Bringing your pet to Hong Kong? We’ve handled hundreds of pet exports to Asia — let us help with yours.
Bringing a pet to Hong Kong is fairly straightforward, thanks to clear rules and well-defined government procedures around pet shipping. The journey still involves careful planning, with specific timelines for vaccines, permits, and health documentation.
Our step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process so your pet’s trip goes smoothly. We’ll include expert tips along the way to make your pet’s move as stress-free as possible.
Eligible Pets and Country Restrictions
Hong Kong has active breed restrictions for certain dogs and cats on top of airline restrictions. Import requirements vary depending on your pet’s origin point.
Eligible Pets
Hong Kong is generally pet-friendly, but it’s also dense. Many apartment buildings have size or breed restrictions on dogs in particular, and breed bans for both cats and dogs are in effect.
The Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) prohibits the import of Savannah cats and dog breeds they describe as “fighting dogs,” including crossbreeds. Those include the following:
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese tosa
- Pit bull terrier
Bengal cats are also restricted unless you can provide documentation that the cat is at least 5 generations removed.
The airline you choose to fly your pet to Hong Kong may have additional breed restrictions in place. Cathay Pacific, our preferred airline for Hong Kong pet transportation, bans both “dangerous” dog breeds (with the addition of American Staffordshire Terriers) and Sphynx cats.
Snub-nosed or brachycephalic pets are only allowed to fly during limited seasonal windows and on very limited routes on Cathay Pacific, none of which include airports in the U.S. If your pet falls into a restricted category, we can help you go over your options for international pet travel.
Hong Kong allows the import of a variety of live animals beyond dogs and cats, including pet birds, small mammals like rabbits and guinea pigs, reptiles and amphibians, and fish. All require a Special Permit from the AFCD with relevant health documentation.
Approved Countries
Hong Kong divides countries and territories into different groups for pet import purposes based on the origin point’s rabies risk. Those groupings determine quarantine, permit, and testing requirements.
- Group I: These are rabies-free or very low-risk countries and territories that include Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Pets face minimal restrictions and aren’t required to show up-to-date rabies vaccinations.
- Group II: These are low-risk countries for rabies that include the continental U.S. and many European countries, like Austria and France. Pets must meet rabies vaccination requirements, but quarantines are not typically required.
- Group IIIA: These are countries at moderate risk for rabies that include Hungary, Mainland China, and Thailand. On top of vaccination requirements, pets from these countries face a 30-day quarantine upon arrival in Hong Kong.
- Group IIIB: These are countries that don’t appear in Groups I, II, or IIIA, where the rabies risk is high or unknown. Pets are subject to a longer quarantine, usually 120 days, on top of all other requirements.
The information above was updated in June 2025, but policies can change over time. Refer back to the AFCD for the most recent information before planning animal transport.
Planning an international flight for your pet? We can help.
Microchip and Vaccinations
Hong Kong requires all dogs and cats arriving from countries with any rabies risk to be vaccinated for rabies before import. All pets, no matter their origin point, must be microchipped.
Microchip
All dogs and cats coming into Hong Kong must be microchipped. Until recently, pets had to have an AVID chip, the standard in Hong Kong. Under the revised Rabies Regulations, effective August 2025, 15-digit ISO-compatible chips are also accepted.
ISO chips are widely recognized internationally, which makes travel to other countries easier. They’re readable by universal scanners, too.
Vaccinations
All dogs and cats traveling to Hong Kong must be up to date on their rabies vaccinations. The rabies vaccine must be at least 30 days old and no more than 12 months old at the time of entry.
If your pet’s rabies vaccine schedule falls outside that window, they will need a new round of shots before traveling. All dogs must also have the following core vaccines:
- Canine distemper
- Infectious canine hepatitis
- Canine parvovirus (protection against enteritis)
- Canine parainfluenza
Most vets combine these vaccines into one shot, the DHPP, which meets Hong Kong’s import regulations for vaccination records.
The standard Feline Respiratory Disease Complex (FVRCP) vaccine, which protects against viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia, or “cat flu,” covers the requirements for cats.
Core vaccines outside of rabies have a minimum waiting period of 14 days after administration and must have been given within the last 12 months.Your vet may have additional recommendations based on your pet’s health and whether they’ll face quarantine upon arrival. This may include leptospirosis, a common requirement at boarding facilities, for traveling dogs.
