Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Microchipping is only one of the steps. Given China's rabies status, many countries are par-
ticularly strict when it comes to allowing in pets that have been in China for any amount of
time. This may require a process of rabies vaccinations and testing that begins many months
ahead of your exiting China, and then varying levels of quarantine when your pet does land
in the next destination. If you're planning to go to Australia or New Zealand, then things
get really difficult. Neither of these countries has rabies and they want to make sure things
stay that way. Animals coming from China must first reside in an approved intermediary
country or region, such as the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, or Hawaii, for
six months, and then once they do land in Australia or New Zealand, they're then required
to stay in quarantine for 10-30 days. There are no exceptions, even for disability-assistance
dogs.
Just remember that every country is different, and laws are liable to change at a mo-
ment's notice. At the time of writing, getting your dog or cat back into the continental Un-
ited States or Canada was a breeze. Outside of the required rabies vaccination (at least 30
days before and up to 12 months before entry), no microchipping, rabies antibody titer test-
ing, or quarantine was needed, if the other requirements had been met. But expect this to
change.
GUIDELINES FOR EXPORTING YOUR PET OUT OF BEIJING
COUNTRY
DIFFICULTY
PROCESS
TIME
NEEDED
PROCESS
TIME
NEEDED
PRE-EXIT
UPON ARRIVAL
U.S.
(excluding
Hawaii),
Easy
30 days
—
Canada
Requirements for export from Beijing:
• Rabies vaccination 30 days to 12 months before entry
• No quarantine
• No microchipping
• No rabies antibody titer testing
Hong Kong
Moderate
30 days
4 months
Requirements for export from Beijing:
• Microchipping
• No rabies antibody titer test
• 4 months quarantine in Hong Kong
European Union
Moderate
4 months
0-6 months
Requirements for export from Beijing:
• Rabies vaccination
• Rabies antibody titer test (done at least 30 days after rabies vaccination). The titer test must be done at least 3 months
