Pet Travel From the United States to Hong Kong

Last Modified: June 05, 2024

Orange Banner Country

For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Original ink endorsement REQUIRED

Save Time and Money With VEHCS!

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

Learn More

Accredited veterinarians can submit health certificates for USDA endorsement electronically through VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System).

However, this country requires USDA to ink-sign and emboss the health certificate. This means the final, endorsed health certificate that travels with the animal(s) must be mailed back.

IMPORTANT: The endorsed health certificate (paper, not electronic) must accompany the shipment. The endorsed health certificate will be returned by mail (a pre-paid, pre-addressed return label must be provided during certificate submission).

VEHCS Help | VEHCS Guide | VEHCS Login

Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type

Carefully read ALL of the requirements related to your pet on this page.

This page provides the most recent entry requirements and can change without notice.
It is the responsibility of the veterinarian to make sure the pet has met all health requirements of the destination country before issuing a health certificate.
Failure to meet the requirements may result in problems gaining certificate endorsement or difficulties upon arrival in the destination country.
Health certificates must be legible, accurate, and complete.

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” drop down menu.

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

All health certificates for non-commercial shipments (i.e., pets) of small animals (excluding dogs, cats, chinchillas, and birds) do not need to be endorsed by an APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer if it has been issued by a private USDA Accredited Veterinarian. Health certificates must be issued within 14 days of departure.

APHIS endorsement of the health certificates for pet dogs, cats, chinchillas, and birds is required after it has been issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian within 14 days of departure.

Effective January 18, 2022, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong has temporarily suspended the import of commercial (non-pet) rodents and lagomorphs from all countries.

Dogs and Cats

Hong Kong has provided a website that contains helpful information related to pet travel. Please note an import permit is required prior to travel to Hong Kong. You will need to review these sites carefully as well as all information included in the import permit to ensure that all of the requirements for Hong Kong are met.

Overview of Hong Kong's travel requirements and import permit application process.

APHIS endorsement of the health certificate is required after it has been issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian.

Health Certificates

For animals traveling from the continental U.S. (71.58 KB) (71.58 KB)

For animals traveling from Hawaii ONLY (42.69 KB)

Additional information for pets originating from Hawaii:

Pets that originate from Hawaii but are being located in the continental US prior to export are required to use the health certificate associated with the continental US.
Animals that are transiting the continental US from Hawaii, i.e. changing planes and not exiting the plane/cargo area, may continue to use the requirements for Hawaii.

In both cases, the owner/agent must contact AFCD for further information prior to any travel arrangements, as additional dispensation +/- certification/declaration may be required to allow for the pet to enter Hong Kong.

Chinchillas

Health certificates for U.S. origin pet chinchillas to Hong Kong must be signed by the animal’s owner in Part A, issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian (referred to as the “official / registered veterinary surgeon”) in Part B, and endorsed by an APHIS Veterinarian (the “full time Government Veterinary Officer”) in Part C, within 14 days of departure.

All statements in Parts B and C must be true, and pet chinchillas for export must be captive-bred and over 12 weeks of age at the time of departure.

For export of other pet rodents, please visit Hong Kong's Web-site to learn more about importing these pets.

International Health Certificate (348.69 KB)

Turtles and Reptiles

Visit Hong Kong's Web-site to learn more about importing these pets;

Pet animals (excluding dogs and cats) may be sent on the health certificate provided by Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) or an APHIS Form 7001 health certificate (438.86 KB) that includes the stated requirements for the appropriate species as listed on the AFCD website and import permit.

Birds

APHIS endorsement of the health certificates for pet birds is required after it has been issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian within 14 days of departure

Visit Hong Kong's web-site to learn more about importing pet birds.

Other Pets

For pet travel requirements not listed, APHIS has not been officially informed by the foreign country about the requirements for your pet’s travel. We recommend that you contact a government official of the country you are traveling to for more information.

Country of Destination Contact Information

World Organisation for Animal Health: Members

U.S. Department of State: Foreign Embassies and Consulates

Important Travel Considerations

Considerations for airline travel and cruises:

Airlines and shipping lines have their own policies and requirements for transporting pets. Check with your airline or shipping representative to determine what requirements they may have.

Learn how you can improve the safety of dogs and cats during air travel.

View additional information for pet owners, airlines, and others about APHIS endorsement of international health certificates.

If pets or support animals accompany you on a cruise, you must comply with entry rules for every country or port where your pet or support animal exits the ship.

Will you be returning to the United States with your pet?

View APHIS Requirements

ALERT: If you're traveling with a dog, be aware that the CDC has additional requirements for bringing a dog into the United States. You must follow CDC's requirements, or your dog will not be allowed to enter the United States.

If you are transiting (passing through) the European Union:

If your pet is traveling through (transiting) a country in the European Union (EU) on the way to a third, non-EU country, you will also need a transit health certificate for your pet for the EU. The transit health certificate will be the same as if your pet’s final destination was the EU country. Use the information and steps above under “Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type” to determine which health certificate should be used. View a list of EU countries.

Need Help?

Read an overview of the process for taking your pet to another country and related resources.

View frequently asked questions about traveling with your pet.

Still Have Questions?

All Contacts

Looking for Another Country?

Find your destination country requirements by using the dropdown menu below. If your country is not listed in the menu, visit Pet Travel: Unknown Requirements.