Export Live Animals to Hong Kong

Last Modified: July 22, 2026

Electronic Signature and Digital Endorsement ACCEPTED

For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Digital endorsement ACCEPTED

USDA-accredited veterinarians can electronically issue health certificates and use VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System) to submit them to USDA for digital endorsement.

USDA can digitally endorse the health certificate and return it electronically.

Live Animal Export Country Requirements

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Summary of Requirements

For Hong Kong importation information, go to Import of Animals and Birds.

For all health certificates submitted through VEHCS for shipments of U.S.-origin animals and germplasm that are only transiting Hong Kong, select the Hong Kong (Transit) option from the “Country of Destination” dropdown menu.

For animals and germplasm that are destined for export to Hong Kong, first you must first select Country Not Listed from the “Country of Destination” dropdown menu, and then select Hong Kong from the full list of destination countries.

All health certificates for export of livestock, poultry, and birds must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by an APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer within 14 days of departure.

View Hong Kong licensing requirements and import license information.

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Laboratory test reports/results are required for equine entry.

Importers of live swine into Hong Kong must apply for import permit from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.  

For any current restriction on live birds/poultry, check the Temporary Restrictions under the "Reminder" heading at Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department website.  Transit of day-old chicks is exempt for countrywide HPAI bans and require State or compartment freedom per the below posted sample health certificate. 

For any current restriction on live birds/poultry origin or transits, check the Temporary Restrictions under the "Reminder" heading at Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department website. 

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Hong Kong does not have any import requirements for aquatic animals, except for endangered species under CITES. The importation requirements for endangered species, including those aquatic animals, are available at Licensing and Inspection.

Visit Hong Kong's website to learn more about importing these animals.

Health certificates for animals for research and laboratory purposes must be issued by the USDA-accredited veterinarian that is in charge of the research animal colony of origin and endorsed by an APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer within 14 days of departure.

Any GMOs being imported must be accompanied by the GMO Documentation for Import and Export per Hong Kong Regulation, Cap 607A. The GMO documentation does not need to be incorporated into the APHIS-endorsed health certificate or endorsed by APHIS.

Health certificates for the export of commercial shipments of U.S.-origin animals must be issued by a private USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by an APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer within 14 days of departure.

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If your species is not listed, the requirements for that species are not known. Exporters who want to ship livestock or germplasm whose requirements are not listed above should have the importer or buyer in the destination country apply for an import permit at the appropriate ministry. This import permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.

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