Bringing a pet to Hong Kong

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Hong Kong's pet import regime is administered by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). Quarantine length depends on the rabies-risk group of the origin country and on whether rabies vaccination and titer documentation are valid. Owners need an AFCD import permit before travel, must book quarantine space in advance where applicable, and must meet strict paperwork deadlines.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Hong Kong.

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, endorsed by the competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Hong Kong does not ban specific dog breeds for import, but the Dangerous Dogs Regulation lists several types (e.g. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, and their crosses) that must be muzzled and leashed in public. These breeds can be imported but are subject to strict control conditions. Additionally, some airlines refuse to carry brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs and Boxers on certain routes or seasons — check with your carrier.

Documents checklist

AFCD import permit (apply before travel)
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Official health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Microchip certificate / proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~US$30–50, health certificate ~US$100–200, AFCD import permit fee ~HK$432 (about US$55). No titer test or quarantine fee applies in this group if documents are correct. Confirm current prices with a local vet and AFCD.

Group I origins (e.g. UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore) generally qualify for the shortest or no quarantine provided all documentation is correct. A dog must be at least 3 months old to be imported.

AFCD Hong Kong

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

None

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: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

AFCD import permit
Rabies vaccination certificate
FAVN/RFFIT rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml)
Official health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Microchip certificate
Proof of titer test timing (90-day wait)

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~US$30–50, health certificate ~US$100–200, FAVN titer test ~US$100–250, AFCD import permit ~HK$432. No quarantine fee applies if all documents are correct. Confirm current prices with a local vet and AFCD.

Group II origins (most of Europe, US, Canada) require a titer test and a 90-day wait after the blood sample. If the titer test is not done or fails, the dog is quarantined for 4 months. A dog must be at least 3 months old.

AFCD Hong Kong

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

120 days

Dogs from Group III origins are quarantined for 4 months (120 days) at the AFCD Animal Management Centre in Sheung Shui, unless they meet the titer test and 90-day wait requirements, in which case quarantine may be reduced to 0 days but only if all other conditions are met. In practice, many Group III pets still face quarantine due to documentation issues.

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: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Documents checklist

AFCD import permit
Rabies vaccination certificate
FAVN/RFFIT rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml)
Official health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Microchip certificate
Quarantine booking confirmation (if applicable)
Proof of titer test timing (90-day wait)

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~US$30–50, health certificate ~US$100–200, FAVN titer test ~US$100–250, AFCD import permit ~HK$432, quarantine ~HK$90–200 per day for up to 120 days (total ~HK$10,800–24,000). Confirm current prices with a local vet and AFCD.

Group III origins (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) face the strictest rules. A 4-month quarantine applies unless the pet has a valid titer test and meets the 90-day wait; even then, AFCD may still require quarantine if paperwork is incomplete. Book quarantine space well in advance — it fills up.

AFCD Hong Kong

Frequently asked questions

There is no fixed numeric cap for personal pets, but if you are bringing more than 5 dogs, AFCD may treat the movement as commercial and require additional licensing. For 1–5 pets, the standard import permit and quarantine rules apply per animal. Each dog needs its own permit and documentation.

No. Hong Kong does not exempt service dogs or emotional support animals from import requirements. They must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, titer test (if applicable), health certificate and permit rules as any other dog. Some airlines may allow them in the cabin, but that does not change the import regulations.

Dogs from Group III (high-risk) origins are subject to 120 days (4 months) quarantine at the AFCD Animal Management Centre in Sheung Shui. If the dog has a valid FAVN titer test (≥0.5 IU/ml) taken at least 30 days after rabies vaccination and the owner waits 90 days after the blood sample before arrival, quarantine can be reduced to 0 days — but only if all paperwork is perfect. In practice, many pets still face quarantine due to missing or incorrect documents.

Start at least 7 months before travel. The timeline: microchip and rabies vaccination (day 0), then wait 30 days, then FAVN titer test (day 30–60), then wait 90 days after the blood draw (day 120–150), then apply for the AFCD import permit (allow 2–4 weeks), then get the health certificate within 10 days of arrival. Total: roughly 5–7 months.

