Moving with Pets to Hong Kong! Quarantine & Import Pemits

TLDR: Whether your pet needs quarantine in Hong Kong depends on which country group it's coming from. Pets from Group I and Group II countries, including Continental USA, can skip quarantine when all permit conditions are fully met. Every pet needs an AFCD Special Permit (Form AF240 + Form UN110) before travel is booked. Allow 5 working days for processing. Disability Assistance Dogs from any country are exempt from quarantine but require one rabies antibody blood test performed at least 6 months before entry.

Hong Kong's two most common pet import questions are whether quarantine is required and how the import permit works. Here's the answer to both.

Is Quarantine Required?

It depends on where your pet is coming from. Hong Kong classifies origin countries into four groups based on their rabies status, and your group determines your quarantine situation.

Group I Countries

Dogs and cats from Group I countries are normally exempt from quarantine when all permit conditions are fully met. Group I includes the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Japan, and the Bailiwick of Jersey.

Group II Countries

Dogs and cats from Group II countries may also be exempt from quarantine, provided the animals comply fully with all permit conditions. Continental USA is a Group II country. Other examples include Canada, most of Western Europe such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, and Singapore. AFCD revises the group lists from time to time, so check the AFCD Group II page for the full current list.

Group IIIA Countries

Dogs and cats from Group IIIA countries are subject to a minimum 30-day quarantine and must pass a rabies neutralising antibody titer test (RNATT). Group IIIA includes Mainland China, Macao, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Group IIIB Countries

All countries and places not in Groups I, II, or IIIA fall into Group IIIB and are subject to a minimum 120-day (4-month) quarantine.

Do I Need an Import Permit?

Yes. Every dog or cat entering Hong Kong requires an AFCD Special Permit obtained in advance. Do not book flights or cargo until the permit is confirmed in hand.

How to Apply

Submit Form AF240 and Form UN110 (Declaration and Authorization Form) to AFCD, along with a copy of your HKID or passport and the permit fee. The fee is HK$432 for the first animal, with HK$102 for each additional animal on the same permit for a single shipment.

Applications can be submitted in person or by mail at: Permit Issuing Desk, Counter No. 10, 5th Floor, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Office hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:15pm. Closed Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays.

Overseas applicants may nominate a person or agent in Hong Kong to apply on their behalf.

Permit Fees and Payment

The permit fee of HK$432 for the first animal must be paid at the time of application. For local applications, crossed local cheques or e-payment are accepted. For overseas applications, fees must be paid by bank draft in Hong Kong currency drawn upon a licensed bank in Hong Kong, payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region."

Processing Time and Delivery

Allow 5 working days from the date AFCD receives the complete application and permit fee. Permits are delivered by ordinary mail locally or airmail for overseas applicants. Include a self-addressed envelope with your application. To avoid postal delays, permits can also be collected in person at the licensing office or by an appointed agent. Permits cannot be dispatched by fax.

Permit Validity

The permit is valid for 6 months from the issue date and covers one consignment only. Animals must be imported on or before the permit expiry date.

Disability Assistance Dogs (DADs)

AFCD provides a special policy for Disability Assistance Dogs. DADs are exempt from quarantine and from the standard 6-month residency requirement in the exporting country. This exemption applies to DADs imported from all countries.

To qualify, DADs must provide one rabies antibody blood test result performed at least 6 months before entry into Hong Kong. The test report must be submitted with the permit application.

Note that Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not classified as DADs under Hong Kong regulations and receive no special exemption. Standard import requirements, including the full permit process and any applicable quarantine, apply to ESAs.

How PetRelocation Can Help

Navigating Hong Kong's country group classification, permit process, and quarantine framework is straightforward when you know the rules, and costly when you don't. PetRelocation has handled Hong Kong relocations for over 20 years across all service levels, including DAD cases and returning-pet applications.

Complete Support covers the full process including permit application, vet coordination, health certificate and 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 confirm your pet's group classification, permit timeline, and quarantine situation before committing.

Get a free quote from PetRelocation and a relocation manager will walk you through your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my pet from the Continental USA need quarantine in Hong Kong?
Not if all permit conditions are fully met. Continental USA is a Group II country, and Group II pets are exempt from quarantine when documentation is complete and correct.

What forms do I need for the AFCD import permit?
Form AF240 and Form UN110 (Declaration and Authorization Form), submitted with a copy of your HKID or passport and the permit fee of HK$432 for the first animal.

How long does the AFCD permit take to process?
Allow 5 working days from the date AFCD receives the complete application and permit fee.

Are Disability Assistance Dogs exempt from quarantine in Hong Kong?
Yes. DADs from all countries are exempt from quarantine and the 6-month residency requirement, provided they have one rabies antibody blood test performed at least 6 months before entry. Emotional Support Animals are not classified as DADs and receive no exemption.

What happens if my pet's documents are incomplete on arrival?
Incomplete or incorrect documentation can trigger quarantine of up to 6 months at the owner's full expense, regardless of the pet's country of origin.