaccination status)

Identification and microchip

The animal must be implanted with a microchip that is compliant with the International Standards Organization (ISO) or AVID standards and able to be read by an AVID, or other ISO compatible reader. If the microchip cannot be found or read upon the animal’s arrival in Hong Kong, the permittee or his agent must provide a reader so that the microchip number can be verified otherwise the animal may be RETURNED to the country/place of origin at the expense of the permittee or agent.

Note: ALL dogs will receive an AVID microchip implantation on entry into Hong Kong along with a rabies vaccination. Unless it has been in Hong Kong previously and has a Hong Kong Dog License and working AVID 9- digits microchip.

Rabies and vaccinations

Group 1 (Rabies Free Countries) - Rabies vaccination is optional.

Group 2 – (Rabies Controlled Countries) The animal must be vaccinated against rabies no less than 30 days and no more 1 year prior to export. In the case of primary vaccination, the animal must be at least 90 days old when it is vaccinated.

Group 3- (High- Rabies Countries) All dogs and cats entering from Group 3 countries (High-Rabies Countries) will be subject to a minimum of 120 days of quarantine upon entry. Advanced reservations with quarantine center are required.

Group 3, Rabies is optional.

Note: ALL dogs (regardless of current Rabies vaccination status) will be vaccinated against Rabies on entry into Hong Kong. Unless it has been in Hong Kong previously and has a valid Hong Kong Dog License and AVID microchip.

Dogs and cats from Group 1 and 2 countries must be vaccinated against the following diseases not less than 14 days and not more than 1 year prior to export to Hong Kong:

Dogs – canine distemper, in fectious canine hepatitis, and canine parvovirus.

Cats – feline panleucopaenia (in fectious enteritis) and feline respiratory disease complex (cat flu).

Dogs and cats from Group 3 countries must be FULLY VACCINATED as follows:

Primary vaccination:

1st vaccination: At least 8 weeks old or above.

2nd vaccination: At least 2 to 4 weeks after the 1st vaccination (i.e. the 15th to the 28th days).

The animal must be more than 10 weeks old at the time of the 2nd vaccination (If the 2nd vaccination is not completed 2 to 4 weeks following the 1st vaccination, the primary vaccination (1) must be repeated.)

The booster vaccination must be completed within 18 months or as recommended by veterinary surgeon (whichever the shorter) following the primary vaccination. The duration of each booster vaccination must not be more than 18 months or as recommended by veterinary surgeon (whichever the shorter), otherwise the primary vaccination (1) must be repeated before importation of the animal.

The most recent vaccination must be done not less than 14 days and not more than 1 year before import into Hong Kong.

Dogs and Cats from Group 1 and 3 countries are not required to be vaccinated against Rabies however it is recommended for pets arriving from Group 3 countries; Dogs and cats from Group 2 countries must be vaccinated against rabies more than 30 days and less than 1 year prior to import.

Tests and treatments

A rabies titer test is not required from any country.

If you are importing a Disability Assistance Dog, a rabies antibody test is required and must be done more than 30 days after primary vaccination and at least 6 months before entering Hong Kong. The result must be 0.5 IU/ml or greater and is valid for 12 months.

Dogs and Cats: Internal and external parasite treatment is not required for entry into Hong Kong

Birds

Health certificate and permits

Permit Terms and Sample Health Certificates:

Group 1 – Health Certificate / Permit Terms

Group 2 – Health Certificate / Permit Terms

Group 3 – Health Certificate / Permit Terms

Import Permits are required for every import. Application forms are below:

Import Permit for Animals and Birds

Declaration and Authorisation form (UN110)

Import permit for Disability Assistance Dogs

Quarantine

Animals imported from Group 3 countries are required to Quarantine at a Government Quarantine Facility for at least 120 days.

Current wait for quarantine space is over 1 year.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Dogs and cats more than 4 weeks pregnant must not be imported.

Bengal Cats must not be imported unless document certifying that the cat is of 5th or above generations of domestic ancestry is provided.

Bengal Cats must not be imported / transshipped unless documentation certifying that the cat is of 5th or above 5th generation. Proof is required for the application process.

Banned Dog Breeds

• Pit Bull Terrier (also known as American Staffordshire Terrier)

• Japanese Tosa

• Dogo Argentino

• Fila Braziliero

(Includes crosses of the above breeds)

• Staffordshire Bull Terriers (English) must be accompanied by a statutory declaration attesting to the breed of the dog.

Birds are not permitted to enter Hong Kong from Cambodia, Indonesia, Republic of Kore, France, Mali, USA, Guinea, Cote D’Ivoire, India, Vietnam, South Africa, Japan, Philippines, Mozambique.

The animals must be transported by the fastest and most direct route from the exporting country/place to Hong Kong.

Animals must be transported to Hong Kong as MANIFESTED CARGO. Transport as excess baggage or hand-carried baggage is not permitted. Prior approval must be sought if route in volves in a stopover in Group 2 or 3 country.

