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Bringing a Dog or Cat to Hong Kong
Every dog or cat entering Hong Kong needs a Special Permit from the AFCD before you book travel, and must arrive as manifested cargo. Pets from Group I places (such as the UK, Ireland, Japan and Australia) and Group II countries (such as the continental US, Canada and most of Western Europe) avoid quarantine with a microchip, the required vaccines, 180 days' residence and a health certificate dated within 14 days of export. Pets from other countries face 30 or 120 days of quarantine.
Requirements at a glance
| Special Permit | From AFCD before booking; 5 working days to process; valid 6 months; HK$432 for the first animal, HK$102 per extra animal |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO or AVID; the number must match the certificate |
| Rabies vaccine | Group II: 30 days to 1 year before export, first shot at 90+ days old. Not required from Group I |
| Core vaccines | Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus. Cats: panleucopaenia, cat flu. 14 days to 1 year before export |
| Residence | Lived in the departure country for the 180 days before export, or since birth |
| Health certificate | Dated within 14 days before export; signed or endorsed by a government vet |
| Arrival | Manifested cargo only; notify AFCD at least 24 hours before arrival |
| Quarantine | None for compliant Group I and II pets; at least 30 days (Group IIIA) or 120 days (Group IIIB) |
| Plan ahead | At least 1 month from Group I or II |
Step-by-step timeline
- 180 days beforeCheck your country's group on the AFCD site. Pets must have lived there for the 180 days before export, or since birth.
- 30+ days beforeGroup II: rabies vaccine at least 30 days and at most 1 year before export (a 3-year vaccine still counts for 1 year only). Core vaccines at least 14 days before export.
- Weeks beforeApply for the Special Permit with form AF240. Processing takes 5 working days after AFCD receives the application and fee. Do not book flights until it is issued.
- 14 days beforeHealth certificate from a government vet, or from a private vet with government endorsement (USDA APHIS in the US).
- 24 hours beforeNotify AFCD's Import & Export Section of the arrival time.
- ArrivalYour pet arrives as manifested cargo at Hong Kong International Airport. Dogs 5 months or older are licensed and vaccinated against rabies on arrival, at the owner's cost.
Dogs vs cats
Dogs and cats follow the same steps but need different core vaccines. Pets from Group II must be at least 5 months old, and from Group I at least 60 days old. The Pit Bull Terrier (American Staffordshire Terrier), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and their crosses cannot be imported, and Bengal cats need proof of 5th generation or later.
Common mistakes
- Booking flights before the permit is issued. AFCD says final travel arrangements should wait for the permit.
- Flying your pet in the cabin or as excess baggage. Only manifested cargo is accepted, apart from approved assistance dogs.
- A microchip number that differs from the certificate. The pet is then not eligible for import.
- Stopping over in a lower-group country without approval. The route must be the fastest and most direct.
Official source: AFCD: import of dogs and cats
Other destinations
🇪🇺 EU🇬🇧 UK🇺🇸 US🇨🇦 Canada🇯🇵 Japan🇦🇺 Australia🌺 Hawaii🇳🇿 New Zealand🇸🇬 Singapore🇹🇭 Thailand🇵🇭 Philippines🇮🇩 Indonesia & Bali🇲🇽 Mexico🇨🇷 Costa Rica🇮🇪 Ireland🇰🇷 South Korea🇦🇪 UAE🇨🇳 China🇮🇳 India
Frequently asked questions
Is there quarantine for dogs entering Hong Kong?
Not for compliant pets from Group I or Group II, such as the UK, the continental US and Canada. Pets that do not comply face at least 4 months of quarantine or are returned. Group IIIA pets need at least 30 days and Group IIIB pets at least 120 days.
Can my dog fly in the cabin to Hong Kong?
No. Dogs and cats must arrive as manifested cargo. Only approved disability assistance dogs can travel in the cabin, with AFCD approval in advance.
How long does the Hong Kong pet permit take?
5 working days from when AFCD receives the application and fee, plus mailing time. The permit is valid for 6 months.
Does a dog from the US need a rabies titer test for Hong Kong?
No. The continental US is in Group II, which needs a rabies vaccine 30 days to 1 year before export but no antibody test.
Sources
Rules change. Always confirm with the official source above and your vet before you travel or change a vaccine plan.