Bringing Your Pet to China — Import Rules, Quarantine, and Pet Ownership for Foreigners

Introduction

Relocating internationally is stressful enough without navigating complex pet import regulations. China's rules for bringing a pet to China are among the most structured in Asia — and while the requirements are clear, the timeline is tight. Missing a single step can mean 30 days of mandatory quarantine at your expense, or worse, the pet being refused entry entirely.

Under the General Administration of Customs (GACC) Announcement No. 5 of 2019 (effective May 1, 2019), China allows only dogs and cats as accompanied pets, with a strict limit of one animal per person. The pet must be at least 90 days old, fitted with an ISO-compliant microchip, and fully vaccinated against rabies.

This guide provides a month-by-month countdown to ensure your pet clears Chinese customs with minimal hassle, whether you are moving from a designated country (exempt from serum testing) or a non-designated country requiring full documentation.

The Core Rules at a Glance

The "All or Nothing" Quarantine System

China operates a binary quarantine system — either your pet is released immediately after on-site inspection, or it is sent to a government-designated facility for 30 days. There is no intermediate or shortened quarantine option.

When Quarantine Is Required (Default Rule)

Under GACC regulations, all imported pets are subject to 30 days of quarantine at a GACC-designated isolation facility unless they qualify for exemption. The cost of quarantine accommodation, feeding, and veterinary care is borne entirely by the pet owner and can be substantial.

Critical warning: If your pet requires quarantine, you must enter China through one of the four ports with quarantine facilities: Beijing Capital (PEK), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), or Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN). Arriving at any other port with a pet that needs quarantine will result in the pet being returned or destroyed.

When Quarantine Is Exempted

Your pet can skip quarantine if it meets ALL applicable requirements. There are three exemption scenarios:

Scenario 1 — From a designated country: Valid ISO microchip + valid rabies vaccination certificate + official animal health certificate from the exporting country. No titer test required. Pass on-site inspection → released.

Scenario 2 — From a non-designated country: Valid ISO microchip + two rabies vaccinations (primary + booster) + rabies antibody titer test (≥0.5 IU/mL from a GACC-accredited lab) + official animal health certificate (issued within 14 days of travel). Pass on-site inspection → released.

Scenario 3 — Service animals: Guide dogs, hearing dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs with valid microchip, user certification, and professional training documentation. Pass on-site inspection → released.

Designated vs. Non-Designated Countries

Designated Countries (No Titer Test Required)

GACC classifies certain countries and regions as rabies-free or low-risk. Pets from these areas do not require a rabies antibody titer test:

Requirements from designated countries: ISO microchip, valid rabies vaccination certificate, and official animal health certificate only.

Non-Designated Countries (Full Documentation Required)

All other countries and regions — including the United States, Canada, most of Europe (except those listed above), most of Asia, Latin America, and Africa — fall under the non-designated category.

Requirements from non-designated countries:

1. ISO 11784/11785 microchip (implanted BEFORE first rabies vaccination)
2. Two rabies vaccinations (primary + booster, minimum 30 days apart)
3. Rabies antibody titer test (RNATT) ≥ 0.5 IU/mL from a GACC-accredited laboratory
4. Official animal health certificate issued within 14 days of arrival
5. On-site inspection at port of entry

The Month-by-Month Countdown

For Non-Designated Countries (Start 3–4 Months Before Departure)

Month 3–4 before departure: Implant the ISO microchip

This is the foundation of all subsequent steps. The microchip must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant (15-digit numeric) and implanted before the first rabies vaccination. If the chip is implanted after vaccination, the vaccination cycle must be restarted. An unreadable chip at Chinese customs triggers mandatory 30-day quarantine.

Month 3 before departure: First rabies vaccination

Your pet must be at least 90 days old at the time of the first vaccination. China does not recognize 3-year rabies vaccines — only 1-year validity vaccines are accepted. The vaccination certificate must clearly show the microchip number, vaccine batch number, and date of administration.

Month 2 before departure: Second rabies vaccination + blood draw for titer test

The booster vaccine must be administered at least 30 days after the primary vaccination. On the same day or shortly after, your veterinarian draws blood and sends it to a GACC-accredited laboratory for the rabies antibody titer test.

Critical note on laboratories: The testing lab must be on GACC's official list of accredited laboratories, available on the GACC website. This list differs from the EU or UK accepted laboratory lists. For pets from the United States, Kansas State University is a commonly used GACC-accredited lab. For Europe, Laboklin (Germany) is widely accepted. Labs from Latin American countries are generally not on the GACC list — samples must be shipped to a US or European accredited lab.

The result: The titer test report is valid for 12 months. Unlike some countries (EU requires 90 days, Australia requires 180 days), China has no waiting period after the test result — you can travel as soon as the result is available.

Month 0 (within 14 days of departure): Obtain the animal health certificate

This is the most time-sensitive step. The official animal health certificate must be issued within 14 calendar days of your arrival in China. It must include:

1. Microchip number
2. Dates and batch numbers of both rabies vaccinations
3. Titer test result and laboratory name

The certificate must be issued by the official government veterinary authority of the exporting country (e.g., USDA for the US, APHA for the UK).

24 hours before departure: Submit customs declaration via GACC APP or WeChat mini-program

All pets must be pre-declared to Chinese customs through the official GACC digital platform. This step is mandatory and cannot be done at the airport.

Departure day: Arrive at the airport with complete documentation

Carry originals of all documents: passport, microchip certificate, vaccination records, titer test report, and animal health certificate. Allow extra time for airline check-in — pet travel documentation often requires supervisor approval.

