Bringing a pet to China

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

China's pet import rules are tiered by the origin country's rabies status, not uniform. Every dog needs an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, a GACC-issued advance import permit, and an official health certificate. Pets from GACC-recognised rabies-free or well-controlled origins qualify for 7-day quarantine (facility or approved home quarantine); all other origins face 30 days at a designated facility. Start 3–6 months ahead: the permit, titer test (where required), and quarantine booking are time-sensitive and cannot be arranged at the airport.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to China.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
7 days
7-day quarantine at a GACC-designated facility at the port of entry, or at the owner's residence if the port authority approves home quarantine and the pet is from a GACC-recognised rabies-free or well-controlled country. Home quarantine requires a fixed address in China and a local veterinary inspection on day 7.
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the competent authority (e.g. USDA APHIS, DEFRA, or equivalent) · valid 14 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

China does not impose a nationwide breed ban on dogs entering the country, but many cities (including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen) have local regulations banning or restricting certain breeds — typically aggressive breeds such as Tibetan Mastiffs, Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and some large guard breeds — and these bans apply to resident dogs, including imported ones. Brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, etc.) are not banned by China but are restricted by many airlines for carriage in cargo or cabin due to respiratory risk; confirm with the airline. Check the specific city's public security bureau dog registration rules before importing.

Documents checklist

  • GACC Quarantine Permit for Entry Animals and Plants (advance application, 2–4 weeks processing)
  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (≥30 days and ≤12 months before entry, microchip number shown)
  • Official health certificate issued within 14 days of departure and endorsed by the origin government
  • Owner's passport and Chinese visa or residence permit copy
  • Air waybill / cargo manifest showing the pet as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30–60, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, health certificate and government endorsement ~$100–250, GACC import permit and agent fees ~$150–400, quarantine facility ~$30–80 per day for 7 days, plus air cargo or excess baggage fees. No titer test is required in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and a GACC-licensed pet import agent in China.

Only pets from GACC's recognised rabies-free or well-controlled list (e.g. Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, UK, and some EU states) qualify for the 7-day quarantine. The list is published by GACC and updated periodically; confirm the origin country is currently on it before booking. The pet must arrive at a port with a designated quarantine facility — Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and a few others. Transit through a high-risk country may disqualify the pet from the short quarantine.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
30 days
30-day quarantine at a GACC-designated facility at the port of entry. Home quarantine is not available for this tier. The pet is held at the owner's expense and released after a veterinary inspection on day 30.
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the competent authority (e.g. USDA APHIS, DEFRA, or equivalent) · valid 14 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

China does not impose a nationwide breed ban on dogs entering the country, but many cities (including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen) have local regulations banning or restricting certain breeds — typically aggressive breeds such as Tibetan Mastiffs, Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and some large guard breeds — and these bans apply to resident dogs, including imported ones. Brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, etc.) are not banned by China but are restricted by many airlines for carriage in cargo or cabin due to respiratory risk; confirm with the airline. Check the specific city's public security bureau dog registration rules before importing.

Documents checklist

  • GACC Quarantine Permit for Entry Animals and Plants (advance application, 2–4 weeks processing)
  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (≥30 days and ≤12 months before entry, microchip number shown)
  • FAVN/RFFIT rabies titer test report (≥0.5 IU/ml) from a GACC-recognised laboratory
  • Official health certificate issued within 14 days of departure and endorsed by the origin government
  • Owner's passport and Chinese visa or residence permit copy
  • Air waybill / cargo manifest showing the pet as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30–60, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, FAVN titer test ~$150–350 including shipping to an approved lab, health certificate and government endorsement ~$100–250, GACC import permit and agent fees ~$150–400, quarantine facility ~$30–80 per day for 30 days. Confirm current prices with a local vet and a GACC-licensed pet import agent in China.

Most of Europe, the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand fall into this tier. The titer test must be done at a GACC-recognised laboratory — a local vet's in-house test is not accepted. The 30-day quarantine is mandatory and cannot be waived. Book the quarantine facility through a GACC-licensed agent before departure; walk-in arrivals without a booking may be refused entry or held at the port at the owner's risk.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
30 days
30-day quarantine at a GACC-designated facility at the port of entry. Home quarantine is not available. The pet is held at the owner's expense and released after a veterinary inspection on day 30. In some cases GACC may extend quarantine if the pet shows signs of illness on arrival.
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the competent authority (e.g. USDA APHIS, DEFRA, or equivalent) · valid 14 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

China does not impose a nationwide breed ban on dogs entering the country, but many cities (including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen) have local regulations banning or restricting certain breeds — typically aggressive breeds such as Tibetan Mastiffs, Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and some large guard breeds — and these bans apply to resident dogs, including imported ones. Brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, etc.) are not banned by China but are restricted by many airlines for carriage in cargo or cabin due to respiratory risk; confirm with the airline. Check the specific city's public security bureau dog registration rules before importing.