No. The UK is a Group I origin, so a titer test is not required. The dog needs a microchip, a current rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), an official health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, and an AFCD import permit. No quarantine is required if all documents are in order.

AFCD will detain the dog and may place it in quarantine for up to 4 months at your expense (approximately HK$90–200 per day). If the dog lacks a valid rabies vaccination or titer test, quarantine is mandatory. In severe cases, the dog may be refused entry and returned to the origin country at the owner's cost.

Most dogs must travel as cargo or in the hold, depending on the airline. Hong Kong does not allow pets to arrive in the cabin except for certain assistance dogs on specific airlines. All pets, regardless of transport method, must enter through the AFCD Animal Management Centre or a designated port and clear import formalities. Check with your airline for specific cabin policies.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Hong Kong.

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 or an officially endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200. No import permit or FAVN titer test is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).

No quarantine or rabies titer test is required for cats from designated rabies-free areas. The cat must be microchipped and accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate and a health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival. No import permit is required.

AFCD Hong Kong

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 or an officially endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200. No import permit or FAVN titer test is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Hong Kong AFCD.

No quarantine or rabies titer test is required for cats from low-risk countries. The cat must be microchipped and accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate and a health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival. No import permit is required.

AFCD Hong Kong

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

120 days

Quarantine at the Hong Kong AFCD Animal Management Centre or a designated quarantine facility. The 120-day quarantine can be reduced to 30 days if the cat has a valid FAVN test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml and meets all other requirements, but the cat must still undergo at least 30 days of quarantine.

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the exporting country or an officially endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by the Hong Kong AFCD
Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
FAVN rabies titer test result (at least 0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days before arrival
Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, import permit fee ~$50–100, quarantine fees ~$10–20 per day for 30–120 days. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Hong Kong AFCD.

Cats from high-risk rabies countries must have a rabies titer test (FAVN) at least 90 days before travel and are subject to quarantine for 120 days, which can be reduced to 30 days if the titer test is valid and all other conditions are met. An import permit is required. Quarantine must be booked in advance with AFCD.

AFCD Hong Kong

Frequently asked questions

Hong Kong allows a maximum of 5 cats per person per year for non-commercial import. If you bring more than 5, the import is considered commercial and requires additional licensing and compliance with commercial import regulations.

No. Hong Kong does not exempt emotional support or service animals from import requirements. All cats, regardless of their role, must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and quarantine (if applicable) rules. Service animals may be allowed in cabin, but import conditions remain the same.

Cats from high-risk countries must undergo 120 days of quarantine at an AFCD facility. However, if the cat has a valid FAVN rabies titer test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml taken at least 90 days before travel, the quarantine can be reduced to 30 days. Quarantine must be booked in advance.

No. Cats from low-risk countries (e.g., USA, UK, Japan, Australia) do not require a rabies titer test. Only cats from high-risk countries need a FAVN test with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml.

The health certificate must be issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days before the cat's arrival in Hong Kong. It must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation.

No. All cats entering Hong Kong must be identified with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. The microchip number must be recorded on the rabies vaccination certificate and health certificate.

There is no specific minimum age for import, but the cat must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of rabies vaccination, and the vaccination must be valid for at least 21 days before travel. In practice, this means the cat should be at least 15 weeks old at import.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Hong Kong.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the exporting country (or USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian for US-origin pets) · valid 14 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) – apply at least 2 weeks before travel
Veterinary health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian, issued within 14 days of arrival
Valid rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before travel
Microchip implantation certificate or record (ISO 11784/11785)
Proof of origin (e.g., export certificate or owner's declaration)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: AFCD import permit ~HK$430 (about US$55), health certificate ~US$100–200, microchip ~US$30–50, rabies vaccination ~US$20–50. Confirm current fees with AFCD and your vet.

