Bringing a pet to Taiwan
Taiwan requires advance import permits, ISO microchipping, rabies vaccination, and quarantine for all dogs. Quarantine length and testing depend on the origin country's rabies-risk category and documentation completeness. Start planning 3–6 months ahead; high-risk origins need 7–8 months.
Requirements for your pet
Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Taiwan.
Minimum age: 3 months
Breed restrictions
Taiwan does not ban specific dog breeds for import, but brachycephalic breeds (e.g., pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers) may face airline restrictions due to respiratory risks during transport. Some airlines refuse to carry snub-nosed breeds in cargo. Check with your airline before booking. BAPHIQ does not impose breed-specific bans, but aggressive breeds may require additional behavioral assessment.
Documents checklist
- Import permit issued by BAPHIQ (apply 2–4 weeks in advance)
- Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 30 days and not more than 1 year before travel
- Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by a government veterinarian
- Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip implantation
- Advance notice of arrival submitted to BAPHIQ at least 3 days before arrival
Rough budget
Approximate costs: microchip US$30–50, health certificate US$100–200, import permit application fee US$20–50, quarantine fees US$10–20 per day (7 days = US$70–140), plus airfare. Confirm current fees with BAPHIQ and a local vet; prices vary.
Rabies-free origins (e.g., UK, Japan, Australia, Singapore) still require an import permit and 7-day quarantine. The rabies vaccine must be given at least 30 days before travel; a booster within 12 months is acceptable. Taiwan does not recognize the EU pet passport; a separate BAPHIQ import permit is mandatory.
Minimum age: 3 months
Breed restrictions
Taiwan does not ban specific dog breeds for import, but brachycephalic breeds (e.g., pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers) may face airline restrictions due to respiratory risks during transport. Some airlines refuse to carry snub-nosed breeds in cargo. Check with your airline before booking. BAPHIQ does not impose breed-specific bans, but aggressive breeds may require additional behavioral assessment.
Documents checklist
- Import permit issued by BAPHIQ (apply 2–4 weeks in advance)
- Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 30 days and not more than 1 year before travel
- FAVN rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory, dated at least 90 days before travel
- Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by a government veterinarian
- Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip implantation
- Advance notice of arrival submitted to BAPHIQ at least 3 days before arrival
Rough budget
Approximate costs: microchip US$30–50, health certificate US$100–200, FAVN titer test US$100–250, import permit application fee US$20–50, quarantine fees US$10–20 per day (7 days = US$70–140), plus airfare. Confirm current fees with BAPHIQ and a local vet; prices vary.
Low-risk origins include the US, Canada, most of Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. The FAVN test must be done at a BAPHIQ-approved laboratory (e.g., Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory for the US). The 90-day wait after the titer test is strictly enforced; plan 4–6 months ahead.
Minimum age: 6 months
Breed restrictions
Taiwan does not ban specific dog breeds for import, but brachycephalic breeds (e.g., pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers) may face airline restrictions due to respiratory risks during transport. Some airlines refuse to carry snub-nosed breeds in cargo. Check with your airline before booking. BAPHIQ does not impose breed-specific bans, but aggressive breeds may require additional behavioral assessment.
Documents checklist
- Import permit issued by BAPHIQ (apply 2–4 weeks in advance)
- Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 30 days and not more than 1 year before travel
- FAVN rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory, dated at least 180 days before travel
- Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by a government veterinarian
- Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip implantation
- Advance notice of arrival submitted to BAPHIQ at least 3 days before arrival
Rough budget
Approximate costs: microchip US$30–50, health certificate US$100–200, FAVN titer test US$100–250, import permit application fee US$20–50, quarantine fees US$10–20 per day (21 days = US$210–420), plus airfare. Confirm current fees with BAPHIQ and a local vet; prices vary.
High-risk origins include Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. The 180-day titer wait plus 21-day quarantine means a minimum of 7–8 months of preparation. Taiwan may deny entry if the dog is not microchipped before rabies vaccination; the microchip must be implanted first.
Frequently asked questions
Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Taiwan.
Minimum age: 3 months
Documents checklist
- ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
- Rabies vaccination certificate (inactivated vaccine, valid 1 or 3 years)
- Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
Rough budget
Rough estimates only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and BAPHIQ.
For cats from Taiwan-recognized rabies-free countries/territories (e.g., UK, Sweden, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland). No titer test, import permit, or quarantine if all documents are complete. Verify the current rabies-free list with BAPHIQ.
