Pet Travel From the United States to Taiwan

Last Modified: December 03, 2024

Electronic Signature ACCEPTED; Original Ink Endorsement REQUIRED

For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Original ink endorsement REQUIRED

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

USDA must ink-sign and emboss the health certificate.

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.
     
  1. The dog or cat to be imported shall have been at least 90 days old, implanted with a microchip, and vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days (but no more than 1 year) prior to shipment.
  2. The dog/cat has been sampled not less than 90 days and not more than 1 years prior to shipment using a neutralization antibody titration test with a titer of at least 0.5 IU/ml rabies antibodies in the blood. The test has been carried out in a rabies reference laboratory of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) or a laboratory designated by the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) of Taiwan.*
  3. * Kansas State Rabies Laboratory, Kansas (FAVN), or Department of Defense Laboratory, Veterinary Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory, Texas (FAVN), or Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology, Virology Laboratory (FAVN)
  4. The importer shall apply for an import permit and make a reservation of the post-entry quarantine space from animal quarantine authority at the port of entry at least 20 days prior to shipment by submitting the following documents:
    • Veterinarian issued rabies vaccination certificate
    • Civil identification card of the importer. If the importer is not a resident and thus not registered in Taiwan, the other personal identification documents shall be provided (e.g. passport). If you are traveling with a guide dog for the visually impaired, please have your guide dog certification available
    • Rabies antibody titer test results showing a titer of at least 0.5IU/mL
  5. On arrival of the dog or cat at the port of entry, the importer shall apply to the branch of BAPHIQ (animal quarantine authority) for quarantine inspection and submit the import permit, original veterinary certificate issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, and bill of lading or customs declaration form. Importing a dog or cat without an original veterinary certificate in compliance with the above noted requirements shall be refused entry, or destroyed.
  6. When conducting the quarantine inspection, BAPHIQ (animal quarantine authority) will check the veterinary certificate and detain the dog or cat at the designated post-entry quarantine location for 7 days. During quarantine detention, the blood of the dog or cat will be sampled and tested again for rabies antibody. If the rabies antibody is under 0.5IU/mL, the dog or cat shall be revaccinated with an inactivated rabies vaccine.

Veterinary Health Certificate (29.07 KB)

Note: Taiwan will not accept health certificates generated on State health certificate forms. The use of the health certificate provided is required.

  1. The dog or cat to be imported shall have been at least 90 days old, implanted with a microchip, and vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days (but no more than 1 year) prior to shipment.
  2. The importer shall apply for an import permit and make a reservation of the post-entry quarantine space from animal quarantine authority at the port of entry at least 20 days prior to shipment by submitting the following documents:
    • Veterinarian issued rabies vaccination certificate
    • Civil identification card of the importer. If the importer is not a resident and thus not registered in Taiwan, the other personal identification documents shall be provided (e.g. passport).
    • If you are traveling with a guide dog for the visually impaired, please have your guide dog certification available
      NOTE: Review the import permit thoroughly to ensure it reflects accurate information about the pet (Ex: correct gender). The veterinary health certificate and import permit must match prior to issuance and endorsement of the certificate.
  3. On arrival of the dog or cat at the port of entry, the importer shall apply to the branch of BAPHIQ (animal quarantine authority) for quarantine inspection and submit the import permit, original veterinary certificate issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, and bill of lading or customs declaration form. Importing a dog or cat without an original veterinary certificate in compliance with the above noted requirements shall be refused entry, or destroyed.
  4. For re-import of the dog or cat that has been exported from Taiwan to Hawaii for less than 6 months, the importer shall apply for an import permit at least 20 days prior to shipment and submit an application and the photocopy of the export veterinary certificate of Taiwan to BAPHIQ (animal quarantine authority) at the port of entry in Taiwan. The importer shall also apply for quarantine inspection on arrival of the exporting country, which is accompanied with the re-imported dog or cat shall be in compliance with all above mentioned protocol and attest that “the dog (or cat) never traveled to a third country since it arrived in this country”.

Veterinary Health Certificate (Hawaii) (28.22 KB)

Veterinary Health Certificate (Guam) (30.51 KB) 

Note: Taiwan will not accept health certificates generated on State health certificate forms. The use of the health certificate provided is required.

Additional information can be found at BAPHIQ website

Note: Please check Taiwan's website to verify if your state has been removed from the list of Avian Influenza fee states and therefore may not currently send pet birds to Taiwan.

Please check with your Veterinary Export Trade Services (VETS) Endorsement Office to receive the current health certificate and confirm the bird will be allowed entry. 

The requirements for traveling with your pet are described in the health certificate. APHIS endorsement of the health certificate is required after it has been issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian.

Veterinary Health Certificate - Available Upon Request

Requirements known for tortoises only.  Additional information for traveling with your pet are described in the health certificate.

Health certificate for 4 or less tortoises (36.67 KB)

Health certificate for 5 or more tortoises (111.72 KB)

Requirements for traveling with your pet are described in the health certificate. APHIS endorsement of the health certificate is required after it has been issued by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian.
 
NOTE: Rabbits of the genus Lepus are not allowed entry.

Health certificate for Rabbits (419.33 KB)

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 (239.52 KB).

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?

Still Have Questions?

USDA-Accredited Veterinarians

Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country's entry requirements for pets (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments) and for issuance of health certificates.

Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian

USDA Endorsement Offices

Contact your nearest APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services Endorsement Office for questions about endorsing a health certificate for pets. 

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.