Official Import Rules
China has strict and recently updated pet import rules. Only ONE dog or dog per person. Requirements: ISO microchip, rabies vaccination, and for pets from non-designated countries, a rabies titer test (≥0.5 IU/ml) from a GACC-approved laboratory. The health certificate must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 14 days of arrival and electronically endorsed via USDA-APHIS VEHCS (for US-origin pets). No separate Chinese embassy/consulate authentication is required under current US-to-China rules; this step may apply to some other countries of origin. GACC maintains an official list of exactly 19 designated countries/regions whose pets are exempt from the titer test requirement: New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii (US only), Guam (US only), Jamaica, Iceland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong (China), and Macao (China). The continental United States and EU member states not specifically named on this list are classified as non-designated countries — pets from these origins must provide a passing titer test to avoid the 30-day quarantine. Pets with a valid titer test (≥0.5 IU/ml) are exempt from quarantine. GACC does not impose any mandatory waiting period after a satisfactory titer result; the titer result is valid for up to one year from the blood sampling date and no 180-day post-titer wait is required. Travelers may enter China at any point within the 12-month validity window of their titer result, provided all other requirements are met. Blood for the titer test may be drawn on the same day as, or any day after, the second rabies vaccination — there is no mandatory 30-day wait after vaccination before the blood draw. Rabies vaccination must be administered no more than 12 months prior to arrival. The minimum age for import is 30 days. Pets meeting all requirements (microchip, two rabies vaccinations, valid titer test, health certificate) may enter through ANY port without quarantine. Only pets that do NOT meet all requirements must enter through designated quarantine-equipped ports — otherwise the pet will be euthanized or returned.
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Turn these rules into your dog's step-by-step planCabin/cargo call, breed check, crate size and paperwork timing.Medical Roadmap
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip fitted before the rabies vaccination. The microchip number must match every certificate.
Rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination must be valid before travel. Most routes require at least 21 days after a primary vaccination.
Health certificate or pet passport
Use an EU pet passport where accepted, or a government-endorsed animal health certificate for this route.
Rabies titer test
Build in the approved-lab antibody test and any mandatory waiting period before booking the flight.
Travel day
Carry originals, confirm airline pet acceptance, and keep the official authority page saved offline.
Breed & Public-Space Rules
Breed restrictions
The binding rules are municipal, not national: many cities (including central Beijing districts) ban dogs over ~35 cm shoulder height and keep banned-breed lists covering most large and guard breeds; one-dog-per-household rules exist in several cities. For a relocation, the destination city's dog-registration rules matter more than the import rules.
Muzzle & leash laws
City-level leash laws are strict; large permitted dogs may face muzzle and time-of-day walking restrictions.
Flying In: Cabin, Hold or Cargo
One pet per passenger via the single-pet quarantine-free channel when fully compliant (microchip + titer from designated countries); non-compliant arrivals face quarantine. Cabin arrival depends on the airline — most route dogs as cargo.
Cost Breakdown
Quarantine Information
30 days if titer test requirements are not met; waived entirely for pets arriving with a valid titer test (≥0.5 IU/ml from a GACC-approved lab) and all other required documentation
City & Housing Notes
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen have good vet care. China's pet industry is booming, with pet ownership rising rapidly in major cities. Many expat-oriented vet clinics operate in first-tier cities. Dog registration is required with local police; dogs have fewer restrictions.
Vets & Health After Arrival
Major cities have excellent international-standard vet clinics, some with English-speaking staff. Outside tier-1 cities, quality drops significantly. China has a growing pet healthcare industry. Rabies remains a concern in rural areas.
Leaving China With Your Dog
Exit requires an Animal Health Certificate from the local Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (CIQ). Apply at least 7 days before departure. The certificate requires a physical examination of the dog within 7 days of travel. Additional requirements depend on the destination country.
Videos & Route Walkthroughs
Use videos as lived-experience context, not as legal authority. Search for recent dog-owner route reports, airport collection walkthroughs, crate-loading examples and relocation-agent explainers, then verify every rule against the official source above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid the 30-day quarantine?
Yes. Pets arriving with a valid rabies antibody titer test (≥0.5 IU/ml from a GACC-approved lab), along with all other required documentation, are exempt from quarantine entirely. Pets from the 19 GACC-designated countries/regions (such as New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Singapore, the UK, and specific US territories including Hawaii and Guam) may be exempt from the titer test requirement altogether. Note that the continental United States and most EU member states are NOT on the designated list, so pets from those origins must provide a passing titer test to avoid the 30-day quarantine.
How many pets can I bring?
Only one dog or one dog per person per entry. If you have multiple dogs, each must be accompanied by a separate adult passenger.
Which labs does China accept for titer tests?
GACC maintains a list of approved laboratories worldwide. In the US, Kansas State University and Auburn University are commonly used. Check the current GACC approved lab list before testing.
Community Tips & Nearby Routes
Community reports are useful for practical details such as which cargo desk answers the phone, how long collection took, or whether a landlord asked for insurance. Treat them as tips, then verify rules with the authority and airline.