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Cats and dogs may be brought into Hong Kong if a special permit has been granted in advance by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD). The Special PermitTo import a pet, it is necessary to obtain a Special Permit in advance from the AFCD and pay a fee. The special permit application form must be completed in English or Chinese.
The permit application form, the required fee and a stamped self-addressed envelope must then be sent by post or taken in person to the following address:
Applications from overseas must be paid by bank draft in Hong Kong currency to The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Five working days are necessary to process the application from the date of receipt, as long as the application form contains all the required information. Permits are then sent by post. To save time it is possible to nominate someone in Hong Kong to apply for and collect the permit on behalf of the owner. The special permit is valid for six months and animals must be imported on or before the expiry date of the permit. Animals must be implanted with an identification microchip, and the microchip number must be printed on the animal health certificate. If a dog is identified with a microchip other than an AVID encrypted transponder it will have to be re-chipped at the owner's expense
Important RequirementsThe requirements vary depending on which from group of countries the pet is travelling. Group One CountriesPets travelling from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Hawaii are normally exempt from quarantine. Animals arriving from these Group One countries must be accompanied by the following certification (one per animal):
Cats and dogs less than two months old or more than four weeks pregnant must not be imported. Dogs of five months or older will be vaccinated against rabies on arrival, and if necessary licensed and microchipped at the owner's expense.
Group Two CountriesPets coming from Group Two countries may also be exempt from quarantine, however, as the rabies status or other factors may change in these countries/places, the list is subject to ongoing review.
Animals arriving from Group Two countries must be accompanied by the following certification (one per animal):
Cats and dogs less than two months old or more than four weeks pregnant must not be imported. Cats and dogs less than five months of age will be kept under quarantine until over five months old. All cats and dogs older than five months will be vaccinated against rabies on arrival.
Group Three CountriesCats and dogs travelling from countries other than Groups One and Two (this includes China and the Philippines) are subject to a minimum four-month quarantine period. They must be accompanied by the following (one per animal):
Cats and dogs less than two months old or more than four weeks pregnant must not be imported. Cats and dogs of five months of age or older will be vaccinated against rabies on arrival and again prior to release from quarantine; dogs will be licensed and microchipped at the owner's expense before release.
Quarantine KennelsIt is recommended that the quarantine kennel is booked at least three months in advance. There are two government quarantine kennels:
Disability Assistance DogsDisability Assistance Dogs, such as guide dogs, are exempt from quarantine and the requirement of six months' residency in the country of export on the basis of one blood test for the rabies antibody. This applies to dogs coming from all groups of countries. Restricted BreedsThe following may not be imported into Hong Kong:
Other PetsTo bring other pets, such as reptiles or rodents, into Hong Kong it is also necessary to apply for a Special Permit from the AFCD. They will require a health certificate issued not more than 14 days before departure stating that the animal is healthy and free of infectious disease or injury. BirdsBirds, including poultry, may not be brought into Hong Kong without a special permit. However due to the recent outbreak of Avian influenza there is a temporary suspension of the import of birds and poultry from the following countries: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Russian Federation, The Republic of Kazakhstan, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Cote d'Ivoire, Japan, Pendleton County, West Virginia, USA (July 2006). Members of the public should not import birds into Hong Kong; there are penalties for non compliance.
Leaving the CountryTo take a pet out of Hong Kong, it is necessary to obtain a Health Certificate approved by the AFCD from a local vet. Pet Carriers
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This is the "Pet Travel and Moving to Hong Kong with Animals" INFOrmation Page at AngloINFO Hong Kong. AngloINFO Hong Kong's INFOrmation Pages provide an online encyclopaedia covering all aspects of "Life in Hong Kong, in English!". AngloINFO Hong Kong is your Hong Kong information source, for everyone living in Hong Kong or moving to Hong Kong, covering everything from the Hong Kong property and real estate contacts you need before and during your move to China, to all aspects of everyday life in the Hong Kong international community for those living their lives in China. » Find out more about AngloINFO in China | ||||||||||||||||||||||