For Designated Countries (Start 1–2 Months Before Departure)

The timeline is significantly shorter for pets from designated countries:

1. Month 1–2 before departure: Implant ISO microchip + administer rabies vaccination
2. Within 14 days of departure: Obtain official animal health certificate
3. 24 hours before departure: Submit GACC customs declaration via APP or WeChat
4. Departure day: Carry pet + documents to airport

No titer test is required, and only one rabies vaccination is needed (though two are recommended for completeness).

Choosing Your Port of Entry

Ports with Quarantine Facilities (Must Use If Unqualified for Exemption)

If your documentation is incomplete or your pet fails on-site inspection, it will be sent to a quarantine facility at one of these ports. Arriving at any other port under these circumstances means the pet will be refused entry.

Pets Eligible for Exemption

Pets meeting all documentary requirements and passing on-site inspection can enter through any port of entry, including Shenzhen, Chengdu, Kunming, Xiamen, and other major international airports.

Airline Pet Policies (2026)

Not all airlines handle pets the same way. The table below summarizes the policies of major carriers serving China routes:

Key considerations:

1. Each flight has limited pet slots — usually 1–2 animals total. Book and notify the airline at least 48 hours to 7 days in advance.
2. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Persian cats, and Himalayan cats are banned from checked baggage on most airlines due to breathing risks.
3. Cabin pet fees range from approximately $200 to $500 USD. Checked baggage fees are similar. Cargo fees range from $500 to $2,000 USD.

After Arrival: Pet Ownership in China

Dog Registration (养犬登记证)

Within 30 days of arrival, you must register your dog with the local public security bureau (police station). Required documents include:

1. Pet (physical inspection may be required)
2. Owner's passport and visa
3. Proof of local residence (lease contract or hotel registration)
4. Rabies vaccination certificate

Important: Major cities like Beijing impose breed and size restrictions. Beijing's central urban areas ban dogs with shoulder height exceeding 35 cm (13.8 inches), and several specific breeds are prohibited entirely. Always check your city's local dog management regulations before choosing where to live.

Annual Rabies Vaccination

Pets in China must receive an annual rabies vaccination at a government-designated veterinary hospital. The vaccination certificate must be kept updated for both legal compliance and future international travel.

Exporting a Pet from China

When your time in China ends, taking your pet with you requires a separate set of procedures. Here is the timeline:

Outbound Document Checklist

1. Animal health certificate (exit) — Issued by a GACC-designated agency within 7 days of departure, valid for 14 days. Cost: approximately ¥300–800 RMB.
2. Rabies vaccination certificate — Must be administered at an official veterinary hospital in China at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before departure.
3. Pet microchip — ISO 11784/11785 required.
4. Passport (original + photocopy).
5. Pet photos (2, white background).

Outbound Timeline

1. 3–6 months before departure: Implant microchip (if not already done)
2. 1–2 months before departure: Complete rabies vaccination at authorized clinic
3. 7 days before departure: Obtain animal health certificate from GACC-designated agency
4. Departure day: Bring all documents to airport; check pet as baggage or cargo per airline policy

Common Violations and Consequences

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I bring my dog or cat to China?

Yes, but only one pet per person, and only dogs and cats are permitted. The pet must be at least 90 days old. All other animal species are prohibited from entry as personal pets. The process requires an ISO microchip, rabies vaccinations, and potentially a rabies antibody titer test depending on your country of origin.

Q2: What is the rabies titer test requirement for bringing a pet to China?

Pets from non-designated countries (including the US, Canada, most of Europe, and Latin America) must have a rabies antibody titer test (RNATT) showing ≥0.5 IU/mL, performed by a GACC-accredited laboratory. Pets from designated countries (Japan, Singapore, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and others) are exempt from this requirement.

Q3: How long is pet quarantine in China?

The default quarantine period is 30 days at a GACC-designated quarantine facility. Pets meeting all requirements — valid ISO microchip, rabies vaccinations, titer test (if required), and valid animal health certificate — can be exempted from quarantine entirely and released after on-site inspection at the airport.

Q4: Which airports in China have pet quarantine facilities?

There are four ports with quarantine facilities: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). If your pet requires quarantine, you must enter through one of these airports. Pets eligible for exemption can enter through any port of entry.

Q5: What documents do I need to bring my pet out of China when leaving?

To export a pet from China, you need an animal health certificate issued by a GACC-designated agency within 7 days of departure (valid for 14 days), rabies vaccination proof from an authorized veterinary hospital in China, a pet microchip (ISO 11784/11785), and your passport. You must begin the process 3–6 months before departure.

Conclusion

Bringing your pet to China is a detailed process — but entirely achievable with proper planning. The key is to start 3–4 months ahead, follow the GACC requirements to the letter, and ensure every document is in order before departure. The binary quarantine system leaves no room for "almost compliant" — either your pet qualifies for exemption and walks through customs with you, or it spends 30 days in a government facility at your expense.

The CNBusinessHub team has extensive experience supporting expatriates with their relocation needs in China, including navigating pet import logistics, local pet registration, and connecting clients with accredited veterinary services. We are the partner you need to make your move to China as smooth as possible — for you and your four-legged family member.

Disclaimer

This article is written by the CNBusinessHub team for informational and educational purposes only.

The content of this article does not constitute any form of investment advice, business advice, or legal opinion. Readers should exercise their own judgment regarding the applicability of the information and should consult qualified professionals before making any business decisions.

The data and information cited in this article are sourced from public channels. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the information. Policies and regulations may change at any time; please verify the latest information before taking action.

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*Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general reference only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Specific policy application is subject to the latest regulations of government departments.

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Last Updated: 2026