“Nala has swum in 4 oceans, hiked 3 mountain ranges, and still wants more.”
Meet all guides →
Bringing Your Pet to China: The Complete Import Guide
OK hear me out — taking Nala to China seemed absolutely wild at first. But after researching the requirements and planning meticulously, I realized it's totally doable if you know what you're doing. Whether you're relocating with your dog, cat, or both, this guide walks you through every single requirement, timeline, and gotcha you need to know.
China allows both dogs and cats as personal pets, but there's a specific process you need to follow — and it's not something you can wing. Let's break it down step by step.
Key Requirements at a Glance
For both dogs and cats entering China, you'll need:
- ISO 11784/11785 microchip (15-digit standard) implanted before any vaccinations
- Current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian
- Official health certificate issued by a vet and endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority
- Entry through an approved port (for dogs: Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Shanghai Hongqiao, or Urumqi Airport)
- Breed restrictions apply to dogs in certain cities
Important note on breed restrictions: China has city-level breed bans. Beijing bans Mastiffs, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and dogs over 30kg. Chengdu bans Pit Bulls, Akitas, and German Shepherds. If you're bringing a dog to China, verify your specific city's restrictions before you book your flight — this could be a dealbreaker.
Your Preparation Timeline
6 Months Before Departure
Schedule a pre-travel vet consultation. Your vet needs to review China's import requirements and confirm your pet is healthy enough to travel. This is also when you'll discuss microchipping if your pet doesn't have one yet. Trust me on this one — starting early gives you breathing room if anything unexpected comes up.
5 Months Before Departure
Get your pet microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 chip. This must happen before any rabies vaccination. The microchip is non-negotiable for international travel to China. Your vet will implant it and provide documentation with the chip number — keep this safe.
4 Months Before Departure
Administer the first rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old. After this initial vaccination, you must wait a minimum of 21 days before travel. If your pet has been vaccinated before, a booster is required. Document everything — you'll need proof of the exact date and vaccine details.
3 Months Before Departure
Schedule your health certificate appointment. The health certificate is valid for only 10 days, so timing is crucial. You'll want to book this appointment for about 7-10 days before your departure date. The vet will examine your pet and issue the certificate, which then needs to be endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority (USDA APHIS if you're in the US, APHA if you're in the UK, CFIA if you're in Canada).
2 Months Before Departure
Apply for government endorsement of your health certificate. This is a separate step from the vet exam and takes additional time. Don't skip this — China requires the health certificate to be officially endorsed. Budget 2-4 weeks for this process depending on your country.
1 Month Before Departure
Confirm your airline's pet policies and book your flight. Different airlines have different rules for pet travel. Check whether your pet can travel in the cabin or must go in cargo. Some airlines require advance notice — typically 48 hours — for service animals. Book early to secure pet-friendly flights.
2 Weeks Before Departure
Gather all documents and make copies. You'll need the original health certificate (valid within 10 days of arrival), microchip documentation, rabies vaccination records, and any other supporting documents. Make 2-3 copies of everything and keep originals separate.
7-10 Days Before Departure
Schedule your health certificate appointment with your vet. Remember, this certificate is only valid for 10 days, so timing is critical. The vet will do a final health check and issue the certificate on the spot.
5-7 Days Before Departure
Submit your health certificate for government endorsement if you haven't already. If you're doing this at the last minute, contact your government veterinary authority immediately — some offices have expedited services for international travel.
Day of Departure
Arrive at the airport early with all documents. Have your health certificate, microchip records, vaccination proof, and any other paperwork easily accessible. Your pet will enter through one of China's approved ports: Beijing Capital Airport (PEK), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), or Urumqi Airport. Veterinary inspection happens at the port of entry.
Documents Checklist
- Original health certificate (issued within 10 days of arrival, government-endorsed)
- Microchip documentation with 15-digit ISO number
- Rabies vaccination certificate with date and vaccine details
- Booster vaccination records (if applicable)
- Copies of all documents (keep 2-3 sets)
- Airline pet booking confirmation
- Passport and visa for yourself
- Pet's travel crate or carrier (airline-approved)
Quarantine & Port of Entry Details
Good news: if your documentation is complete and valid, you won't face quarantine. China doesn't require quarantine for pets arriving with proper health certificates, current rabies vaccination, and microchip documentation. However, you must enter through an approved port. For dogs specifically, that means Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Shanghai Hongqiao, or Urumqi Airport. Cats can enter through these ports as well, though we're still verifying if there are additional approved ports for cats — check with China's government veterinary authority to be sure.
Practical Tips from My Experience with Nala
When I traveled with Nala, I learned a few things the hard way. First, start the microchip process early — don't assume your vet has ISO chips in stock. Second, get your health certificate as close to departure as possible without cutting it too close. That 10-day window is tight. Third, make multiple copies of everything and keep them in different bags. I kept originals in my carry-on and copies in my checked luggage, just in case.
For the flight itself, if your pet is traveling in cargo, make sure the crate is well-ventilated and labeled clearly. If your pet is in the cabin, bring calming aids if your vet recommends them — long flights are stressful for animals. After landing, find a quiet spot to let your pet decompress before heading to your accommodation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Microchipping after vaccination: The microchip must come first. If you vaccinate before microchipping, you'll have to start the timeline over.
- Waiting too long for the health certificate: It's only valid for 10 days. Schedule it too early and it expires before you travel.
- Forgetting government endorsement: A vet-issued health certificate alone isn't enough. It must be endorsed by your country's veterinary authority.
- Ignoring breed restrictions: If your dog is a banned breed in your destination city, you won't be allowed to import it. Check this before you book anything.
- Not confirming the port of entry: You can't just fly into any airport. Stick to approved ports or your pet won't be cleared.
- Skipping the 21-day waiting period after first rabies vaccination: This isn't flexible. You must wait at least 21 days after the initial vaccine before traveling.
Service Animals & Special Circumstances
If you're traveling with a trained service dog, China recognizes trained service dogs (guide dogs, hearing dogs, mobility dogs) as per international standards. However, service dog status does not waive import documentation — your service dog still needs the microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and government endorsement. Emotional support animals are not recognized for travel purposes by government import authorities, so they follow standard pet import rules.
Airlines typically require 48 hours advance notice for service dogs, so notify them when you book. Service dogs also do not receive quarantine exemptions — standard biosecurity rules apply regardless of their working status.
What We're Still Verifying
We're still verifying specific details about approved laboratories for any required testing, exact costs for import permits (if applicable), and whether cats have additional approved ports of entry beyond the dog ports listed. For the most current information, contact China's General Administration of Customs or your local Chinese embassy's veterinary office.
Ready to Go?
Bringing your pet to China is absolutely achievable — it just requires planning, patience, and attention to detail. Start your timeline 6 months out, get your microchip done first, nail the vaccination schedule, and secure that health certificate at exactly the right time. Your furry friend will thank you when you're exploring together in your new home.
Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to create a custom checklist based on your specific pet and departure date.
Note: This guide is based on data auto-verified from official government sources and industry standards. Always confirm current requirements with China's General Administration of Customs and your local Chinese embassy before traveling.
Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 21, 2026