Minimum age: 3 months
Documents checklist
- ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
- Rabies vaccination certificate (inactivated vaccine, valid 1 or 3 years)
- FAVN rabies titer test report (≥0.5 IU/ml, at least 180 days before arrival)
- Import permit from Taiwan BAPHIQ
- Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
Rough budget
Rough estimates only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, import permit ~$20–50, quarantine ~$20–30 per day (7 days = ~$140–210). Confirm current prices with a local vet and BAPHIQ.
For most countries with controlled rabies status but not on Taiwan's rabies-free list (e.g., USA, Canada, most of Europe). A 7-day quarantine is standard even with complete documents. Check BAPHIQ for current country classifications.
Minimum age: 3 months
Documents checklist
- ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate
- Rabies vaccination certificate (inactivated vaccine, valid 1 or 3 years)
- FAVN rabies titer test report (≥0.5 IU/ml, at least 180 days before arrival)
- Import permit from Taiwan BAPHIQ
- Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
Rough budget
Rough estimates only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, import permit ~$20–50, quarantine ~$20–30 per day (180 days = ~$3,600–5,400; 7 days = ~$140–210 if reduced). Confirm current prices with a local vet and BAPHIQ.
For countries with high rabies risk (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East). Quarantine is 180 days unless a valid titer test is presented, in which case it may be reduced to 7 days at BAPHIQ discretion. Start the titer test process at least 7 months before travel.
Frequently asked questions
Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Taiwan.
Minimum age: 3 months
Documents checklist
- Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, with microchip number)
- Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the exporting country's national veterinary authority
- Import permit issued by Taiwan's Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ)
- Proof of microchip implantation (ISO 11784/11785)
- Photocopy of pet owner's passport
- Completed application form for import permit
Rough budget
Rough estimate only, not a guaranteed price: microchip ~$30–50, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, health certificate ~$100–200, import permit application fee ~$20–50, quarantine fees ~$10–20 per day (7 days = ~$70–140). Total roughly $250–500. Confirm current fees with BAPHIQ and a local vet.
Ferrets are classified as 'carnivores other than dogs and cats' under Taiwan's animal import regulations. A 7-day quarantine is mandatory even from rabies-free countries. Apply for the import permit at least 2 weeks before arrival. Transport must be in an IATA-compliant carrier; check transit rules for connecting flights.
Minimum age: 3 months
Documents checklist
- Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, with microchip number)
- FAVN rabies titer test report from an approved laboratory (result ≥0.5 IU/ml, blood drawn ≥90 days before arrival)
- Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the exporting country's national veterinary authority
- Import permit issued by Taiwan's Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ)
- Proof of microchip implantation (ISO 11784/11785)
- Photocopy of pet owner's passport
- Completed application form for import permit
Rough budget
Rough estimate only, not a guaranteed price: microchip ~$30–50, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, FAVN titer test ~$100–250 (plus shipping to lab), health certificate ~$100–200, import permit application fee ~$20–50, quarantine fees ~$10–20 per day (7 days = ~$70–140). Total roughly $350–700. Confirm current fees with BAPHIQ and a local vet.
Ferrets from low-risk countries require a rabies titer test, adding at least 90 days of lead time before travel. Start the process at least 4–6 months in advance. Quarantine remains 7 days. Transport must be in an IATA-compliant carrier; check transit rules for connecting flights.
Minimum age: 3 months
Documents checklist
- Rabies vaccination certificate (valid, with microchip number)
- FAVN rabies titer test report from an approved laboratory (result ≥0.5 IU/ml, blood drawn ≥180 days before arrival)
- Official veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the exporting country's national veterinary authority
- Import permit issued by Taiwan's Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ)
- Proof of microchip implantation (ISO 11784/11785)
- Photocopy of pet owner's passport
- Completed application form for import permit
Rough budget
Rough estimate only, not a guaranteed price: microchip ~$30–50, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, FAVN titer test ~$100–250 (plus shipping to lab), health certificate ~$100–200, import permit application fee ~$20–50, quarantine fees ~$10–20 per day (21 days = ~$210–420). Total roughly $500–1000. Confirm current fees with BAPHIQ and a local vet.
Ferrets from high-risk countries face the strictest rules: 180-day wait after the titer test and 21-day quarantine. Start the process at least 8–10 months in advance. Transport must be in an IATA-compliant carrier; check transit rules for connecting flights. No exceptions for emotional support animals.
Frequently asked questions
Good to know
Taiwan's Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ), under the Ministry of Agriculture, administers dog imports. Dogs must enter through Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) or Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH). Advance notice of arrival is required at least 3 days before travel. Origin countries are categorized as rabies-free, low-risk (controlled rabies), or high-risk (rabies-endemic). A maximum of 5 dogs per passenger is allowed under non-commercial rules; more than 5 requires a commercial import license.
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 Taiwan, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).