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You can bring certain pets into China – it’s actually easier than you might think. It’s important, however, to pay special attention to the regulations governing the importing of pets into China. You can bring pet cats and dogs into Shanghai as either cargo or excess baggage, but you must provide proof of the vaccination documents and show that the pet is in a state of good health. You cannot bring the following pets into China: rabbits, ferrets, snakes, rodents, fish, or birds.

If you want to bring a dog or cat into China, then expats must have a Z visa – each Z visa holder will be allowed to bring in one pet. When you import a dog into Shanghai, you will have to register with the local authorities and pay an annual fee of 2,000 RMB in the city center and 1,000 RMB if you live outside the Outer Ring Road.

Here is a quick summary of what you need to know:

Certificates: To bring a pet into China you need 2 certificates; a Vaccination Certification (which could consist of multiple vaccination certificates depending on the animal type), and a Health Certificate.

  • The Vaccination Certificate: This certifies that all shots are up to date. This certification can be included in the health certificate. Three year rabies vaccinations are not recognized in China. All vaccinations should be within 30 days of departure.
  • The Health Certificate: A veterinarian in your home country should issue this certificate. There is no standard form for China so your veterinarian should use the international certificate. This certificate should be issued no more than 30 days prior to your departure. Obtain multiple copies as you will also need copies for your airline.

Cats: Shanghai is one of the few entry points into China for cats. Cats must be vaccinated against Enteritis (E3) within 12 months of arrival into China. You will need a certificate for Feline Panleucopania and Feline Respiratory Disease Complex Vaccinations.

Upon Arrival: Normally, a pet transport company will take care of all of the customs formalities for you. However, if you insist on taking care of these matters yourself, after arriving at the airport, take your pet and all of the appropriate documents to the Plant and Quarantine Office (your airline will tell you the location in advance). The Quarantine Office will keep the health and rabies certifications, so make sure you have copies.

Shanghai Quarantine Rules: In Shanghai there is a mandatory quarantine regulation of one week – if your pet is deemed healthy after this period, then there will be a second quarantine period of 23 days, but the authorities will allow you to take the pet to your home for this purpose.

Pets Arriving as Excess Baggage: Only one pet may be imported for each passport holder in your family. Again, we advise you to use a pet transport company, but if you want to handle this yourself, we urge you to pay attention to the following items:

  1. Present your pet rabies vaccination certificate that was obtained no more than 30 days before your departure for China. The Chinese authorities will keep the rabies certificate, so have a copy for your own records.
  2. You will need an international health certificate to give to the pet authorities at the airport – this is nothing more than a general confirmation from your veterinarian that your pet is in good health. Make sure that the health certificate was signed no more than 2 weeks before your arrival in China.
  3. If you use a pet relocation company, send them copies of the rabies certificate, the international health certificate, a copy of your passport, your arrival date and flight number. You should carry the originals with you. Your name on all the pet documents must be as the same as your name in your passport.
  4. If you arrive after 6:30 pm. Then your pet will probably stay at the airport for at least one more day, and perhaps three more days if you arrive on a Sunday or holiday.

Shipped as Air Cargo: Again, only one pet may be imported for each passport holder in your family. You will not be permitted to complete the paperwork necessary in the customs department of the Shanghai airport – only a pet relocation agent can perform these duties. This is another reason for contracting with a pet transport company to handle all of your pet’s customs matters. As above, expats will need the following documents:

  1. Present your pet rabies vaccination certificate that was obtained no more than 30 days before your departure for China. The Chinese authorities will keep the rabies certificate, so have a copy for your own records.
  2. You will need an international health certificate to give to the pet authorities at the airport – this is nothing more than a general confirmation from your veterinarian that your pet is in good health. Make sure that the health certificate was signed no more than 2 weeks before your arrival in China.
  3. You cannot clear your pet through customs if it is shipped as cargo — you MUST use a pet relocation company or agent. You should notify the pet relocation company about your pet’s Air Waybill Number as soon as your flight is booked.
  4. You must arrive in Shanghai before the pet’s arrival. You will have to give your passport to the pet relocation agent the day before your pet’s arrival – the passport will be returned to you the day of the pet’s arrival. Make sure your name in your passport is exactly the same as the names on your pet’s documents.
  5. Send the pet relocation agent copies of the rabies certificate, the international health certificate, a copy of your passport, your pet’s arrival date and its flight number. You should carry the originals with you.
  6. Since you cannot do this, the pet relocation agent will take care of all customs matters at the airport.
  7. If your pet arrives as cargo after 3 pm, then your pet will probably stay at the airport for at least one more day, and perhaps three more days if you arrive on a Sunday or holiday. Try to arrange for a flight with an arrival time earlier than 3 pm.

Pet Relocation Companies

Below is the contact information for several relocation companies that many pet owners in China have used to import and export pets. You may wish to contact them directly to find out more about bringing your pet into China. While many pet owners may choose to handle the import process themselves, it is still recommended that owners call or send an email to these relocation experts. Relocation companies may also help you determine the best route for transporting your pets and any flight restrictions imposed by airlines on the transport of live animals.

Useful links

Interesting fact

There are an estimated 116,000 
multi-millionaires living in Shanghai (27,000 fewer than Beijing).
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