Country entry guide · Asia
Traveling to China with your dog
Mainland China runs its own national pet-entry scheme through the General Administration of Customs (GACC) — it is not part of the EU system. Each traveller may bring only one dog (or one cat) per entry, and the dog needs an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an official quarantine and vaccination certificate from the exit country. The key question is where your dog is coming from: dogs from GACC-designated countries or regions, and dogs from other countries carrying a valid rabies antibody test, are released after an on-site check, while dogs without a valid antibody test face 30 days of isolation quarantine on arrival. This guide explains each path so you know exactly what to prepare before you book your flight.
📋 At a glance
| Dogs allowed | Yes — one pet per person per entry |
| Microchip | Required |
| Rabies vaccination | Required |
| Rabies antibody test | Conditional — non-designated origins, to avoid quarantine |
| Veterinary certificate | Required — official quarantine & vaccination certificate |
| Quarantine | 30 days unless exempt |
⚠️ Important
- MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
- Only a veterinarian can confirm the exact procedure for your individual dog.
- Requirements depend on: the country of origin, previous travel history, identification, vaccinations, the itinerary and the travel date.
Always consult your veterinarian before booking your trip.
Find a flight to China
🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided
- 1 Country of destination — China★★★★★
- 2 Country of departure★★★★★
- 3 Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆
✅ Entry requirements
| Requirement | Required? | Exceptions | Official reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| One pet per person | Required | Multiple pets require a licensed agent and different rules. | GACC Announcement [2019] No. 5, Art. I |
| ISO microchip | Required | If the chip is not ISO-standard, bring a compatible scanner. | GACC Announcement [2019] No. 5, Art. I |
| Rabies vaccination | Required | Assistance dogs without a vaccination certificate may be vaccinated at a qualified institution on the carrier's application. | GACC Announcement [2019] No. 5, Art. I & III |
| Rabies antibody test | Conditional | Not required from GACC-designated countries or regions. | GACC Announcement [2019] No. 5, Art. II(2) |
| Official quarantine & vaccination certificate | Required | Missing or invalid certificates lead to return or disposal of the pet. | GACC Announcement [2019] No. 5, Art. I & III |
| Import permit / advance notification | Generally not required | Some visa categories or agents may require additional documents. | GACC Announcement [2019] No. 5 |
| Designated port of entry | Required | Exempt pets may enter through other ports, but confirm the current GACC list. | GACC Announcement [2019] No. 5, Art. II & III |
| On-arrival quarantine | 30 days unless exempt | Exempt: designated-country pets, or non-designated pets with a valid antibody test, that pass the on-site quarantine; also qualified assistance dogs. | GACC Announcement [2019] No. 5, Art. II |
| Assistance dogs (guide / hearing / search-and-rescue) | Special path | Assistance dogs without a vaccination certificate may be vaccinated on arrival on application. | GACC Announcement [2019] No. 5, Art. II(3) & III |
| Parasite (tick / tapeworm) treatment | Recommended, not mandatory | Confirm any additional treatments with your vet. | GACC Announcement [2019] No. 5 |
| Minimum age / puppies | Not specified | Unknown — confirm with the destination customs district for very young puppies. | GACC Announcement [2019] No. 5 |
🗓 In what order, and when
Some steps only count once the previous one is done — check each deadline against the official reference above.
- One pet per personLimited to one dog or one cat per person per entry; more is treated as a commercial import.
- ISO microchipThe pet must carry an electronic chip; an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit chip is the standard.
- Rabies vaccinationValid rabies vaccination attested by the exit country's official authority; China does not recognise multi-year vaccines.
- Rabies antibody testNon-designated origins: report from a GACC-designated laboratory with an antibody level above 0.5 IU/ml, to be exempt from the 30-day quarantine.
- Official quarantine & vaccination certificateIssued by the official animal quarantine authority of the exit country or region; identifies the pet and its microchip.
- Import permit / advance notificationNo import permit for one accompanied pet on a short-term visa; unaccompanied or commercial imports have separate rules.
- Designated port of entryAny pet that may need isolation must enter through a port equipped with isolation and quarantine facilities (list set by GACC).
- On-arrival quarantine30 days of isolation at a customs-designated facility (withholding period included), unless the pet qualifies for exemption.
- Assistance dogs (guide / hearing / search-and-rescue)May be exempt from isolation with a valid microchip plus user and professional-training certificates, on passing on-site quarantine.
- Parasite (tick / tapeworm) treatmentGACC does not mandate a tapeworm treatment; treating against ticks and worms before travel is good practice.
- Minimum age / puppiesGACC's announcement sets no explicit minimum age; a valid rabies vaccination is nonetheless required.
🌍 The different cases
Designated country/region — no isolation
A dog coming from a GACC-designated country or region needs a valid electronic microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and the official quarantine and vaccination certificate from the exit authority. No rabies antibody test is required: if the dog passes the on-site quarantine at the port, it is released without the 30-day isolation. The list of designated countries/regions is set by GACC and can change — verify it before you travel.
⏱ Designated country/region: a few weeks — microchip, valid rabies vaccination and an official exit certificate; no blood test and no isolation quarantine.
