Every country has pet “import requirements” and preparation and planning may take anywhere from three (3) months to eight (8) months or more to meet import requirements. Moreover, there are also pet “export requirements” for every country to allow a live animal to be taken out of the current country. It is not a guarantee that live animals will be permitted to leave the current country or to be allowed into the destination country. These decisions are made in line with the PRC Quarantine Bureau requirements to allow live animals to be exported from China (exiting China) and in line with the Agricultural or Quarantine Bureau requirements of the destination country to allow live animals to be imported.
China allows one pet to be imported or exported per passport holder.
Please note that the Beijing Quarantine Bureau is now advising all departing pet owners to take their pets for the mandatory exit health examination at 7-10 days before the departure date.
The three simple steps for clearing exit requirements for pet owners are:
Step 1: Rabies Vaccinations and the Official Vaccination Immunity
Complete rabies vaccination and obtain the official PRC Animal Health and Immunity Certificate certifying the pet is rabies vaccinated at least 30-days before departure date but not more than 12-months before departure
Animals departing China must be rabies vaccinated at an officially designated animal rabies vaccination hospital in the PRC and must have the official “PRC (Beijing) Animal Health and Immunity Certificate” (e.g., vaccination red book) with the stamp/chop of the issuing hospital.
Step 2: Health Examination and Official Exit Health Certificate
Undergo the mandatory official exit health examination for your pet 7-10 days before departure date at the government run Entry-Exit Inspection & Quarantine Bureau animal hospital
After your pets have completed rabies and all other vaccinations and have obtained the official “vaccination red books,” pet owners may take their pets for the official exit health examination at the designated government Quarantine Bureau Animal Hospital 7-10 days prior to the animal’s departure date from China. Pets will undergo a brief physical examination that will include mandatory blood tests and stool checks. Once completed, you will be issued a “Beijing International Companion Animal Health Inspection Certificate” (Official Exit Health Certificate), which is required to then obtain the official “Animal Exit Permit” from the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau. Fees will be charged for the examination and the tests. Owners should bring the pet, the vaccination red book, passport or photocopy (one passport per pet), rabies antibody titre test report (for EU and other countries that require the test) and cash (e.g., RMB 1200.00+ per pet) at the time of the visit.
Kindly note that in November 2011, the Quarantine Bureau's Animal Hospitals that perform the official exit health examinations began scanning all animals for microchips at the time of the exit health exam. Many countries require microchips for pet import. The microchips required are the European Union ISO 11784 /11785 standard microchips.
Please note that this microchip requirement is NOT a national or Beijing Municipal Government or an Entry/Exit Quarantine and Inspection Bureau requirement. Requirements are set by the officially designated Quarantine Bureau Animal Hospitals who are authorized to perform the official exit health examinations for pets exiting China (e.g., Guan Shang Animal Hospital in Beijing and Shen Pu Animal Hospital in Shanghai).
When taking pets for the mandatory exit health examination, please go early in the morning when the Quarantine Bureau’s Guan Shang Animal Hospital opens. Appointments are not accepted. If you are not proficient in Mandarin, it may be helpful to use a professional pet relocation company that can help you take your pet door-to-door and manage the exit health examination process at the Quarantine Bureau.
The health certificate is usually issued within two (2) business days after the examination and is valid for seven (7) days from the issue date. If the health certificate is not taken to apply for an exit permit before the expiration date, the health examination must be repeated.
Step 3: “Animal Exit Permit”
Apply for the exit permit from Entry-Exit Inspection & Quarantine Bureau after receiving the official exit health certificate
Owners may present the exit health certificate to obtain the official “Animal Exit Permit.” The Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau has a satellite office on the second floor of the Quarantine Bureau’s Animal Hospital where owners may apply for the exit permit. Bring your “vaccination red book,” the exit health certificate and your passport (or passport photocopy).
It is not necessary to bring your pet to apply for the exit permit. The exit permit fee is about RMB 200.00 and is now processed in 2 to 4 business days and remains valid for 14-days once issued.
Please Note: Most airlines and countries have regulations that require pets to enter within 10-days of the issue date of the exit permit. Please check with your airline to confirm the maximum number of days you have to arrive on a valid exit permit.
NB: This information is provided as reference only. Regulations may change as prescribed by the concerned authorities in the Philippines and China.
For more information on the following:
- Quarantine Requirements for Bringing Pets to the People’s Republic of China
中华人民共和国携带宠物入境检疫要求 - List of Laboratories Issuing Rabies Antibody Test Result Accredited the General Administration of Customs
海关总署采信狂犬病抗体检测结果的实验室名单 - Registration for Pet Dogs and Cats Carried by Passengers (forms)
携带入境宠物（犬、猫）信息登记表 - List of Ports with Isolated Quarantine Facility for Entry of Pets
具备进境宠物隔离检疫条件的口岸名单
visit http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/article/b/g/201903/20190302840498.shtml
Last updated on July 2020
