Export Live Animals to China

Last Modified: April 26, 2024

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For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Digital endorsement for SOME COMMODITIES ONLY

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Save Time and Money With VEHCS!

USDA-accredited veterinarians can submit health certificates for electronic signature through VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System).

Beijing is not currently allowing the importation of aquatic animals. Please arrange for aquatic animals to arrive at a different Chinese port of entry. Other animals are now allowed entry. 

Summary of Requirements

(1) Only the below People’s Republic of China (PRC) health certificates are approved for bovine semen and embryos from USA to PRC. When filing the health certificate form, please use the Tab key to move from field to field. Do not use the Enter key.

The below protocols and health certificates are only intended for US-resident cattle producing semen and/or in vivo embryos.

Please note, before bovine semen and embryos are eligible for export, the collection facilities must be inspected by Chinese officials.

(2) Current List of China-Approved Bovine Embryo and Semen Collection and Production Facilities (135.18 KB) - January 2015 to Current

As of March 9, 2011, China requires temporary attestation for novel A/H1N1 flu (additional document required). As of August 1, 2014, China requires negative PCR test results for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) and porcine delta coronavirus (PDCoV) during quarantine (additional document required as of January 2022).

NOTE: China will NOT ALLOW live poultry from the following States:  

  • The State of Alabama on or after October 27, 2023.
  • The State of Alaska on or after October 5, 2022.
  • The State of Arkansas on or after October 7, 2022.
  • The State of California on or after August 22, 2022.
  • The State of Colorado on or after April 8, 2022.
  • The State of Florida on or after October 14, 2022.
  • The State of Georgia on or after November 21, 2023.
  • The State of Idaho on or after April 14, 2022.
  • The State of Illinois on or after November 30, 2022. 
  • The State of Indiana on or after February 8, 2022.
  • The State of Iowa on or after March 6, 2022.
  • The State of Kansas on or after March 11, 2022.
  • The State of Maryland on or after November 21, 2023.
  • The State of Michigan on or after April 13, 2022.
  • The State of Minnesota on or after March 25, 2022.
  • The State of Mississippi on or after November 4, 2022. 
  • The State of Missouri on or after March 4, 2022.
  • The State of Montana on or after April 7, 2022.
  • The State of Nebraska on or after March 22, 2022.
  • The State of Nevada on or after October 17, 2022. 
  • The State of New Hampshire on or after September 23, 2022. 
  • The State of New Jersey on or after May 17, 2022. 
  • The State of New Mexico on or after April 12, 2024.
  • The State of New York on or after March 23, 2022.
  • The State of North Carolina on or after February 9, 2024.
  • The State of North Dakota on or after March 29, 2022.
  • The State of Ohio on or after September 3, 2022.
  • The State of Oregon on or after May 17, 2022. 
  • The State of Pennsylvania on or after April 15, 2022.
  • The State of South Dakota on or after March 5, 2022.
  • The State of Tennessee on or after September 15, 2022.
  • The State of Texas on or after April 2, 2024.
  • The State of Utah on or after April 25, 2022.
  • The State of Virginia on or after January 19, 2023.
  • The State of Washington on or after May 5, 2022. 
  • The State of Wisconsin on or after March 14, 2022.

China does not allow live poultry exports from U.S. states they consider HPAI affected (as listed above). Please modify health certificates to exclude all states currently banned, such as;

  1. The United States of America officially confirms that commercial chicken flocks are free from highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (except Indiana and Kentucky), viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease, and plague of gosling.

For all other aquatic animal exports, see information below. 

APHIS Registered Aquaculture Export Facility approval is required.

U.S. origin crustaceans and finfish aquaculture facilities must also be included on China’s approval list in order for APHIS to endorse export health certificates: Annex 3 List of Registered Aquatic Animals Breeding Companies in the U.S. for Export to China

Note: When visiting the website listed above, do not translate the page into English, but click on the 19th line, 美国输华水生动物注册登记企业名单.zip  

Only those U.S. origin aquatic animal species listed below have market access and are approved for export from the United States to China:

For exports of U.S. origin aquatic species that are not included on the lists above, the Chinese importer should contact the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) to request a special import permit. 

Pets

Visit the APHIS Pet Travel Website for information about exporting your pets.
 

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.

Need Help?

Export Trade Services (by State)

APHIS has animal health officials available nationwide with expertise in export requirements for animals. Contact your nearest office for questions about endorsing an export or health certificate for live animals. 

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