Country entry guide · Asia
Traveling to Hong Kong with your dog
Hong Kong welcomes dogs, but every dog needs a Special Permit issued in advance by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) before it can be brought in — no permit, no entry. What else you must prepare depends mainly on where your dog is coming from. AFCD sorts countries and places into groups by rabies risk: Group I (rabies-free places such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Japan) and Group II (most of Europe, the United States, Canada) allow entry without quarantine when the permit conditions are met. Group IIIA adds a rabies antibody test and a 30-day quarantine, and Group IIIB (all other places) requires a 120-day quarantine. This guide explains each case so you know exactly what to prepare before you book your flight.
📋 At a glance
| Dogs allowed | Yes — with a Special Permit |
| Special import permit | Always required (obtain before travel) |
| Microchip | Required |
| Rabies vaccination | Required for Group IIIA/IIIB origins |
| Rabies antibody test | Conditional — Group IIIA origins only |
| Veterinary certificate | Required |
| Quarantine | None (Group I/II); 30 days (IIIA); 120 days (IIIB) |
⚠️ 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 Hong Kong
🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided
- 1 Country of destination — Hong Kong★★★★★
- 2 Country of departure★★★★★
- 3 Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆
✅ Entry requirements
| Requirement | Required? | Exceptions | Official reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Permit (import/transit) | Required | No exceptions — no dog may be imported or transhipped without a permit. | Public Health (Animals & Birds) Ordinance Cap. 139; Rabies Ordinance Cap. 421; AFCD |
| Microchip | Required | The microchip number must appear on the vaccination and health documents. | AFCD permit terms DC-06 (Group IIIA) / DC-03 (Group IIIB) |
| Rabies vaccination | Group IIIA/IIIB | For Group I/II a pre-export rabies vaccination is not part of the standard procedure; dogs are vaccinated after arrival under Hong Kong licensing. | AFCD permit terms DC-06V03 |
| Rabies antibody test (RNATT) | Conditional | Not required for Group I, Group II or Group IIIB origins. | AFCD permit terms DC-06V03 |
| Vaccination against other diseases | Group IIIA/IIIB | See AFCD guideline G122 for the definition of full vaccination. | AFCD guideline G122; permit terms DC-03/DC-06 |
| Animal health certificate | Required | AFCD provides templates VC-DC1/DC2/DC3A/DC3B per group; the microchip number must appear on it. | AFCD forms VC-DC1/DC2/DC3A/DC3B |
| Advance notification | Group IIIA/IIIB | The permit itself must already be granted before travel is finalised. | AFCD Group IIIA/IIIB application procedure |
| Quarantine | Group IIIA/IIIB | A quarantine space must be booked in advance (recommended up to 12 months ahead). | AFCD permit terms DC-06 (IIIA) / DC-03 (IIIB) |
| Dog licence (after arrival) | Dogs over 5 months | — | Rabies Ordinance Cap. 421; AFCD dog licensing |
| Prohibited / restricted breeds | Applies | When in doubt about a breed, seek advice directly from AFCD before travel. | Dangerous Dogs Regulation Cap. 167 sub. leg. D, Schedule 1 |
🗓 In what order, and when
Some steps only count once the previous one is done — check each deadline against the official reference above.
- Special Permit (import/transit)Must be obtained from AFCD before travel; single consignment, valid 6 months. Fee HK$432 (first animal) + HK$102 each extra.
- MicrochipMust be readable by an AVID or ISO scanner; for Group IIIA/IIIB it must be implanted before rabies vaccination and blood sampling.
- Rabies vaccinationGroup IIIA: inactivated or recombinant vaccine 30 days to 1 year before export; primary shot at ≥90 days old.
- Rabies antibody test (RNATT)Group IIIA only: blood drawn 90 days to 1 year before export (≥30 days after a primary vaccination), FAVN or RFFIT at an AFCD-approved lab, result ≥0.5 IU/ml.
- Vaccination against other diseasesFull vaccination against canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis and canine parvovirus, 14 days to 1 year before export.
- Animal health certificateIssued by a government or registered vet in the exporting place; Group IIIA within 7 days of export and endorsed by a government vet; Group IIIB within 14 days.
- Advance notificationNotify the AFCD Duty Officer of the Import & Export Section at least 24 hours before the dog's arrival.
- QuarantineNone for Group I/II; minimum 30 days for Group IIIA; minimum 120 days for Group IIIB, in an AFCD Animal Management Centre or a licensed quarantine centre at the owner's expense.
- Dog licence (after arrival)All dogs over 5 months in Hong Kong must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies; done on arrival at the permittee's expense.
- Prohibited / restricted breedsPit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braziliero and their crossbreeds are banned; a Staffordshire Bull Terrier needs a statutory declaration.
🌍 Rules according to your dog's origin
Group I & II — no quarantine
From a Group I rabies-free place (Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan and others) or a Group II place (most of Europe, the United States, Canada and others), your dog is normally exempted from quarantine once the Special Permit conditions are met. You still need the permit, an animal health certificate on AFCD's form and full compliance with the permit terms. No rabies antibody test is required.
