How to bring your pet to China

Relocating your pet from one country to another can be an extremely challenging and expensive job. Each country has its requirements, rules, and regulations in terms of size, breed, country of origin, etc. – and so does China. But fret not, you will get to learn more about how to bring your pet to China in this Pacific Prime China article.

For starters, you will need to do the paperwork – a lot of paperwork! From vaccination records to your home country’s approval, there are a lot of formalities that need to be taken care of. You could do the documentation yourself or outsource the job to a pet relocation specialist. Either way, here are some rules and regulations that you need to know about before you decide to bring your pet to China.

What documents do you need to import your pets to China?

To start, let’s look at the documents you’ll need to import your pet to China.

1. Rabies Vaccination – Your pet is probably already vaccinated for rabies, but you will need documentation as proof of vaccination.
2. Health Certificate – You will need to present a health certificate that was issued by your vet no more than one week before travel.
3. China Export Documentation – Comparable to a pet passport, this document is issued by your home country and allows you to import your pet to China.
4. Mandatory Quarantine – You can exhaust yourself searching about ‘how to avoid pet quarantine in China’ but it is just not possible as quarantine is mandatory. The quarantine can last anywhere between 7-30 days, depending on the rabies status of the country your pet will be traveling from.

Apart from the required documentation, there are a few other things that you need to know. Firstly, China has a limit on how many pets you can bring (i.e. one per adult with a work visa). If you are going to bring your pet into a city like Beijing, you are allowed to register only one pet per address. If you have more than one pet, then you will need to register the second one under a friend’s address. That is because most animal importation in China is considered commercial.

It’s also worth noting that bigger dogs (i.e. taller than 14 inches) are not allowed in Beijing’s city center, as well as 41 breeds that are branded as dangerous. Make sure to cross-check if your furry companion meets the requirements and that they are not on the list of dog breeds that are not fit for Beijing.

Pet travel regulations in China are always changing, so be sure to consult a professional or a company that offers pet travel services for updated rules and regulations before travel.

Invest in pet insurance

Whether you are relocating or just traveling with your pet, it is a good idea to invest in pet insurance. Pets get sick and will need medical assistance from time to time. In these situations, your pet insurance will help you cover the medical bills. You could also consider getting third-party liability insurance for pets, as this type of insurance covers the damage caused by your cat or dog to a person or their property.

How much does pet relocation cost?

The cost of relocating your pet will depend on the size of the animal, country of origin, and use of a professional relocation service, to name a few. Your best bet is to budget a couple of thousand USD for relocating your pet, regardless of the country of origin. If the company you work for is relocating you to China for a project, it’s advisable to ask if they would also be able to cover your pet’s relocation expense.

What about taking your pet back home from China?

Pet relocation rules differ from one country to another. Countries like Australia consider pets coming from China ‘unsafe’. There are several special import requirements that you would need to submit. Moreover, you need to prepare for your pet to be confined in a lengthy quarantine. Quarantine requirements differ based on the rabies situation in the country of origin, dog breed, age, and health condition.

Look into the special regulation requirements of your country before you decide to import your pet to China since moving your little one back home could present another challenge.

While importing your pet to China is challenging, pet quarantine remains to be the biggest challenge. The process could be taxing, especially for certain personality types. If you do decide to bring your pet to China, it is a smart idea to prepare for any medical expense that could come your way by securing insurance sooner rather than later.

Get in touch with Pacific Prime China

Importing pets to China is a long process, but hey! It will be all worth it when you get to reunite with your furry best friend. If you’d like to learn more about pet insurance, reach out to us at Pacific Prime China. Our expert advisors will be able to give you a complete picture of what pet insurance covers. Find out how much pet insurance in China costs according to your requirements, and more. Contact us today!

Disclaimer: Pacific Prime China solely represents, operates and manages locally regulated insurance products and services in the territory of PR China. Any references to Pacific Prime Global Company or Group, the international services, insurance products or otherwise stated written or verbally, is for introduction purposes about our overseas network only as each entity is fully independent.