Pet relocation
Importing and exporting pets is never an easy process. Here are some of the general guidelines you need to consider. Please contact us for specific pet relocation advice.
Importing pets to China
Pet regulations may vary by province.
Only dogs and cats are classified as pets, and other animals cannot be imported.
Pet owners are generally allowed to bring in one pet per passport. You will need an official employment visa to import your pet.
You will need the following documents to clear health & quarantine requirements:
- Official certification of recent rabies vaccination. China requires that pets coming into the country be rabies vaccinated at least 1 month, but no more than 12 months prior to arrival.
- A health certificate prepared by your veterinarian in your country of origin.
- An official export certificate issued in your country of origin. The Ministry of Agriculture usually issues this.
You should allow plenty of time for the export process, and start by asking your local veterinarian for advice about the export procedure in your country.
China does not have a microchip requirement for importing pets.
There is a legal requirement in China that pets brought into the country undergo quarantine. The quarantine period varies from city to city between one week and one months, or none at all. The quarantine period also depends on the pet's country of origin. Pets are quarantined at a government run facility and owners will be charged for the quarantine. Owners are not allowed to visit the facility during the quarantine period.
Exporting a pet from China
First check the vaccination requirements for the country to which you are relocating. Generally, vaccination dates should be over one month but less than one year.
All pets leaving China need to have the species-specific multi-vaccination i.e. for dogs this is the DHPPi and for cats the ‘3-in-1’ vaccination, and must have been rabies vaccinated at an official animal vaccination hospital in China, and have the official Vaccination Immunity Certificate (vaccination book).
Pet owners will need an export health examination for their pet at the designated government quarantine bureau animal hospital. Your pet will undergo a brief examination that may include blood tests, urine and stool checks. Once completed, you will be issued an "International Companion Animal Health Inspection Form".
Then you and your pet will need to go to the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, where you will be issued the official "Animal Health Certificate" (e.g., export permit).
The export health examination is valid 7 days and the export permit is valid 7 days, hence the procedure can start up to 14 days before the export date. The export health examination does involve routine blood sampling, and pets have been known to fail this; if failure occurs re-testing 3 to 4 days later is recommended. Hence it is sensible to perform the export health examination 10 days before the travel date.
A microchip is required in China prior to arranging the export procedures. The microchip must be inserted before the rabies vaccination for identity verification. An international "ISO" microchip is also required before the rabies vaccination required for export to Europe.
European Union countries require rabies antibody titre testing for pets entering the EU. The United States does not require rabies antibody titre testing for pets entering the continental USA. However, all owners must check if the country to which their pet is relocating requires rabies antibody titre testing. At least one month after the rabies vaccination, your pet's blood needs to be sampled, and the separated serum delivered to an official laboratory that is recognized by the country your pet is relocating to. As the serum is a "biological sample", the international courier companies decline to send these samples. You pet can enter EU countries 3 months after the blood sample has been collected and approved.
As of January 1, 2012, the UK follows the general EU rules. Switzerland and Norway also follow the EU rules.
Only dogs and cats are classified as pets, and other animals cannot be exported from China as pets.
Domestic travel with pets
Pets are not allowed on trains in China.
Doctors Beck & Stone offer domestic pet transportation using our pet ambulances. You can travel with your pet, and you can bring luggage as well, if you prefer pet relocation by car rather than airplane.
For owners moving pets by airplane, you will need to contact the airline to check the requirements.
Pets must have been rabies vaccinated at least 10 days but no more than 12 months before date of departure by airplane, and pet owners must have the vaccination book.
No more than 1-2 days before the airplane departure date, bring the vaccination book, your pet, and the air crate to the designated Animal Husbandry Bureau Service Center for a simple physical examination and sterilization of the air crate. The certificate is valid for 3-days.
Pet carriers
Carry-on pet carriers
If your pet and carrier weighs under 5 kgs you may be able to bring them into the cabin on some airlines; in this instance a soft carrier can be used.
With so many different airlines with differing requirements it is impossible to say that an airline approved pet carrier will be approved by all airlines. So the best thing to do is double check with your airline for specific details on what they will accept as an airline approved pet carrier on your flight.
Check-in pet carrier
Pet airline crates are approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Check the airline web site to see how to measure your pet and find the correct crate size.
If your pet is not traveling with a companion then you will need to use a re-location agent to book the pet onto the plane.
Airlines will not accept pets on days when there are extreme outdoor temperatures, and some airlines have also blocked certain seasonal time periods for all animal transportation.
Introduction to Globy Pet Relocation
Globy Pet Relocation is the leading pet transportation service company in China. We arrange for all of your pet's relocation planning, international airline arrangements and door to door pick up & delivery. We provide our customers with unparalleled service and care.
Our only objective is to ensure your pet arrives healthy and safe.
Globy Pet Relocation is in the business of relocating family pets. In fact, we have been relocating family pets door to door worldwide since 2001.
We are a member of IPATA (The Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association International, Inc) and AATA (Animal Transportation Association) in USA.
Globy Pet Relocation has achieved ISO 9001:2000 SGS certification by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), demonstrating Globy Pet Relocation's long-standing commitment to quality-of-service standards and customer satisfaction.
www.globypetrelo.com