Disability Assistance Dog (DAD)

A dog that has been trained to help people with physical disabilities. Emotional support dogs are currently not considered as DADs.

DADs are exempted from quarantine at the Animal Management Centre of this Department and the requirement of 6-month residency in the exporting country/place on the basis of one blood test for Rabies antibody, which should be performed at least 6 months prior to entry to Hong Kong. Such policy is applicable to DADs imported from all countries/places.

Customs, agents, and airports

Customs Brokers not required

Destination Agent is Highly Recommended.

Hong Kong International Airport

By Land (from Macao and Mainland China Only)

By Sea (From Macao and Mainland China Only)

Airports listed on this destination file: HKG.

There is no duty / tax for import of personal pets.

Dogs and cats must enter Hong Kong only as manifest cargo. Pets can’t enter as excess luggage or in cabin. If you are disabled, and if your dog is accompanying you, you may ask for an approval to take your dog with you in cabin. The importer/owner must notify the authorities at least 24 hours before the pet’s arrival.

Proper Paperwork Needed

Import PermitVet Health Certificate (Example: USDA APHIS Form 7001)

It must be issued within seven days of the flight.

Hong Kong Health Certificate

This is the AFCD health certificate to be filled out by your USDA/Government accredited veterinarian along with the Health Certificate. It must be issued within seven days of the flight.

USDA/Government Endorsements

The documents must be sent to your local government for their stamp of approval. Please contact your PetRelocation Specialist to learn more about the best way to manage this.

Microchip Implantation Record

Rabies Certificate

Vaccination Records

Import Permit

Vet Health Certificate (USDA APHIS Form 7001)

Hong Kong Health Certificate

Export notes

There are no specific export permits or licenses required for dogs and cats being exported from Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Agriculture, fisheries and Conservation Department assist with endorsement of certificates and other documents as required by the importing country.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

Cites permit from exporting country and special permit (import permit from HK)

Oct-27-2015 - AFCD

The above link will lead you to the AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) website, which contains valuable in formation regarding permits, time needed, payment info, new policies, procedures and other help for those shipping animals into Hong Kong.

Provided by Jeni Redmond, Petsfly.com

Nov-8-2011 - Country Profile Presentation from Hong Kong Conference

Presented by Stacy Tucker, Ferndale Kennels & Cattery

Feb-22-08 Q. A client told me his colleague shipped his dogs to Hong Kong and then transported them by train with him to Shanghai in order to avoid the quarantine in Shanghai. Is that possible? Are there other ways to get pets into Shanghai?

Reply 1. We shipped a cat to Shanghai and to avoid quarantine we went through Guangzhou (airport code CAN). A company was hired to facilitate the final leg to Shanghai and the cat didn't have to go into quarantine.

Comments by Tony Hilton of Goldwood Kennels/Pet Air America

Reply 2. There are several ways to get pets into Shanghai... either thru Hong Kong or direct into Guangzhou. There are other ways too, depending on whether the pets are arriving as excess baggage or manifest cargo and how old the latest entry stamp is in the passport. The train is a 22 hour trip however and the pet is still not allowed to stay with the owner. Inside China, there is absolutely NO in cabin travel allowed with pets and that in cludes trains as well as planes.

Comments by Don Uyeno of WorldCare

Under the Legislation of Hong Kong Cap.421 sub. leg. A- Rabies Regulation, all dogs 5 months old or above must obtain a Hong Kong Dog License ON ARRIVAL at the expense of the permittee or agent under the following conditions:

(a) Implantation of microchip in the format of AVID*XXX*XXX*XXX (i.e. AVID encrypted transponder with an alphanumeric code in the format of AVID*XXX*XXX*XXX). If the microchip is different from that used for the identification of dogs in Hong Kong, the animal will be RE-IMPLANTED upon arrival in Hong Kong; AND

(b) Vaccination against rabies.

*A copy of the owners Hong Kong Identity card must be presented for the dog license application. If the owner does not have a HK ID card then normally the dog license will be completed under the Agent/Importers name and transfer of ownership facilitated once owner has a valid ID card.*

The HK dog License is linked to the Rabies Vaccination. Dog License/ Rabies vaccination must be renewed every three years

Official contacts

Govt of Hong Kong Special Admin Region -Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices

303 Cheung Sha Wan Road

Kowloon, Hong Kong

24-hour in teractive hotline +852 2708-8885

Fax: +852 2311-3731

Email: icsenquiry@afcd.gov.hk

Integrated Customer Service Centre

Address:

Room 1324, 13/F, Trade and Industry Tower, 3 Concorde Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong

Hotlines:

Licensing Section - 2398 5575

Classification Section - 2398 5587

Fax:

2396 3070

Email:

stc@tid.gov.hk

• With effect from 28 April 2008, all telephone conversations on the enquiry hotlines of the Trade and Industry Department shall be recorded to ensure service quality. The recorded conversations will be kept for 90 days. Members of the public may request for conversations relevant to them recorded in 90 days on a CD, at a charge of $50 per CD.

Current as of Jan 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 2026-01-07.

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