Documents checklist

  • GACC Quarantine Permit for Entry Animals and Plants (advance application, 2–4 weeks processing)
  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (≥30 days and ≤12 months before entry, microchip number shown)
  • FAVN/RFFIT rabies titer test report (≥0.5 IU/ml) from a GACC-recognised laboratory
  • Official health certificate issued within 14 days of departure and endorsed by the origin government
  • Owner's passport and Chinese visa or residence permit copy
  • Air waybill / cargo manifest showing the pet as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30–60, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, FAVN titer test ~$150–350 including shipping to an approved lab, health certificate and government endorsement ~$100–250, GACC import permit and agent fees ~$150–400, quarantine facility ~$30–80 per day for 30 days. Confirm current prices with a local vet and a GACC-licensed pet import agent in China.

Pets from CDC high-risk rabies countries (most of Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, Russia, Thailand, etc.) face the full 30-day quarantine and cannot use home quarantine. The titer test is mandatory and must be from a GACC-recognised laboratory. Some airlines refuse to carry pets from high-risk origins into China, so confirm with the carrier before booking. A GACC-licensed agent is effectively required to navigate the permit and quarantine booking.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

GACC allows a single non-commercial traveller to bring up to 2 dogs or cats per entry under the simplified accompanied-baggage procedure. Bringing 3 or more animals, or importing for resale or breeding, triggers commercial import rules: a full GACC import licence, an isolation facility inspection, and a 30-day quarantine at a commercial quarantine station. If you are moving a household with more than 2 pets, split the animals across separate travellers or use a licensed import agent and expect commercial-level paperwork.
No. China does not exempt emotional-support animals or service dogs from the standard import requirements. A service dog entering China still needs the ISO microchip, rabies vaccination, GACC import permit, health certificate, titer test (if from a non-recognised country), and the applicable quarantine — 7 days for recognised low-risk origins, 30 days otherwise. Some airlines allow service dogs in the cabin, but that is an airline policy, not a Chinese import exemption. Plan for the same paperwork and quarantine as any other dog.
Budget 3–6 months. The rabies vaccination must be at least 30 days old before the titer test, the titer test result takes 2–4 weeks to come back from an approved laboratory, the GACC import permit takes 2–4 weeks to process, and the health certificate must be issued within 14 days of departure. If your dog is from a high-risk country and the first titer result is below 0.5 IU/ml, you need a booster and a repeat test, adding another 4–6 weeks. Do not book flights until the permit is in hand.
Only if your dog is from a country on GACC's recognised rabies-free or well-controlled list (e.g. Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and some EU states) and you arrive at a port that permits home quarantine. In that case the quarantine is 7 days at your residence in China, with a local veterinary inspection on day 7. Dogs from all other origins — including the US, Canada, and most of Europe — must complete the full 30 days at a GACC-designated facility. There is no discretionary waiver.
Your dog must arrive at a port with a GACC-designated animal quarantine facility. The main ones are Beijing Capital International (PEK), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Chengdu Tianfu (TFU), and a small number of others including Xiamen and Qingdao. If you fly into a port without a quarantine facility, the animal may be refused entry or transferred at your expense. Confirm the port's facility status with a GACC-licensed agent before booking your flight.
GACC will either refuse entry and order the animal returned to the origin country at the owner's expense, or detain the animal at the port quarantine facility until the paperwork is resolved — which can take days or weeks and may result in a longer quarantine. There is no grace period and no option to 'fix it later' at the airport. Carry originals (not copies) of the GACC permit, rabies certificate, titer test report, health certificate, and microchip certificate, and keep a digital backup.
Yes, for most origins. The US, Canada, and most EU countries are not on GACC's recognised rabies-free list, so a FAVN or RFFIT titer test with a result ≥0.5 IU/ml is required, with the blood sample drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and within 12 months before entry. The test must be run at a GACC-recognised laboratory — Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory and ANSES Nancy are commonly used. A local vet's in-house titer is not accepted.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to China.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the exporting country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 1 year)
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Import permit from GACC (if required by origin country status)

Rough budget

Approximate ranges only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit ~$50-100 if required, quarantine $0 if not required. Confirm current prices with a local vet and GACC.

