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 advise.
Importing pets to China
Pet regulations may vary by province.
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.
- An official export certificate issued in your country of origin. The Ministry of Agriculture usually issues this.
- A health certificate prepared by your veterinarian in the country of origin, attesting to the health of your pet.
You should allow plenty of time for the export process, and start by asking your local veterinarian for advise about the export procedure in your country.
China requires that animals coming into the country be rabies vaccinated at least 1 month, but no more than 12 months prior to arrival.
China does not have a microchipping requirement for imported pets.
There is a legal requirement in China that pets brought into the country undergo 30-days quarantine. 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
Check vaccination requirements for the country to which you are relocating. Generally, vaccination dates should be over one month but less than one year before departure.
Owners should also check to make sure if pets require distemper vaccinations prior to departure.
To exit from China, the Entry/Exit Quarantine Bureau of the PRC requires that all animals must have been rabies vaccinated at an official animal vaccination hospital in the PRC and have the official Vaccination Immunity Certificate (Vaccination Burgundy Book). The rabies vaccination must have been administered at least 30-days before departure date but no more than 12-months before the departure date.
Pet owners will need to schedule an appointment for an exit health examination for their pet at the designated government quarantine bureau animal hospital, Guan Shang Animal Hospital. Pet owners can schedule the exit health examination within 7-days prior to the date of the animal’s departure from China. Your pet will undergo a brief examination that may include blood tests, urine and stool checks. Once completed, you will be issued a “Beijing International Companion Animal Health Inspection Form”, which is required to obtain the official “Animal Health Certificate” from the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.
Then you and your pet will need to go to the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau within 7-days prior to departure from China, where you will be issued the official “Animal Health Certificate” (e.g., exit permit).
Microchipping of animals is not required in China and United States, but most European Union countries require it. Please check with the embassy or department of agriculture of the country to which your pet is relocating to find out more about microchipping requirements, etc.
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. One month after the rabies vaccination, your pet’s blood needs to be sampled and the separated serum delivered to the official laboratory in the country to which your pet is relocating for rabies antibody titre testing. As the serum is a “biological sample”, the international courier companies decline to send these samples.
On January 1, 2012, the UK will follow the general EU rules.
For more information please visit http://www.doctorsbeckandstone.com
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Importing and exporting pets in China is never an easy process.
