[October 2008]
INFORMATION FOR TRAVELING WITH PETS (CATS/DOGS) TO
MAINLAND CHINA
Items No. Requirements
Yes(?)
or
No(×)
1
Proof of rabies vaccination:
Pets must have a certificate showing they have been
vaccinated against rabies within one year and at least 30
days prior to entry into China. Pets under 3 months of age
are exempt from the rabies vaccination.
The proof of rabies vaccination (or rabies vaccination
certificate) will be retained by the Chinese quarantine
officials at the entry.
Have photocopies with you as they may be requested.
Documents
2
International Health Certificate:
International Health Certificate (APHIS form 7001) issued
by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the
USDA.
Only one pet can accompany the traveler and the travelers
name must be on the export health certificate. In addition,
each animal needs its own health certificate, so multiple
pets can not be on the same APHIS 7001.
Upon arrival into China, the health certificate should be
valid; usually a certificate issued by the United States is
valid for 30 days. If the validity period is not indicated on
the health certificate, it must be issued within two weeks
prior to your entry date into China.
It should include name of pet, type of pet (dog/cat and
breed), age, weight (and height for dogs), sex, plus a
general declaration that the pet is vaccinated and in good
health.
Make sure that the name of the owner of the pets which
appears on the health certificate matches the name on your
passport.
2/4
Have photocopies with you as they may be requested.
3
A copy of your passport (one passport per pet).
4
A photograph of your pet (a digital photo printed on regular
paper is adequate). For large dogs it is best to have
something in the photo to be able to judge the size.
Transport 5
Check with your intended airline as to what their rates are
and their current regulations for the transport of pets. It is
important to use an airline-approved pet carrier. Ensure that
you make a reservation for your pet, as space in the
appropriate section of the hold is usually limited. It's best to
ensure that conditions in the hold are suitable, especially if
you are not familiar with the airline. Some airlines also
allow small pets to travel with you in the cabin, but there is
still a charge for this. Many airlines charge a fixed rate for
transporting a pet in the hold as long as the owner is also on
board.
Be aware of restrictions concerning the temperature. Many
airlines will not allow a pet in the hold if it is too cold or
too hot (85°F) at the airport of departure or destination.
Speak with your airline representative for specifics.
Re-confirm your flight arrangements the day before you
leave to ensure there have been no unexpected flight
changes.
Customs and
quarantine 6
On arrival you should take your pet, fees (about RMB 150
per animal), and certificates to the animal and plant
quarantine office (CIQ) at the airport.
NOTE: Beijing Capital Airport Terminal 3, near the exit,
you could inquiry the ground service staff upon arrival. The
phone number is (86 10) 6459-0718.
The officials will keep the original rabies vaccination
certificate and international health certificate.
If you are not using an agent then ask your airline to notify
customs in advance that you will be arriving with your pet
to ensure that there is someone at the CIQ office, usually
there are CIQ staff on duty. Your pets require a 30-day
quarantine in the Beijing (or other arrival city) CIQ
3/4
designated facility. The rate is approximately 1000RMB
(cost in September 2008) for each pet (dog or cat), an extra
charge of 100RMB/day for extension period.
During quarantine, if clinical symptoms were observed,
pets are required to have a physical examination done. The
examination includes a clinical examination and a
laboratory examination (blood examination, parasite
examination, and a serological test for rabies and for dog
rapid antigen tests for canine distemper, parvovirus and
coronavirus are required, for cats rapid antigen tests for
feline distemper, peritonitis and feline leucopenia are
required). The antibody titer for rabies is required to be
above 0.5 IU. If the owner provides test results within the
efficacy period of rabies vaccination (within one year) from
an authoritative laboratory (it should be a lab authorized by
USDA, and certificate is needed in this case), serological
test for rabies could be exempted. The pets will be released
only after passing the tests.
NOTE: If the US traveler holds a diplomatic passport then a
home quarantine is permitted. Pets are required to have a
physical examination done in the CIQ designated pet
hospital within 7 days of arrival in China. [In Beijing, it is
the Beijing Pet Animal Hospital (also called the Beijing
Guan Shang Animal Hospital). The address is: No.7,
Beisanhuan zhonglu, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100101 (#7
North Third Ring Middle Road. It is approximately 300
meters West of An Hua Qiao, on the North side of the
street.) Tel: (8610) 6237-1359, 6204-9631, 6204-9742,
Fax: 6204-9742, http://www.chinapet.com.cn). If you are
arriving in other cities, please contact the local Entry /Exit
Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (CIQ) for detailed
information.] The examination includes a clinical
examination and a laboratory examination (blood
examination, parasite examination, and a serological test
for rabies and for dog rapid antigen tests for canine
distemper, parvovirus and corona virus, for cats also
include rapid antigen tests for feline distemper, peritonitis
and feline leucopenia). The antibody titer for rabies is
required to be above 0.5 IU. If the owner provides test
results within the efficacy period of rabies vaccination
(within one year) from an authoritative laboratory (it should
be a lab authorized by USDA, and certificate is needed),
serological testing for rabies could be exempted. The cost
in China is approximately 500RMB (cost in September
2008).
4/4
Animals which do not pass the tests may be confiscated and
entry into China rejected.
If you are arriving in other airports such as Shanghai or
Guangzhou, you will need to provide the same
documentations as required above, and the pets are required
to under go a 30 days quarantine (the cost may vary). When
you arrive, please ask the quarantine office at the airport.
Registration
of your pet
dog
7
Regulations state dogs need to be registered, with the local
police of your place of residence, within one month upon
arrival. You need to contact the local police office for
further information on registration of pets where you are
going to stay.
Local cities inconsistently mandate to have dogs registered
with the police stations. We recommend checking with
local officials, due to risk of rabies control measures. When
rabies cases are detected, some local governments might
order all pet animals within a radius of 5km destroyed.

Article source: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ - United States Department of Agriculture.