Ferrets are not on the AFCD list of prohibited animals, but they are considered 'other pets' and require an import permit. All ferrets must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. No quarantine is required if all documents are in order. The rabies vaccine must be given at least 30 days before travel; a 12-month booster is required for ongoing validity.

AFCD Hong Kong

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 30+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the exporting country (or USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian for US-origin pets) · valid 14 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by AFCD – apply at least 2 weeks before travel
Veterinary health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian, issued within 14 days of arrival
Valid rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before travel
Microchip implantation certificate or record (ISO 11784/11785)
Proof of origin (e.g., export certificate or owner's declaration)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: AFCD import permit ~HK$430 (about US$55), health certificate ~US$100–200, microchip ~US$30–50, rabies vaccination ~US$20–50. Confirm current fees with AFCD and your vet.

Same requirements as for free-tier origins. Ferrets from low-risk countries do not need a rabies titer test (FAVN) for Hong Kong. Quarantine is not required if the animal meets all entry conditions. Ensure the rabies vaccine is current and administered at least 30 days before travel.

AFCD Hong Kong

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

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the exporting country (or USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian for US-origin pets) · valid 14 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

Import permit issued by AFCD – apply at least 2 weeks before travel
Veterinary health certificate endorsed by a government veterinarian, issued within 14 days of arrival
Valid rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before travel
FAVN rabies titer test result from an approved laboratory, with blood drawn at least 90 days before travel
Microchip implantation certificate or record (ISO 11784/11785)
Proof of origin (e.g., export certificate or owner's declaration)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: AFCD import permit ~HK$430 (about US$55), health certificate ~US$100–200, microchip ~US$30–50, rabies vaccination ~US$20–50, FAVN titer test ~US$100–250. Confirm current fees with AFCD and your vet.

Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries must have a valid FAVN titer test result. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. No quarantine is required if all conditions are met. If the titer test is not done or fails, the ferret may be subject to quarantine or refused entry.

AFCD Hong Kong

Frequently asked questions

Yes, ferrets are allowed into Hong Kong, but they are classified as 'other pets' and require an import permit from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). You must also provide a health certificate, proof of rabies vaccination, and a microchip. Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries additionally need a FAVN titer test.

Hong Kong does not set a specific numerical limit for non-commercial pet ferrets, but each animal must have its own import permit and meet all health requirements. If you are bringing more than a few, AFCD may consider it a commercial import, which has additional licensing and inspection requirements. Contact AFCD in advance if you plan to bring more than 2–3 ferrets.

No. Hong Kong does not grant exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All ferrets, regardless of their role, must comply with the same import permit, health certificate, rabies vaccination, and microchip requirements. There is no waiver for assistance animals.

It depends on the origin country. Ferrets from low-risk or rabies-free countries do not need a FAVN test. Ferrets from high-risk rabies countries (as defined by AFCD) must have a FAVN test with a blood sample taken at least 30 days after rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before travel to Hong Kong.

The rabies vaccine must be administered at least 30 days before travel and must be current (not expired). The vaccine is typically valid for 1 year, but check the vaccine certificate for the exact validity period. If the vaccine has expired, your ferret will need a booster and a new 30-day waiting period.

No quarantine is required if your ferret meets all entry requirements: valid import permit, health certificate, rabies vaccination, microchip, and (if applicable) FAVN titer test. If any requirement is not met, AFCD may impose quarantine at the owner's expense or refuse entry.

Your ferret must be implanted with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. If the microchip is not ISO compliant, you must provide a microchip reader that can read it. The microchip number must be recorded on the health certificate and vaccination records.

Good to know

Hong Kong classifies origin countries into Group I, II and III for rabies risk, and requirements (permit, titer test, quarantine length) differ by group. All pets must be microchipped, rabies-vaccinated and accompanied by an AFCD-endorsed health certificate. Import permits are issued by AFCD and must be obtained before travel. Quarantine, when required, is at the AFCD Animal Management Centre in Sheung Shui.

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 Hong Kong, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).