As a popular expat destination, Hong Kong sees many pets arriving at its airport on a daily basis. Taking your dog, cat and other pets to Hong Kong, as you would expect, comes with quite a few stringent guidelines and regulations. However, in this current and regularly updated pet travel guide, you will find all the information and direction you need to help you with successfully relocating your pet to Hong Kong.

Whilst some of the regulations are specific to the country, there are other standard requirements that are fairly commonplace for pet travel to most other counties. To ensure your dog or cat is eligible, they will need to have been implanted with a microchip by an ISO (International Standards Organisation) or AVID approved standards. Your pet will also need to have been seen by a government approved vet, no more than 14 days prior to travel.

If you have or are soon to get a puppy or kitten, you will have to wait until they are over 60 days of age to be eligible for transport.

In order for your cat or dog to travel to and be accepted into Hong Kong, you will require a DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Export Health Certificate. This certificate provides confirmation that your pet meets the importing countries entry requirements.

To enable your dog or cat to receive and qualify for the relevant health certification and permits for travel to Hong Kong, they will need to receive the mandatory vaccinations. These inoculations must be administered between 14 days and 12 months prior to travel to ensure that your pet’s immune system has built up enough protection against these potentially harmful and life-threatening diseases.

Cat Vaccinations

• Feline panleukopenia
• Feline respiratory disease complex

Dog Vaccinations

• Canine distemper virus
• Infectious canine hepatitis
• Canine parvovirus

When your cat or dog arrives in Hong Kong, they will automatically receive a rabies vaccination, therefore it is recommended the vaccination is not given in the UK prior to travel.

Puppy Vaccinations

Diseases that your puppy will need to be vaccinated against are the same as for adult dogs. However, if your puppy is under 12 weeks of age at the time of vaccination, it of vital importance that they receive the UK licensed version that is specifically for use for young puppies under 12 weeks of age.

Pets need to have been residing in the UK since birth or 180 days prior to export in order for them not to require the addition of a rabies vaccination.

In addition to the UK DEFRA Export Health Certificate, you will also need to obtain an import permit, which is issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation in Hong Kong. This can be applied for online.

There are a few airlines that operate direct services to Hong Kong suitable for both passengers and pets (but please note, the pets will need to travel in the cargo hold as opposed to in the cabin) Airlines that operate this service are:

• Cathay Pacific
• British Airways
• Virgin Atlantic

There are also in-direct options that may offer more destinations, such as Lufthansa or KLM, both of which have great on-site facilities for pets during the layover.

While not all planes are suitable for transporting pets to Hong Kong, an increasing number are. However, some of the smaller airports may not always have the facilities to receive pets.

We recommend you contact one of our Hong Kong pet shipping experts before you book your pet’s flight to Hong Kong so that we can advise on flights that are suitable for live animals.

Breed and Other Restrictions

Like many other countries, Hong Kong has some import restrictions on certain dog breeds being allowed into the country. This is because these breeds being considered dangerous.

• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brazileiro
• Any Pit Bull Terrier Types
• Any crosses of the above breeds

Hong Kong also restricts pregnant dogs from travelling unless they are under 4 weeks pregnant.

If you have any questions or would like to receive information on available flights, airports, airlines and fees to export your pet, please fill in our online quotation request form and one of our Hong Kong pet travel experts will be back in touch.

Alternatively, please email us at: pets@pbspettravel.co.uk