Blood Tests and Treatments
Pets coming from Group I and II countries, including the continental U.S., don’t need a rabies titer before entering Hong Kong, as long as they’re properly vaccinated and microchipped.
For pets from higher-risk groups (IIIA and IIIB), a rabies neutralizing antibody titer test is required to confirm adequate protection from rabies. Blood samples must be taken at an AFCD-approved lab.
The AFCD does not require additional treatments for internal or external parasites. Some professional pet shippers may ask that pet owners treat their pets for external (mites and fleas) and internal parasites (nematodes and tapeworms) before their flight.
Import Documents
All pets traveling to Hong Kong need a Special Permit from the AFCD before submitting anything else. This import permit is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. Give the AFCD at least 3 working days to process your permit application, not including the day you apply.
Once you have your permit, you need an Animal Health Certificate confirming that your pet is healthy, free of infectious diseases, and up to date on vaccinations. Hong Kong has an official form (VC-DC2), but equivalent forms may be used. (That doesn’t include APHIS Form 7001 for cats and dogs, although it may be used for other small animals.)
Your pet’s health certificate must be completed within 14 days of export. It should either be issued by a government vet or issued by a registered vet and endorsed by a government vet.
Quick note: USDA–accredited veterinarians don’t endorse export certificates, but they can prepare certificates to submit to a USDA Veterinary Services (VS) representative.
Pets in Group I and II also need a Residence Certificate to confirm continuous residency in the exporting country. Any missing piece could mean your pet faces quarantine upon arrival.
Airline Options
The best option for getting pets to Hong Kong is Cathay Pacific. They offer the most direct routes from major U.S. hubs, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. That’s why they’re our preferred choice for cargo trips for pets relocating to Hong Kong.
Cathay Pacific allows snub-nosed pets on only 2 routes to Hong Kong: Melbourne and Singapore. Their London Heathrow route is usually a third option, but it’s temporarily unavailable. Shipments, even on available legs, are restricted to January-May and October-December, and you must book through an IPATA-certified BOAS (snub-nosed) pet shipper.
If your pet is snub-nosed, alternative airlines may exist, but routings usually require long connections. We can help you work through your options and alternative travel arrangements.
Quarantine
Quarantine is not a requirement for pets arriving from Group I or Group II countries. That includes the U.S. Pets arriving from Group IIIA countries generally face a 30-day quarantine. That is extended to 120 days for pets coming from Group IIIB as their country of origin.
How Tailwind Can Help
At Tailwind, we do more than arrange transportation for traveling pets. We partner with our clients at the earliest planning stages until their pets arrive at their new home. It’s true door-to-door support, no matter what special accommodations you need for your pet.
Wherever your journey begins and wherever it ends, we can guide you through the process and find the safest, most efficient route for your pet. We know the rules and potential challenges, and we’re here to make your pet’s travel day easier.
Ready to get started? Each pet relocation situation is different, so to get an idea of the costs involved, fill out a request for a free quote.
See What Our Clients Have to Say
“I have nothing but praise for Tailwind Global Pet and specifically Brady Wheeler. There were many companies I researched because I was moving two of my fur babies (toy poodle mix & cavapoo) from Los Angeles to Hong Kong. I was very nervous about transporting them on a long flight in cargo. However, Brady helped me every step of the way, he answered all my detailed questions, and reassured me that all will be well and it was. From the morning pickup on the day of the flight to being so attentive to all my concerns, my fur babies arrived safely in Hong Kong and everything went so smoothly. Thank you Brady and team for alleviating the stress of transporting my fur babies to Hong Kong! I will highly recommend your company to others.”
– Jennifer L.
“We relocated from Southeast Asia and reached out to this Team here as part of the requirements needed from CDC. I started reaching out June 29, flight is scheduled July 3, got a response June 30. And from there, it’s been a continuous, hassle free communication with Brady and Team! My husband and I are very grateful for their support and most importantly, for taking care of our 8-year old Chow Chow who travelled more than a day to get to US! We highly recommend Kennel Club LAX to any fur-parents like us! 💕”
– Rose P.
“We brought our two dogs in from SW Asia. Tailwinds was right with us all the way via email and text through the entire excruciating bureaucratic process. Thank you!”
– Steve B