Moving Pets to China

Moving a pet to or from China is manageable, but the process has more moving parts than most destinations. The critical thing to understand upfront: China offers two distinct entry paths for dogs and cats, and which path your pet takes determines whether they clear customs the same day or spend 30 days in a government quarantine facility. That decision is made before you leave, not at the airport.

Two Ways to Enter China

China classifies origin countries as designated or non-designated. That classification, combined with your pet's documentation, determines which entry path applies. Pets from non-designated countries, including the United States, can still avoid quarantine, but only if they have a passing rabies titer test in addition to the other required documents.

Pets that arrive without meeting full requirements must enter through one of a specific list of designated ports and complete a 30-day quarantine. Pets that arrive at a non-designated port without meeting full requirements will be returned to the United States or euthanized. This is not a situation where a missing document can be sorted out on arrival.

The No Quarantine Path: What Your Pet Needs

To enter China at any port without quarantine, your dog or cat must meet all of the following:

• Two lifetime rabies vaccinations, with the current vaccination valid at the time of arrival in China
• ISO-compliant microchip (15-digit). If your pet has a non-ISO chip, you must travel with a compatible reader
• Rabies titer test showing at least 0.5 IU/mL, performed at one of the USDA/GACC-approved US laboratories, on the same day or after the second rabies vaccination. The titer result is valid for up to one year from the sampling date
• USDA-endorsed health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 14 days of arrival in China, submitted through VEHCS for digital endorsement
• One pet per traveler. The traveler's name on the health certificate must match their passport exactly

On arrival, present the pet, all original documents, a printed photo of the pet on regular paper, and a photocopy of your passport to the GACC office at the airport. The original rabies vaccine certificate and titer report will be collected by Chinese customs officials -- travel with photocopies of both.

Pets from Hawaii and Guam are exempt from the titer test requirement and follow a separate set of guidelines.

The health certificate for China must be submitted through USDA's VEHCS system specifically. A separately submitted paper certificate is not accepted for this destination.

What Trips People Up Most

The most common problems are straightforward ones: a microchip that cannot be read at the port, a missing or expired health certificate, rabies paperwork that doesn't line up with the certificate dates, or a titer test from a laboratory that China doesn't recognize. The approved lab list is specific, confirm your vet is using one of the USDA/GACC approved US laboratories before scheduling the blood draw. Any of these issues on arrival means quarantine or worse, with no opportunity to fix it in the moment.

The other common issue is assuming every city handles things the same way after arrival. Local registration requirements and breed restrictions vary, and some cities are stricter than others. Check city level rules for your specific destination before you land.

The Quarantine Path

If your pet cannot meet all of the requirements above, most commonly because they lack a current titer test, they can still enter China, but only through one of the designated entry ports and after completing a 30-day stay at a GACC quarantine facility.

Designated ports include major international airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Urumqi, among others. Confirm the current designated port list with GACC or your logistics coordinator before booking travel, as the list is subject to change.

Chinese Customs must be notified of your pet's arrival in advance of travel regardless of which entry path applies. Quarantine facilities are supervised by GACC staff. Dogs are exercised regularly, and any pet showing clinical symptoms during the stay will receive examination and testing before release. Because handling and owner access can vary by port and facility, confirm the specifics for your arrival port before travel.

Moving Multiple Pets

China strictly enforces a one pet per traveler rule. If you have more than one dog or cat, you have two main options: have another adult traveler accompany the second pet with their own passport, or route pets through Hong Kong, which has its own separate import rules and may allow different arrangements. The right approach depends on where in China you are relocating and the specific routing available, this is worth working through with your relocation manager before booking anything.

Local Requirements After Arrival

Dogs must be registered with the local police at your place of residence within one month of arrival in China. The process varies by city, contact your local police office for current registration requirements.

Many major Chinese cities also maintain their own breed restrictions, separate from national import rules. Cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu restrict or prohibit certain breeds within city limits. If your dog's breed could raise questions, check with local authorities or your relocation manager for your specific destination city before travel.

Leaving China with a Pet

Exporting a pet from China is generally less complex than importing, but it still needs planning. China customs handles the export health certificate process, your agent or vet coordinator should initiate the application well before your departure date, as the process now runs through an online customs platform and requires a scheduled inspection appointment before the certificate is issued.

Documents typically required for export include your passport, rabies vaccination records, and rabies titer results, plus whatever documentation your destination country requires. The destination country usually drives the medical timeline; China customs drives the export certificate. Since these two timelines need to align, don't leave either to the last minute.

If you are bringing your dog back to the United States, the CDC's dog import requirements apply. Dogs vaccinated outside the US must meet specific documentation and microchip requirements under rules that took effect in August 2024. Plan for this before you leave China, not on arrival in the US.

How PetRelocation Can Help

Complete Support: We handle documentation coordination, health certificate timing, USDA endorsement, approved lab confirmation for the titer test, airline booking, GACC notification, and customs clearance coordination -- including making sure your pet is on the right entry path before departure.

Vet Paperwork Support: We guide your vet through the VEHCS health certificate process and USDA endorsement steps. You manage travel and arrival logistics independently.

Consultation: A session to map out your pet's specific situation, including which entry path applies, what documentation is still needed, and how to sequence the steps before your move date.

China moves are one of the more document-sensitive routes we handle. The margin for error at the airport is small. If you want to confirm your pet's current status and build a timeline, contact PetRelocation to start planning.