Hong Kong SAR Pet Import Requirements & Vet Timeline
Official pet import rules for bringing a dog or cat into Hong Kong SAR under AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department). Review the rule table below or pick your origin country, airline, breed, and flight date in the calculator to generate your exact paperwork schedule.
Official Hong Kong Pet Import Rules at a Glance
Summary of AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) entry rules for accompanied dogs and cats.
| Import Biosecurity Authority | AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) |
|---|---|
| Outbound Export Authority | AFCD |
| ISO Microchip Standard | ISO 11784/11785 15-digit (or AVID 9-digit scanned locally) (must be implanted on or before rabies vaccination) |
| Primary Rabies Vaccine Wait | Minimum 30 days before arrival |
| Rabies Blood Titer Test (FAVN / RNATT) | Required only when arriving from a High-Risk rabies country (90-day wait after blood draw). Exempt when flying directly from Rabies-Free or Controlled/Low-Risk countries. |
| Dog Tapeworm (Echinococcus) Treatment | Required for dogs: Praziquantel administered strictly 24–336 hours before landing |
| Health Certificate & Endorsement Window | AFCD Special Permit Form (Form No. AF240) & Health Certificate — endorsed within 14 days before departure |
| Advance Import Permit | Required (apply at least 30 days before travel) |
| Permitted Aircraft Arrival Mode | Manifest Cargo ONLY by national law (commercial cabin arrival prohibited) |
| Post-Arrival Quarantine | 0 days (immediate clearance when all pre-arrival rules are met) |
Calculate Your Hong Kong Pet Travel Timeline
Pre-set for arrival in Hong Kong SAR. Change your origin country, airline, breed, or departure date below to see your custom schedule.
Enter Your Trip & Pet Details
Choose your origin, destination, airline, breed, and target flight date to get every vet step in reverse order.
Min: 31d • Ideal: 60d
Feasible Timeline: 75 days available (31 days strict minimum)
Starting today gives you sufficient runway to complete Hong Kong's veterinary sequence, government endorsement via USDA APHIS (VEHCS), and Delta Air Lines pet booking.
Hong Kong prohibits in-cabin commercial pet arrivals. Your Golden Retriever (30 kg) is eligible to travel as Manifest Cargo via Delta Cargo Variation Live in an IATA Series 500 (102 x 69 x 76 cm). Book through an IPATA freight agent 14+ days prior to departure.
🌡️ Seasonal Temperature Advisory (January): Cargo embargo when forecasted ground temperature is above 27°C (80°F) or below 7°C (45°F) without acclimation certificate.
Step-by-Step Vet & Travel Schedule
Counting backward from USA (US) Hong Kong (HK) arrival.
📅 On or before Tue, Dec 15, 2026
Implant or scan-verify a non-encrypted ISO 11784/11785 15-digit (or AVID 9-digit scanned locally). Any rabies vaccination administered BEFORE the microchip implantation date is legally invalid for Hong Kong.
⚠️ Ensure the exact 15-digit barcode sticker is affixed to all vaccination and health certificates.
📅 No later than Wed, Dec 16, 2026
Administer WHO/WOAH-approved inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine (pet must be >= 12 weeks old). Triggers 30-day primary immunity wait required by AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department).
⚠️ Record vaccine manufacturer, product name, batch/lot number, administration date, and valid-until date.
Unlock Full Compliance Packet ($29)
See your exact hour-by-hour tapeworm treatment window, USDA APHIS (VEHCS) endorsement cutoff, Printable Vet Sign-Off PDF, and Apple/Google .ics Calendar Sync with 48-hour alerts.
- Exact 24–120h tapeworm and parasite treatment times
- Printable Vet Sign-Off & 15-Digit Microchip PDF Packet
- One-click .ics Calendar Sync with 48h advance reminders
One-time checkout via PayPal or card • Instant PDF & .ics download
Confirm requirements with a government-accredited vet before travel.
Arriving in Hong Kong SAR: Airport & Customs Checklist
- All pets must arrive as Manifest Cargo into Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Advance AFCD Special Permit strictly mandatory.
- Group I countries (UK, Australia, Japan, NZ, etc.) exempt from quarantine; Group III origins face 120-day quarantine unless special conditions met.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bringing a Pet to Hong Kong SAR
How far in advance should I start preparing to bring a dog or cat to Hong Kong SAR?
AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) recommends starting at least 60 days before travel. Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit (or AVID 9-digit scanned locally) implanted on or before its rabies vaccination, followed by a 30-day primary rabies immunity wait (plus a 90-day FAVN rabies antibody wait where applicable).
Does Hong Kong SAR require a rabies antibody blood test (FAVN / RNATT)?
Required only when arriving from a High-Risk rabies country (90-day wait after blood draw). Exempt when flying directly from Rabies-Free or Controlled/Low-Risk countries.
Can my dog or cat fly in the passenger cabin into Hong Kong SAR?
No — Hong Kong SAR mandates Manifest Cargo arrival for commercial flights under AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) biosecurity rules; pets cannot land in the passenger cabin on commercial airlines.
When must the veterinary health certificate be endorsed before flying to Hong Kong SAR?
Your government-accredited veterinarian must issue "AFCD Special Permit Form (Form No. AF240) & Health Certificate" and obtain official export authority endorsement within 14 days before departure. Dogs must also receive a Praziquantel tapeworm treatment strictly 24 to 336 hours before landing.
Popular Flight Routes into Hong Kong SAR
- 🇺🇸 Fly a Dog from USA to Hong Kong on Delta Air Lines
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- 🇩🇪 Fly a Dog from Germany to Hong Kong on Delta Air Lines
- 🇫🇷 Fly a Dog from France to Hong Kong on Delta Air Lines
- 🇨🇦 Fly a Dog from Canada to Hong Kong on Delta Air Lines
- 🇦🇺 Fly a Dog from Australia to Hong Kong on Delta Air Lines
- 🇯🇵 Fly a Dog from Japan to Hong Kong on Delta Air Lines