Can I bring my pet to China? The short answer is YES. HOWEVER, it is not as easy as just showing up in China with your pet. To help our incoming teachers get started, we have broken this process down into several easy to follow steps for readers to follow if bringing their pets to China.
Since various country have different variations in their process, we are just going to go over the process for those taking their pets from the USA to China. Likely, other countries will follow similar processes. Therefore, please be sure to check with your Embassy to confirm while taking care of your work visa.
Step 1: Get Proof of Vaccination Shots
The first step is making sure you have all proper vaccines and documents of vaccines for your pet. These documents will need to be given to Quarantine Officials upon arriving in China. Make sure you have with you multiple copies (both digital and physical) of each document at all times.
- Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies within 1 year of entry into China.
- Pets under 3 months do not need to be vaccinated for rabies.Step 2: Proper International Health Certificate
You will need to make sure that all your vaccine documents meet USDA standards before arriving in China. This means that your Veterinarian must be USDA Accredited Veterinarian or your paperwork may not be valid and up to China standards.
- Only 1 pet is allowed per traveler.
- Each pet must have its own set of health certificate documents.
Step 2: Proper International Health Certificate
You will need to make sure that all your vaccine documents meet USDA standards before arriving in China. This means that your Veterinarian must be USDA Accredited Veterinarian or your paperwork may not be valid and up to China standards.
- Only 1 pet is allowed per traveler.
- Each pet must have its own set of health certificate documents.
Step 3: Obtain a Pet Passport (Color Copy)
Each pet needs to have a color copy of the owner/traveler’s passport. The name on the passport must also match what is on all the pet’s health certificate papers. We recommend checking out passpawt.com to learn more about pet passports.
Step 4: Color Photograph of Your Pet
Each pet will need to have colored photo (preferably multiple). This will be kept with all the records of your pet as it is processed for their arrival in China.
Step 5: Chinese Customs & Quarantine for Your Pet
This is going to be the toughest part of the process for bringing your pet to China, but quarantine is a part of the process for bringing your pet to China.
When it comes to quarantine, please note that depending on the country that you are coming from, there could be different quarantine lengths from 7 days to 30 days. Please check with your local embassy & department of agriculture to confirm the length for your country.
- Notify Chinese Customs of your pet’s arrival to China. This will give them a heads up to know that you are bringing your pet with you to China.
- Once you arrive you will need to take your pet, at least 280 元 ($35) in chas to cover fees, and proper documents to the Animal & Plant Quarantine Office (CIQ) at the airport.
- During your pet’s quarantine, if clinical symptoms are observed, pets will be required to have an examination and undergo laboratory testing.
- Your pet will be released only after your pet is determined to be healthy and has passed the required testing.
Step 6: Register Your Pet with Local Police
Once you have picked up your pet from quarantine and get your apartment settled during onboarding week, you and your pet will both have to register at the police station. This will need to be done each time you move apartments while in China.
TIPS:
1. Bring Your Pet Through Shenzhen, Bao’an International Aiport, not Hong Kong International Airport
Most teachers arriving in to teach with us in Shenzhen will either fly into Hong Kong or directly to Shenzhen. We highly recommend teachers to arrive in Shenzhen to avoid bringing your pet through two different border customs.
This will make the process a whole lot shorter and smoother. Because you will be arriving directly into Shenzhen, the visa on arrival will not be an option for you and will have to get the Z visa completed in your home country. For those not working in Guangdong province, arriving at the city’s airport is fine.
1. Additional Resources
Bringing a pet to China is not an easy decision. So make sure you plan ahead and budget accordingly. Soon enough you’ll be in China with your furry loved one! Check out the links below for more information.
– Steps to Obtain an International Health Certificate for Pets
– Checklist for Obtaining an International Health Certificate for Pets
– More FAQs on International Travel with your Pet
– User Fees
– Pet Travel Guide