When you are about to start working in China, you might be concerned about your furry friend. If you are from America, planning to work in China long-term, and considering relocating with your beloved pet, this guide is for you. We will outline the essential steps and required documents for bringing your pet from the United States to China.
Does Every Pet Need to be Quarantined?
Travel Requirements from USDA
The answer is NO. According to China’s quarantine rules, pets from designated countries, including the US, are exempt if they have a valid electronic chip and pass the on-site inspection. So, if your pet is from the US and meets the following conditions, they can be exempt from quarantine.
- Rabies Vaccination: Your pet must have been vaccinated for rabies at least twice in its lifetime and must be current on rabies vaccinations. You should provide an original copy of the current rabies vaccine certificate with the APHIS-endorsed health certificate.
- Microchip: Your pet needs a 15-digit ISO-compliant microchip (11784/11785). If the microchip isn’t ISO-compliant, you must carry a microchip reader.
- Rabies Titer Test: Your pet needs a rabies titer test showing an antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/mL. Do this test on or after the date of the second rabies vaccination at an approved lab. The lab report must also accompany the APHIS-endorsed health certificate.
- International Health Certificate: Your pet must have a veterinary health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited vet within 14 days of arrival and endorsed by USDA-APHIS, with your pet’s health, vaccinations, and microchip information.
**Important note: If your pet doesn’t meet these requirements, they must go through designated ports and stay in quarantine for 30 days. Otherwise, they will be euthanized or sent back to the United States.
The Requirements You Must Comply with
Announcement No. 5 [2019] of the General Administration of Customs
To bring your pet from the US to China, you must follow these rules:
- One person is only allowed to bring one pet.
- You can only bring a DOG or a CAT (no other animals are allowed)
- Ensure your pet does not belong to any of the banned breeds in China.
- Follow the policy of the airlines.
**We strongly recommend you check the airline policies in advance on their official website, as these policies may vary depending on the airline you choose.
What You Need to Prepare?
Here are what you need to prepare in advance (as mentioned above) to bring your pet to China:
- Proof of Rabies Vaccination
- Electronic Chip (ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 international standard)
- Proof of Rabies Titer Test
- International Health Certificate
Upon arrival at the airport in China, you need to bring your pet, the required documents below, and fees to the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) office at the airport:
- APHIS-Endorsed International Health Certificate
- Original Rabies Vaccine Certificate
- Rabies Titer Laboratory Report
- Photocopy of Traveler’s Passport
- A Digital Photo of the Pet (printed on regular paper) and one photocopy
** The Quarantine Officials at the airport may keep these documents for processing.
Registering Your Pet in China
One last thing is to register your pet with the local police within one month of arriving in China. We recommend that you contact the local police office for more information on registering your pet.
Bringing your pet from the US to China can be complex but manageable. Rules and policies may change, so check with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate and USDA APHIS (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel) for updates. To make things easier, we recommend getting help from a pet relocation agent.
If you have any questions about teaching jobs in China and the Apostille, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at support@eslnest.com. If you want to learn more about teaching in China, check out our article Teach English in China – A Complete Guide 2025.
We’re here to assist you every step of the way!
