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Taking a pet out of China
There is no single rulebook for leaving China — the destination country sets the requirements, so the papers, tests and waiting periods depend on where you are going. Below are the 8 routes from China we have verified so far, covering Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Every route page is checked against two official sources — the destination government's import rules and the export guidance for leaving China — and carries its own "last verified" date. How early you need to start depends on the route; see how far in advance to prepare, and how we check every rule.
Dogs leaving China
Dog: China → the United States
Yes — but mainland China is on the CDC's high-risk list for dog rabies, so a China-vaccinated dog takes the strictest US entry route: a government-endorsed foreign vaccination certification, a rabies titer from a CDC-approved laboratory (or 28 days of quarantine), a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility, and arrival at one of only 8 airports. Start at least 60 days ahead — realistically 2–3 months. Note: CDC's list names 'China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan)', so this page is about mainland departures.
Strict rulesDog: China → the United Kingdom
Yes — but China is a non-listed country for Great Britain, so on top of a microchip and rabies vaccination your dog needs a rabies blood (titer) test at an EU-approved laboratory and a full 3-month wait from the blood sampling date before it can enter. Add the GB pet health certificate and the 24–120-hour tapeworm treatment, and plan about 4 months from vaccination to arrival.
Strict rulesDog: China → Australia
No — not directly. China is a non-approved country for Australia: dogs cannot be imported from China at all, on any paperwork. The only lawful route is to relocate your dog to an approved country first (Hong Kong, which Australia classes as Group 3, is the usual choice), have it live there continuously for at least 180 days immediately before export, and then complete Australia's full Group 3 protocol from that country — every vaccination and test must be done in the approved country; anything done in China does not count.
Simple rulesDog: China → Canada
Yes — for a personal pet, Canada asks for essentially one document from China: a valid rabies vaccination certificate in English or French (or with an official translation). No titer test, no import permit, no quarantine. The heavier paperwork on this route is leaving China: the Customs exit-quarantine process and its Animal Health Certificate. Note this page covers personal pets only — commercial dogs from high-risk rabies countries have been banned from Canada since 2022.
Cats leaving China
Cat: China → the United States
Yes — and far more simply than for dogs. The CDC's high-risk system applies to dogs only: the United States has no federal import requirements for a pet cat from China — no CDC form, no rabies vaccination proof, no microchip, age or titer rules. Your cat must simply appear healthy on arrival and can be inspected at the port. The paperwork that does exist on this route is on the China side: the Customs exit-quarantine process and its Animal Health Certificate.
Strict rulesCat: China → the United Kingdom
Yes — but China is a non-listed country for Great Britain, so on top of a microchip and rabies vaccination your cat needs a rabies blood (titer) test at an EU-approved laboratory and a full 3-month wait from the blood sampling date before it can enter. With the GB pet health certificate on top, plan about 4 months from vaccination to arrival. Unlike dogs, cats need no tapeworm treatment.
Strict rulesCat: China → Australia
No — not directly. China is a non-approved country for Australia: cats cannot be imported from China at all, on any paperwork. The only lawful route is to relocate your cat to an approved country first (Hong Kong, which Australia classes as Group 3, is the usual choice), have it live there continuously for at least 180 days immediately before export, and then complete Australia's full Group 3 protocol from that country — every vaccination and test must be done in the approved country; anything done in China does not count.
Simple rulesCat: China → Canada
Yes — for a personal pet, Canada asks for essentially one document from China: a valid rabies vaccination certificate written in English or French. No titer test, no import permit, no quarantine. The heavier paperwork on this route is leaving China: the Customs exit-quarantine process and its Animal Health Certificate.