⏱ Group I & II: a few weeks — obtain the Special Permit (about 5 working days) plus the pre-export vaccinations and health certificate; no quarantine.
Group IIIA — antibody test + 30-day quarantine
From a Group IIIA place (Chinese Mainland, Macao, Malaysia, Thailand, Hungary, Lithuania), your dog needs a microchip, rabies vaccination, other core vaccinations and a satisfactory rabies antibody test (RNATT ≥0.5 IU/ml) with blood drawn 90 days to 1 year before export. A quarantine space must be booked and a minimum 30-day quarantine served on arrival.
⏱ Group IIIA: ~4–6 months — rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody test with blood drawn 90 days to 1 year before export, then a 30-day quarantine on arrival.
Group IIIB — 120-day quarantine
From any place not in Group I, II or IIIA, your dog needs a microchip, full core vaccinations and an animal health certificate, and must serve a minimum 120-day quarantine in an AFCD Animal Management Centre or a licensed centre at your expense. A quarantine space must be booked well in advance (up to 12 months) as places are limited.
⏱ Group IIIB: several months to over a year — a quarantine space must be booked well ahead, followed by a minimum 120-day quarantine on arrival.
🛬 Arrival
What happens when your dog reaches Hong Kong depends on the group of the place you flew from.
- Present the original (white copy) Special Permit at the AFCD office at Hong Kong International Airport, with the original vaccination and health documents.
- From Group I or II: your dog is normally released without quarantine once documents are verified.
- From Group IIIA or IIIB: AFCD staff escort your dog to the quarantine facility, and you arrange (and pay for) the transport and the 30-day or 120-day stay.
- Dogs with doubtful history or clinical signs of disease may have their quarantine extended; dogs without proper documentation face at least 4 months' quarantine or return to origin.
- Dogs over 5 months are licensed and vaccinated against rabies on arrival at the permittee's expense.
- Prohibited fighting-dog breeds are refused entry, including in transit or transshipment.
🛫 Leaving the country (return trip)
Hong Kong is a listed country, so no rabies titer is needed to return to the EU — the AFCD officially certifies the EU-format health documentation for your dog.
- On site, before the flight The dog must be microchipped, rabies-vaccinated (at least 21 days after the primary shot) and examined by an approved vet; the AFCD then officially endorses the EU-format certificate, valid 10 days in the EU.
🚫 Restricted dogs
Hong Kong regulates fighting dogs under Schedule 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Regulation (Cap. 167, sub. leg. D). Certain breeds are banned from import and transshipment; others need extra documentation.
Prohibited breeds: the Pit Bull Terrier (also known as the American Staffordshire Terrier), the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino, the Fila Braziliero and any of their crossbreeds are prohibited from being imported or transhipped into Hong Kong.
Extra documentation: for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier a statutory declaration must be submitted with the permit application. If you are unsure whether a breed can be imported, seek advice directly from AFCD before travel.
Regardless of breed, every dog over 5 months living in Hong Kong must hold a dog licence and be vaccinated against rabies, arranged on arrival at the owner's expense.
✈️ Airlines flying to Hong Kong 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.
+28 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 Hong Kong
Check where your dog can relieve itself at each airport — and whether it's before or after security.
Hong Kong with a dog: common questions
Hong Kong: What does my dog need to enter?
Hong Kong requires: Special Permit (import/transit), Microchip, Animal health certificate.
Hong Kong: Is a rabies antibody test required?
Hong Kong — Rabies antibody test (RNATT): Conditional. Group IIIA only: blood drawn 90 days to 1 year before export (≥30 days after a primary vaccination), FAVN or RFFIT at an AFCD-approved lab, result ≥0.5 IU/ml.
Hong Kong: Are any dog breeds banned?
Hong Kong regulates fighting dogs under Schedule 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Regulation (Cap. 167, sub. leg. D). Certain breeds are banned from import and transshipment; others need extra documentation.
Hong Kong: How long does it take to prepare a dog?
Group I & II: a few weeks — obtain the Special Permit (about 5 working days) plus the pre-export vaccinations and health certificate; no quarantine. Group IIIB: several months to over a year — a quarantine space must be booked well ahead, followed by a minimum 120-day quarantine on arrival.
Hong Kong: What is needed to leave with a dog?
Hong Kong is a listed country, so no rabies titer is needed to return to the EU — the AFCD officially certifies the EU-format health documentation for your dog.
Hong Kong: Is it difficult to travel there with a dog?
Hong Kong — Easy to difficult (depends on origin). 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 Hong Kong and your vet before booking.
📚 Official sources
- AFCD — Import of Dogs and Cats (Special Permit, country groups)
- AFCD — Import from Group I countries/places
- AFCD — Import from Group II countries/places
- AFCD — Import from Group IIIA countries/places (antibody test + 30-day quarantine)
- AFCD — Import from Group IIIB countries/places (120-day quarantine)
- Hong Kong e-Legislation — Dangerous Dogs Regulation (Cap. 167D)
- Hong Kong e-Legislation — Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421)