For cats from free rabies-risk countries (e.g., Andorra, San Marino, Vatican), China generally does not require a rabies titer test or quarantine if all documentation is complete. An import permit may still be required depending on the specific origin country's status. Verify with GACC.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the exporting country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 1 year)
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Import permit from GACC

Rough budget

Approximate ranges only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit ~$50-100, quarantine $0 if not required. Confirm current prices with a local vet and GACC.

For cats from low-risk countries (e.g., most of Europe, US, UK, Japan, Australia), China requires an import permit and a health certificate, but no rabies titer test or quarantine if all documents are in order. The cat must be at least 3 months old.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
7 days
7 days quarantine at a designated facility if all documents are complete, including titer test. If titer test is missing or inadequate, quarantine may be extended to 30 days or the animal may be denied entry.
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the exporting country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 1 year)
  • FAVN rabies titer test result from approved lab
  • Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Import permit from GACC

Rough budget

Approximate ranges only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit ~$50-100, quarantine ~$200-500. Confirm current prices with a local vet and GACC.

For cats from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), China requires a rabies titer test (FAVN) and a 7-day quarantine even with complete documentation. The titer test must be done at least 3 months before travel. If any document is missing, quarantine can be extended to 30 days.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

China allows a maximum of 1 cat per person for non-commercial import. If you are bringing more than 1 cat, you will need to follow commercial import procedures, which involve additional permits and inspections. This limit applies regardless of the origin country's rabies-risk tier.
No. China does not exempt emotional support or service animals from standard import requirements. All cats, including service animals, must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and permit requirements. There is no special provision for service animals in China's pet import regulations.
Cats from high-risk countries must undergo a minimum 7-day quarantine at a designated facility, even with a valid FAVN titer test and complete documentation. If the titer test is missing or the result is below 0.5 IU/ml, quarantine can be extended to 30 days. Quarantine must be arranged in advance through GACC.
No. The United States is considered a low-risk country for rabies, so a rabies titer test is not required. However, you must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate, an ISO microchip, an official health certificate, and an import permit from GACC. No quarantine is required if all documents are complete.
Start at least 3-4 months before travel. For high-risk countries, the FAVN titer test must be done at least 3 months before travel, and you need time for the import permit (which can take 2-4 weeks). For low-risk countries, allow at least 2 months for the permit and health certificate. The health certificate is valid for only 10 days, so it must be issued close to travel.
If documents are incomplete or invalid, the cat may be denied entry, returned to the origin country at your expense, or placed in quarantine for up to 30 days. In severe cases, the animal may be euthanized. Ensure all documents are correct and valid before travel.
Airlines may allow cats in the cabin for flights to China, but this depends on the airline's policy and the aircraft type. China's import regulations do not prohibit cabin transport, but the cat must still meet all entry requirements. Check with your airline for specific cabin pet rules, as some airlines have restrictions on brachycephalic breeds.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to China.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
30 days
Mandatory 30-day post-arrival quarantine at a designated facility in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou. Home quarantine is not allowed. Book quarantine in advance through the port of entry's customs office.
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the exporting country, endorsed by the competent authority (e.g., USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK). · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 4 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 30 days and not more than 12 months at time of entry)
  • Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Import permit issued by GACC (General Administration of Customs of China)
  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Quarantine booking confirmation

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit ~$50-150, quarantine ~$500-1000 (30 days), plus agent fees. Prices vary; confirm with a local vet and GACC.

Ferrets are not eligible for reduced quarantine (only dogs and cats from designated countries may qualify for 7-day or 0-day quarantine under certain conditions). All ferrets must undergo 30-day quarantine.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
30 days
Mandatory 30-day post-arrival quarantine at a designated facility. Home quarantine is not allowed. Book quarantine in advance.
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the exporting country, endorsed by the competent authority. · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 4 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 30 days and not more than 12 months at time of entry)
  • FAVN/RFFIT titer test result from approved lab (≥0.5 IU/ml, test done ≥90 days before travel)
  • Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Import permit issued by GACC
  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Quarantine booking confirmation

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit ~$50-150, quarantine ~$500-1000. Prices vary; confirm with a local vet and GACC.

