How Can You Bring Your Pets With You to China?

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Pets hold a special place in our hearts. Some of you may have just recently adopted one while others may have had the fortune of owning one (or more) for years; either way they’ve been and will be by our side in the darkest of times to help bring our spirits up in moments of despair and love us unconditionally, so when opportunities to move to another country come about, leaving those bundles of joy behind is out of the question. The process of bringing them with you, however, can be quite problematic.

Luckily for you, we’ve put our knowledgeable heads together to create a step-by-step list of what you need to do to start your new life in China with your best furry friend.

So here’s what you should do to bring your pets to China.

Step 1: Prepare Their Health Records in Advance.

Before you can even start thinking about what kind of bed you’ll be getting for your pet while in China, you need to prepare two separate certificates: 

a Rabies Vaccination Certificate and an International Health Certificate issued by your original country of residence. 

Below is an example of a document for Canadian residents.

You should contact your local government’s agency for more information on your country’s animal health records policy.

Rabies Vaccination Certificate sample

Canadian International Health Certificate sample

Bring their health international certificate with you along with your pet to your local animal hospital for a full body checkup and to have their rabies vaccine done. The vaccine needs to be injected a month before leaving your country.

After the rabies vaccine, you can ask for a certificate to be printed out while you’re at the hospital which is valid for one year. We recommend you print a few extra copies of the certificates just to be safe.

Tip: To make your pet’s trip to China as smooth as possible, you can ask the veterinarian for anti-anxiety or sleeping pills.

Step 2: Book a Separate Plane Ticket For Your Pet

Once you’ve got the tests and certificates taken care of, it’s time to book tickets. As you browse the different booking websites in search of the best deal, it’s important that you ask yourself the following questions:

1.     Are pets allowed onboard this airplane?

2.     Is there sufficient oxygen in their cargo hold?

Pet requirements may differ depending on the airlines, so do make sure to read their policies carefully. For example, Canada Airline allows passengers to only bring pets who weigh under 10kg (including case). Obviously, the sooner you book their plane ticket, the cheaper it will be as they’re generally more expensive when purchased at their airport. Only one pet per passport holder can be brought onto a plane.

Beware that your pet may not be allowed to board on the same plane as you as each flight operates with a specific quota, so book their ticket as soon as possible to avoid any complications of the sort! And try to pick a travel carrier as comfortable as possible.

Step 3: Last-Minute Preparation Before the Flight

Make sure to hydrate and feed your pets well and give them a sleeping pill if necessary (per their veterinarian’s approval) before the airline’s staff takes them to the cabin. Add some extra cushions and a blanket so your furry friend doesn’t get cold during the flight as well as a couple of their favorite toys to keep them entertained.

Step 4: Wait For Quarantine

After landing in China, your pet(s) will come out the same exit as your checked luggage. If you enter the country via Beijing or Shanghai, you will need to take them to the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (CIQ) where they will be kept for 7 days. If you enter from Guangzhou, however, you can avoid the quarantine station at the airport and will need to quarantine your pet in your own home instead.

Step 5: A Connecting Flight May Be Necessary

You might run into some problems if you’re traveling to a city that isn’t the one you’re flying into because most means of public transportation in China do not allow pets. If that’s your case, then you’ll probably need to get on a connecting flight to bring you closer to your final destination.

If your connecting flight is in Shanghai or Beijing, your pet will be required to stay in the city for 30 days including 7 days at the CIQ station. You will then be allowed to get on your other flight with your pet after 30 days. While you’re in Shanghai, you must bring your pet’s international health record to a local government office and have a new certificate printed there. Once you have this new certificate, you and your pet will have 7 days to leave the city.

Step 6: Home, Sweet Home!

It’s been a long journey! If you think you have it rough moving to a new country, try putting yourself in your pet’s shoes (metaphorically speaking, of course). They are now in an entirely new environment, so look after them as carefully as possible.

With all that said, congratulations on starting your new life with your best furry friend in China! 

There are some agencies who can complete the pet-moving process for you. Scan the QR code below for more information.

PetsWeCare: 

PetTour: http://www.pettour.cn/

Relo Pet Immigrant: 

Have you run into your own set of problems when moving into China with your pet?  Do you have any experiences you feel would help other pet owners?

Share them in the comment section below!  Don't forget to share this article with friends by pressing "..." in the top right corner.

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