Pets Importing/Moving to China Part II

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Travelers with pets will undoubtedly face the dilemma of whether or not to bring their companions along for the trip. They might have trouble finding someone to take care of the fuzzy little friends while they’re gone, or they simply can’t bear to be without their pets. Regardless of the reasons, these individuals will need to follow a set of general pet import regulations if they intend on moving pets to China. These regulations exist to ensure the health of both the Chinese citizens and the pets, and are absolutely necessary.

The first thing travelers should do is get all their papers in order. Any vaccination records – for flu, rabies, hepatitis, and any other possibly contagious disease – should be filed and put together for easy presentation to the authorities. It is important to have pets vaccinated against as many illnesses as possible in order to ensure smoother importation into China. These papers should be prepared and signed by a licensed veterinarian, and be presented along with a certificate of good health. 

Another paper that should be prepared is a resident’s Visa. If travelers do not possess these papers, the requirement can be bypassed with the help of an acknowledged pet relocation agency. If they intend on bringing their pets around in public, travelers should also make it a point to bring their licenses and certificates of ownership wherever they go, as authorities tend to check on these documents following a trend of pet theft in urban areas. Multiple copies of these papers should be made, as Plant and Quarantine Office workers tend to keep any copies they are furnished. Costs in moving pets to China include a mandatory 1,000 RMB fee to go along with any additional charges.

During flights, pets should be carried in appropriate compartments. Pet carriers often have to follow guidelines set by the airlines, and so travelers need to look the rules up before departing. As a rule of thumb, all pet carriers need to be lined with cloth or any other absorbent material, so as to avoid any leakage of the animal’s waste during travel. Carriers should be clearly demarcated as containing a live animal.

Some pets are prohibited from entry into China, however. Although dogs are generally allowed, certain breeds are regarded as too violent for travel. Rottweilers, pit bulls, and other dogs known for foul temperaments must be left at home. Other animals barred from entry are rabbits and snakes, as these might interfere with the country’s delicate ecosystem if accidentally lost.

In addition to these prohibitions, some Chinese cities require a one-week quarantine period before the pet is allowed in public. This makes bringing pets along on short trips an impractical choice. Several cities also enforce a strict one dog per household rule; if a household is already home to one canine, travelers should refrain from bringing in an additional one.

For Further Reading:

Pet adoption process in China – Cheap and Grounded

Pet Adoption in China – A Booming Industry

Other Related Topics:

Bringing pets?

Bringing pets to China

Vets & Pet Sitters in OCT