A rabies titer test is required in addition to vaccination. The 90-day wait after titer test is mandatory. Quarantine is 30 days for all ferrets regardless of origin.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
30 days
Mandatory 30-day post-arrival quarantine at a designated facility. Ferrets from high-risk origins may be subject to extended quarantine (up to 45 days) at the discretion of the port health authority. Book quarantine in advance.
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the exporting country, endorsed by the competent authority. · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 4 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 30 days and not more than 12 months at time of entry)
  • FAVN/RFFIT titer test result from approved lab (≥0.5 IU/ml, test done ≥90 days before travel)
  • Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel
  • Import permit issued by GACC
  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Quarantine booking confirmation
  • Additional declaration from exporting government veterinarian confirming no rabies in the region of origin in the past 12 months

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, health certificate ~$100-200, import permit ~$50-150, quarantine ~$500-1000 (or more if extended). Prices vary; confirm with a local vet and GACC.

High-risk origins face the same core requirements as low-risk but with stricter scrutiny, possible extended quarantine, and additional documentation. Ferrets are not exempt from any requirements.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but ferrets are not classified as 'pets' under China's simplified pet import rules (which only cover dogs and cats). Ferrets are treated as 'other animals' and must meet stricter requirements: an import permit from GACC, a rabies titer test (for all origins except those with negligible rabies risk, but in practice all ferrets require it), and a mandatory 30-day quarantine at a designated facility. You cannot do home quarantine with a ferret.
China's non-commercial pet import rules allow a maximum of 1 dog or cat per person (or 2 if accompanied by a special permit). For ferrets, there is no explicit non-commercial limit, but each ferret requires its own import permit and quarantine space. In practice, bringing more than 1-2 ferrets will trigger commercial import rules, which require additional permits, inspections, and possibly a quarantine of 30 days or more. Check with GACC for current limits.
No. China does not recognize emotional support animals, and service animals (including guide dogs) are not exempt from import requirements. All ferrets, regardless of role, must have an import permit, microchip, rabies vaccination, titer test (if applicable), and undergo 30-day quarantine. There is no exemption for service or emotional support ferrets.
For ferrets from low-risk or high-risk rabies countries, a FAVN or RFFIT test must be performed at a GACC-approved laboratory. The result must be ≥0.5 IU/ml, and the test must be done at least 90 days before travel. For ferrets from 'free' countries (e.g., Andorra, San Marino, Vatican), the titer test is not required, but in practice China may still request it. Always confirm with GACC.
Quarantine is 30 days for all ferrets, regardless of origin country. Ferrets from high-risk countries may face extended quarantine up to 45 days at the discretion of the port health authority. Quarantine must be at a designated facility in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou, and must be booked in advance. Home quarantine is not allowed for ferrets.
You need: (1) a rabies vaccination certificate (valid 30 days to 12 months before entry), (2) an official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by a government veterinarian, (3) an import permit from GACC, (4) a microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785), (5) a FAVN/RFFIT titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml, test ≥90 days before travel) for low-risk and high-risk origins, and (6) a quarantine booking confirmation. For high-risk origins, an additional declaration about rabies status in the region may be required.
No. China does not have breed-specific restrictions for ferrets. All ferrets are subject to the same import requirements regardless of breed or color. However, some airlines may have their own restrictions on transporting ferrets, so check with your carrier.

Good to know

Administered by the General Administration of Customs (GACC) under the 2021 Measures for the Administration of Quarantine of Entry Animals and Plants. All dogs and cats need a GACC 'Quarantine Permit for Entry Animals and Plants' (进境动植物检疫许可证) obtained in advance by the importer or a designated agent; the permit is tied to the specific animal, microchip number, and port of entry. Pets must arrive at a port with a designated quarantine facility (Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, Chengdu Tianfu, and a handful of others). Rabies vaccination must be given at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before entry, and the certificate must show the microchip number. A rabies neutralising antibody titer test (FAVN or RFFIT, ≥0.5 IU/ml) is required for pets from countries not on GACC's recognised list; the sample must be taken at least 30 days after vaccination and the result is generally valid for 12 months. The health certificate must be issued by an official government veterinarian within 14 days of departure and endorsed by the origin country's competent authority (USDA APHIS, DEFRA, etc.).

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to China, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with China's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.