top of page

Bring Your Pet to

United States

Quarantine Request

No

Preparation Time

1.5 - 3 months

Different states may have slight differences in requirements. If you wish to move to the US with your pet, please contact us and we can create a personalized plan. If you have further questions, please fill in the contact us form or WhatsApp us at +852 94404933.

United States

Blood Test

  • Rabies vaccination
  • Microchip

Health Certificate

  • within 10 days before departure

Import Permit

  • Required (CDC Dog Import Form)

Requirements and Timeline

Travel Method

  • Pet in cargo

Quarantine Request

  • No

Others

  • Different states may have additional requirements

Bringing a Dog into the US

  1. Microchipping: The US government requires every imported dog to have a microchip that can be read by a universal microchip scanner to identify them. 

  2. Rabies Vaccination: The US government requires every imported dog to have a valid rabies vaccination before departure. We will check the existing vaccination record and arrange vaccination for you if needed.

  3. Completed CDC Dog Import Form: All dog owners must submit a new online form before their pet's departure. We will help you to fill and submit the form.

  4. Health Certificate: A health certificate is needed to state that your pet is healthy and fit to fly. We will arrange a vet visit to do a body check for your pet. The veterinarian will issue a health certificate to pets that have completed the health examination. We will then take the original copy of the health certificate to AFCD for endorsement.


Bringing a Cat into the US

  1. Microchipping: The US government does not require cats to have a microchip. However, we recommend microchipping your cat  for identification purposes.

  2. Vaccination: Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for moving into the United States. However, some states require the vaccination of cats for rabies. Please contact us for more details.

  3. Health Certificate: A health certificate is needed to state that your pet is healthy and fit to fly. We will arrange a vet visit to do a body check for your pet. The veterinarian will issue a health certificate to pets that have completed the health examination. We will then take the original copy of the health certificate to AFCD for endorsement.


Different states may have slight differences in requirements. If you wish to move to the US with your pet, please contact us and we can create a personalized plan.


Please note: The information on these destination pages is about relocating dogs and cats from Hong Kong. If you are relocating from other countries or have different types of pets, additional documents and veterinary work may be required. Please contact us to learn about your customized pet immigration plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where is the Animal Management Centre?
    There are 2 Animal Management Centres in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Animal Management Centre and Kowloon Animal Management Centre. Address of Hong Kong Animal Management Centre: 688 Victoria Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. Address of Kowloon Animal Management Centre: 102 Sung Wong Toi Road, Tokwawan, Kowloon 
  • May I visit my pet during its quarantine?
    You may visit your pet during opening hours. The visiting hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily including public holidays, and the Centre will not be opened as long as the typhoon signal No.8 or above/ Black Rainstorm Warning/ “Extreme Conditions” is being hoisted. 
  • Does the Animal Management Centre provide shower and grooming services?
    No, you are responsible for arranging such services for your pet. You can do this on your own or arrange a private groomer to provide the service.
  • What will happen if my pet is sick during the quarantine period?
    You are responsible for the provision, appointment and cost of veterinary care to your pet. There is a list of registered veterinary surgeons around the areas of the centre provided at the centre for your reference.  Their staff will conduct regular checks on your pet. If they are concerned about your pet’s condition, they will contact you and ask you to call in your private veterinary surgeon. If the condition appears to be urgent, they will call the designated veterinary surgeon directly. If your pet dies during the quarantine period, a rabies investigation will be carried out by the Animal Management Centre and the carcass will be disposed of at their discretion. 
  • Are there any breeds banned to be imported in Hong Kong?
    A few dog breeds are banned to be imported to Hong Kong: Pit Bull Terrier Japanese Tosa Dogo Argentino Fila Braziliero The above breeds and their crossbreeds are prohibited to be imported to Hong Kong or transshipped through Hong Kong. Import / Transshipment  of Special Cat Breed Bengal cats must not be imported or transshipped unless documentation certifying that the cat is of 5th or above 5th generation.
  • List of Group I, II and III countries / places
    There is a possibility that the rabies status or other factors may change in these countries / places. The below list is subject to ongoing review.
  • Are there any breeds banned to be imported in Australia?
    A few dog breeds are banned to be imported to Australia: Pit Bull Terrier Japanese Tosa Dogo Argentino Fila Braziliero Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario The import of mixed breed dogs, including mixes involving the breeds above, is not restricted. A few domestic or non-domestic hybrids are also prohibited.  Czechoslovakian wolfdog or Czechoslovakian Vlcak Saarloos wolfdog or Saarloos wolfhound Lupo Italiano or Italian wolfdog Kunming wolfdog or Kunming dog. In accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, domestic/non domestic animal hybrids are generally not eligible for import. Hybrid cats include, but are not limited to: Savannah cat, derived from crossbreeding domestic cat (Felis catus) with Serval cat (Felis serval) Safari cat, domestic cat crossed with Geoffroy cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi) Chausie, domestic cat crossed with Jungle cat (Felis chaus) Bengal cat, domestic cat crossed with Asian Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).
  • Can my pet take the blood test before the identity verification?
    Yes. However, if your pet does not have its identity verified before taking the blood test, its quarantine period will be 30 days instead of 10 days.
  • What should I do if my pet’s RNATT fails?
    The antibodies response after vaccination differs between pets.  Hence, your pet’s RNATT can fail. If it fails, your pet needs to do a re-vaccination and re-do the RNATT after 30 days.
  • How long is the RNATT validity?
     It is valid for 1 year.
  • What shall I do after arrival?
    No matter if your pet travels in cabin or in hold, after picking up your pet, complete the customs declaration inspection, then you may go.
  • What documents do I need to bring my pet to mainland China?
    To bring your pet to mainland China, you need a valid Rabies vaccination record, a health certificate endorsed by AFCD and ISO microchip for identification purposes.
  • Can I prepare the pet relocation myself?
    Sure. However, the Chinese government has strict restrictions for imported pets. When a pet enters mainland China, if the pet does not meet the entry requirements and needs to return to Hong Kong, the pet must undergo four months of quarantine at an animal management centre.
  • If my pet has an AVID microchip only, can I bring it to Europe?
    Yes, you can bring it to Europe. However, not all airports in Europe have the scanner to scan the AVID microchip. We recommend your pet to have an ISO microchip. You can also bring an AVID scanner yourself.
  • Do I need to pay any import tax or clearance fee?
    Some destinations, such as Ireland, will collect import tax/clearance fee. Please contact us for more details.
  • Do I need to book the clearance in advance?
    Apart from Ireland, you do not need to book clearance.
  • What is TOR?
    Transfer of Residence (TOR) Relief is a legal document that allows you to bring your personal belongings, including pets, to the UK without paying customs duty and VAT. If you are moving to the UK and plan to bring your pet, you should apply for TOR to benefit from this relief, otherwise you may need to pay the import tax.
  • Does my pet need to take any blood test?
    No, your pet does not need any blood test.
  • Why can’t I choose pet in cabin or in hold method to go to the UK directly?
    According to the UK policies, pets have to travel as cargo on a plane. If you wish to choose pet in cabin or in hold method, you will need to go to the EU first, then take a pet taxi to the UK.
  • Do I need to register my pet?
    In the UK, cats and dogs need to be registered on one of the approved databases. You can be fined up to £500 if your dog or cat is registered on a database.
  • Does my pet need to take any blood test?
    No, your pet does not need any blood test.
  • Are the requirements different between states?
    Yes, the requirements are different between states. If you wish to move to the US with your pet, please contact us and we can create a personalized plan.
bottom of page