Non-designated + rabies antibody test
From a non-designated country, add a rabies antibody test: a report from a GACC-designated laboratory showing an antibody level above 0.5 IU/ml. With the microchip, valid rabies vaccination, official exit certificate and this test, and after passing the on-site quarantine, the dog is exempt from the 30-day isolation. Plan ahead: the blood test and its processing take time.
⏱ Non-designated country with a rabies antibody test: about 1–3 months — allow time for the blood test at a GACC-designated laboratory (result ≥0.5 IU/ml).
No valid antibody test — 30-day quarantine
A dog from a non-designated country without a valid rabies antibody test is placed in isolation quarantine for 30 days (withholding period included) at a customs-designated facility, and must enter through a port equipped with quarantine facilities. The owner bears all costs. If the quota, certificates or port conditions are not met, customs may return or dispose of the pet.
⏱ No valid antibody test: add 30 days of isolation quarantine on arrival, at a port equipped with quarantine facilities, at the owner's expense.
🛬 Arrival
What happens when your dog reaches China depends on its classification and your documents.
- Enter through a port with isolation and quarantine facilities if your dog may need quarantine; the list of such ports is published by GACC.
- Declare the pet to Customs (red channel) and present the microchip, rabies vaccination certificate, official quarantine certificate and, if applicable, the rabies antibody test report.
- Customs carries out an on-site quarantine check; dogs that qualify for exemption are released, others are held for 30 days of isolation.
- Only one dog or one cat per person is accepted; exceeding the quota triggers return or disposal of the extra pet.
- If certificates are missing or invalid, or the dog fails the on-site check, customs may return the pet within a set period or dispose of it — at the owner's expense.
🛫 Leaving the country (return trip)
China is non-listed, so a valid rabies antibody titer is mandatory to return to the EU — plus an exit quarantine certificate from Customs (GACC).
- ⚠️ Start before you leave Anticipate the rabies antibody titer: blood test in an EU-approved lab, at least 30 days after vaccination — a valid result is essential to re-enter the EU and cannot be arranged at the last minute.
- On site, before the flight GACC (Customs) at the exit port carries out the quarantine inspection and issues the exit health certificate; the dog must be microchipped and rabies-vaccinated between 30 days and 12 months before travel.
🚫 Restricted dogs
China sets no national breed ban for importing pet dogs — dogs and cats are admitted as pets under customs rules. However, many Chinese cities restrict large or so-called 'fierce' dogs locally, so a dog you may legally import can still be barred from being kept in a given city.
City-level bans: Beijing, for example, prohibits keeping dogs taller than about 35 cm at the shoulder in its central management districts and lists dozens of large breeds; Shanghai and Chengdu publish their own lists of restricted 'fierce' breeds (mastiff types, pit bull / Staffordshire types, Rottweiler and similar). These are local dog-keeping rules, not import rules.
These municipal lists vary from city to city and are updated periodically. Confirm the current rules with the local public-security bureau or dog-registration authority of your destination city before you travel.
A dog that clears customs may still be un-keepable in a particular city because of its breed or size. Always check the destination city's list, not only the national import scheme.
✈️ Airlines flying to China with a dog
Carriers we document that serve this country and accept dogs. The verdict is the airline's general policy — it does not prejudge your breed, your crate or your exact route.
+36 more documented airlines accept dogs to this country. 2 carriers serving this country are not listed here: refusal or undocumented pet policy. See all airlines →
🛂 Airports in China
Check where your dog can relieve itself at each airport — and whether it's before or after security.
China with a dog: common questions
China: What does my dog need to enter?
China requires: One pet per person, ISO microchip, Rabies vaccination, Official quarantine & vaccination certificate, Designated port of entry.
China: Is a rabies antibody test required?
China — Rabies antibody test: Conditional. Non-designated origins: report from a GACC-designated laboratory with an antibody level above 0.5 IU/ml, to be exempt from the 30-day quarantine.
China: Are any dog breeds banned?
China sets no national breed ban for importing pet dogs — dogs and cats are admitted as pets under customs rules. However, many Chinese cities restrict large or so-called 'fierce' dogs locally, so a dog you may legally import can still be barred from being kept in a given city.
China: How long does it take to prepare a dog?
Designated country/region: a few weeks — microchip, valid rabies vaccination and an official exit certificate; no blood test and no isolation quarantine. No valid antibody test: add 30 days of isolation quarantine on arrival, at a port equipped with quarantine facilities, at the owner's expense.
China: Do domestic flights have the same requirements?
Domestic flight in China: this is the strictest domestic regime of all — a per-animal quarantine certificate is mandatory by law. The Animal Epidemic Prevention Law requires a quarantine certificate for every animal moved by air; without it the carrier may not accept the dog.…
China: What is needed to leave with a dog?
China is non-listed, so a valid rabies antibody titer is mandatory to return to the EU — plus an exit quarantine certificate from Customs (GACC).
China: Is it difficult to travel there with a dog?
China — Moderate — difficult without a rabies antibody test. MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
Answers drawn from the official sources listed below; entry information last verified 11 July 2026. Rules change — confirm with the authorities of China and your vet before booking.