Moving to Hong Kong with pets can be a daunting experience. Hong Kong’s pet import requirements are one of the toughest in the world!
When considering how hard it is to move to Hong Kong with pets, one should also be aware that bringing pets to Hong Kong is super expensive!
Our team at Pets2Fly produced a pet relocation guide that covers everything you need to know about bringing a dog/cat to Hong Kong.
Dogs and cats must be implanted with an AVID or ISO microchip.
Once the pet arrives in Hong Kong, if the microchip cannot be found or read, the importer/owner must provide his own microchip scanner.
If the microchip can’t be verified, the pet will be returned to the country of origin (at the expense of the importer/owner).
Dogs and entering Hong Kong must be fully vaccinated against: Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus.
Cats entering Hong Kong must be fully vaccinated against: Feline Panleukopenia (infectious enteritis) and Cat Flu.
Both dogs and cats must be vaccinated against the above at least 14 days and not more than 1 year before entering Hong Kong.
Dogs and cats from Group 1 and Group 3 don’t need to vaccinated against rabies. It is, however, recommend to vaccinate against rabies if your pet is coming from a Group 3 country.
Dogs and cats from Group 2 must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days and not more than 1 year before the flight date.
Dogs and cats don’t need to pass a rabies antibody blood test to enter Hong Kong.
However, if you would like to import a Disability Assistance Dog, a rabies antibody will be needed.
The test should be performed at least 6 months before entering Hong Kong. The result must be 0.5 IU/ml or greater and are valid for 12 months.
Not more than 14 days before export, dogs/cats must pass a health check.
The health certificate should be endorsed by a government vet.
Dogs and cats can only enter Hong Kong with a “Special Permit”.
The permit should be obtained in advance from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong.
Please note that it requires at least 3 working days to process the application.
Once the Special Permit is given, it is valid for 6 months.
The following dog breeds can’t be imported into Hong Kong:
Dogs mixed with one of these breeds are also prohibited.
If you have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a statutory declaration must be submitted to the authorities in Hong Kong.
In general, Bengal cats (and their crossbreeds) can’t be imported into Hong Kong. If you would like to import a Bengal cat, please contact the authorities in Hong Kong so that they could advise what documents are required.
Dogs and cats must enter Hong Kong only as manifest cargo.
Pets can’t enter as excess luggage or in cabin.
If you are disabled, and if your dog is accompanying you, you may ask for an approval to take your dog with you in cabin.
The importer/owner must notify the authorities at least 24 hours before the pet’s arrival.
Dogs/cats imported from Group 3 countries will need to be placed in quarantine for at least 4 months (120 days).
If deemed necessary, dogs and cats from Group 1 and Group 2 may be placed in quarantine.
Pet owners should book a place in quarantine as soon as possible because the quarantine facilities are mostly fully booked months in advance!
Group 1: Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand and the UK.
Group 2: Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Brunei, Canada, Cayman Island, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Guam, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Netherlands, Norway, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, USA, Vanuatu and Virgin Islands.
Group 3: Countries that are not listed above.
Here are some frequently asked questions about importing a pet into Hong Kong:
Question #1: How can I take my dog to Hong Kong?
Just follow the guide on this page and make sure to double check everything each step of the way!
Question #2: Is Hong Kong pet friendly?
There are many places that are, while there are also plenty of places that aren’t.
Question #3: My dog won’t survive 4 months in quarantine. What can I do?
The quarantine facility in Hong Kong is one of the best in the world.
If you think your dog won’t handle it, we recommend you think carefully before you relocate with your pet to Hong Kong.
Question #4: I have a mixed Pitbull. Can you help me import him to Hong Kong?
Unfortunately, we won’t be able to assist. Pitbulls can’t be imported into Hong Kong.
Question #5: Is the rabies titer test needed to import a dog into Hong Kong?
This may sound strange, but a rabies titer test isn’t needed to import a dog into Hong Kong, no matter where your dog is coming from.
Planning a pet relocation to Hong Kong will require you to follow the import requirements listed above.
Everything must be done correctly as the welfare of your furry family members is just as important as that of any other family member.
Bringing pets to Hong Kong can be quite confusing and frustrating.
Contact Pets2Fly now for assistance. You can be calm and confident that your pets will be in good hands!
We would love to hear from you!
