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In This Guide
TLDR: Dogs and cats entering Hong Kong from Continental USA (Group II) need an AFCD Special Permit (Form AF240 + Form UN110) before any travel is booked, a rabies vaccination between 30 days and 1 year before departure, species-specific vaccinations, and a USDA health certificate (VC-DC2) issued within 14 days of departure. One pet per health certificate. Most compliant pets from Group II skip quarantine entirely.
Bringing a pet to Hong Kong requires an import permit before you do anything else, including booking flights. Miss that step and every other part of the process gets more complicated. Here's what your dog or cat needs from the US.
Microchip and Vaccinations
Start at least 30 days before your planned departure date.
All pets entering Hong Kong must be microchipped before import. Hong Kong now accepts ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15 digit microchips, which AFCD adopted as its standard on August 1, 2025. An AVID 9 digit chip may not be readable by the universal scanners used at the border. If a pet arrives with a microchip that does not meet Hong Kong's identification requirements, a conforming chip will be implanted on arrival at the permittee's expense. Have the microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination, since a chip placed after the vaccine can invalidate the vaccination record for travel.
Rabies Vaccination
All dogs and cats need an original rabies certificate stating the microchip number, date of vaccination, and validity period. The rabies vaccine must be administered at least 30 days and no more than 1 year before departure. The minimum age for the primary rabies vaccination is 90 days.
Dog Vaccinations
Dogs must be vaccinated against Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, and Canine Parvovirus. These vaccines must be administered at least 14 days and no more than 1 year before arrival. A complete vaccination history for these vaccines must be attached to the health certificate.
Cat Vaccinations
Cats must be vaccinated against Feline Panleukopaenia (Feline Infectious Enteritis) and Feline Respiratory Disease Complex, including Feline herpesvirus and Feline calicivirus. These vaccines must be administered at least 14 days and no more than 1 year before arrival. A complete vaccination history must be attached to the health certificate.
Import Permit: Apply Before You Book Travel
An AFCD Special Permit is required before your pet can enter or transit Hong Kong. Do not book flights or cargo until the permit is in hand.
To apply, submit Form AF240 and Form UN110 (Declaration and Authorization Form) to AFCD, along with a copy of the applicant's HKID or passport. Applications can be submitted through the Trade Single Window or in person at the AFCD Permit and Certification Section, Counter No. 10, 5th Floor, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.
Fees: HK$432 for the first animal. HK$102 for each additional animal on the same permit for a single shipment. AFCD's stated minimum is 3 working days. Allow 5 working days to be safe. The permit is valid for 6 months from issue date and covers one consignment only.
Health Certificate
The health certificate for pets traveling from Continental USA is the USDA APHIS health certificate for pet dogs and cats from the Continental US (VC-DC2). It must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 14 days of departure and endorsed by a full-time salaried APHIS veterinary officer.
For the Continental US certificate, USDA now accepts digital signature and digital APHIS endorsement through VEHCS, so the endorsed certificate can be printed directly rather than waiting on a mailed original.
Only one pet may be listed per health certificate. Each animal requires its own certificate and its own permit application.
The health certificate must confirm: the animal has resided continuously in the USA for the preceding 180 days (or since birth), the area within 10 km of the premises has been free of reported rabies cases (excluding bats) during the preceding 180 days, and female animals are either not pregnant or less than 4 weeks pregnant.
Any amendments to the health certificate must be stamped and signed by the certifying authority, otherwise the certificate may be considered void.
USDA Endorsements
The following documents must be submitted to your local USDA-APHIS office for endorsement:
- Microchip implantation record
- Rabies certificate
- Vaccination records
- AFCD Special Permit
- USDA health certificate (VC-DC2)
Quarantine
Dogs and cats traveling from Continental USA (Group II) may enter Hong Kong without quarantine when all permit conditions are fully met. Animals that show clinical signs of disease, have a doubtful history, or present incomplete documentation may be placed in quarantine for up to 6 months at the owner's full expense.
Animals less than 5 months old at the time of import are subject to post-arrival quarantine until they reach 5 months of age. The effective minimum export age for Continental US pets is 5 months, since USDA will not sign the health certificate for any animal under 5 months regardless of AFCD's minimum of 60 days.
Breed Restrictions
The following dog breeds are prohibited from import or transshipment into Hong Kong:
- Pit Bull Terrier (also known as American Staffordshire Terrier)
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Crossbreeds of any of the above types
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not banned but requires a statutory declaration submitted with the permit application.
Bengal cats may only be imported if documentation confirms the cat is of 5th generation or above from wild ancestry. Generation documentation must accompany the permit application and health certificate.
How PetRelocation Can Help
Moving a pet to Hong Kong means coordinating the AFCD permit, species-specific vaccination timing, health certificate endorsement, and cargo logistics, all within a process where a single documentation gap can trigger up to 6 months of quarantine at your expense. PetRelocation has coordinated Hong Kong moves for over 20 years across all service levels.
Complete Support covers the full process including permit application, vet coordination, USDA endorsement, and cargo booking. Vet Paperwork Support focuses on the health certificate and vaccination documentation while you handle logistics. Consultation gives you direct access to a coordinator to work through your specific situation before committing.
Get a free quote from PetRelocation and a relocation manager will walk you through your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an import permit before booking my pet's flight to Hong Kong?
Yes. The AFCD Special Permit must be in hand before any travel arrangements are made. AFCD's stated minimum processing time is 3 working days; allow 5 working days to be safe after submitting your completed Form AF240, Form UN110, and permit fee.
What is the health certificate form for pets traveling from the Continental US?
The correct form is the USDA APHIS health certificate for pet dogs and cats from the Continental US (VC-DC2), issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 14 days of departure. USDA now accepts digital signature and digital APHIS endorsement through VEHCS.
Can I list both my pets on one health certificate?
No. Only one pet may be listed per health certificate. Each animal requires its own certificate and its own AFCD permit application.
What vaccinations do dogs need beyond rabies?
Dogs must be vaccinated against Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, and Canine Parvovirus, with records at least 14 days old and no more than 1 year before arrival.
What is the minimum age for a pet to travel to Hong Kong from the US?
The effective minimum is 5 months. While AFCD technically permits import from 60 days old, USDA will not sign the Continental US health certificate for any animal under 5 months, making
