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Bringing a cat from Hong Kong to the United States

Yes — the United States has no federal import requirements for a pet cat from Hong Kong: no CDC form, no rabies vaccination proof, no microchip, age or titer rules. Your cat must appear healthy on arrival and can be inspected at the port of entry. What remains is airline paperwork and, only if you want one, an AFCD-endorsed health certificate for the flight.
None
CDC requirements
No form, no rabies proof for cats
None
Federal quarantine
Healthy cats are not quarantined
10 days
AFCD cert validity
If you take an official certificate
Any port
Entry points
No airport restriction for cats

Step-by-step checklist

Requirements — Cat · Hong Kong → the United States
StepWhat to doWhen
Do NOT copy the dog rulesCDC's country risk lists, Dog Import Form and titer rules apply to dogs only. A cat from Hong Kong needs none of them. —
Airline health certificateAirlines commonly require a vet health certificate issued shortly before the flight even when the destination country does not. In Hong Kong, a registered vet can issue one and AFCD can officially endorse it (one working day) or issue an official certificate (two working days); AFCD certificates are generally valid 10 days. Final 10 days
Rabies vaccination (recommended)Not a US federal requirement for cats, but CDC recommends it, and it keeps every other option open (including returning to Hong Kong later, where AFCD rules bite). Keep the record with you. Any time
Destination state checkA few US states have their own cat rules, and Hawaii and Guam run their own quarantine systems even for cats from the mainland. Check your destination before booking. Booking stage

Your preparation timeline

  1. 1Booking stage — Check airline certificate rules and destination state rules
  2. 2Final 10 days — Vet health certificate for the airline; AFCD endorsement if you want the official version
  3. 3Arrival — Your cat must appear healthy; officers may inspect and can require a vet exam at your expense if the cat looks ill
The mistake that causes trouble on this route: Planning a return trip on the same assumptions. Entering the US with a cat is nearly rule-free — bringing the cat back into Hong Kong is not: AFCD import rules (permit in advance, possible quarantine) apply on the way home. Arrange the return before you leave if the cat is coming back.

Costs you can plan for

There is no US federal fee for importing a pet cat. Your costs are the airline's carriage charge and any vet or AFCD certificate fees on the Hong Kong side, plus air transport.

✈️ Government rules are only half the trip. Airlines set their own pet carriage rules (crate size, breed limits, seasonal embargoes). Re-confirm carriage with your airline after you meet the rules above.

Questions people ask about this route

Does my cat need the CDC Dog Import Form?

No — despite the name being about dogs, there is no equivalent form for cats at all. CDC imposes no documentation on imported pet cats.

Will my cat be quarantined on arrival in the US?

Not if it appears healthy. Cats are subject to inspection at the port of entry and an ill-looking cat may need a vet examination at the owner's expense. Hawaii and Guam are exceptions with their own regimes.

Is an AFCD health certificate mandatory for the US?

No. It is a Hong Kong export service that airlines often find convenient, not a US requirement. A certificate from your registered vet usually satisfies the airline on its own.

Related guides

✓ Last verified: 2026-11-12

Official sources for this page

We check each rule against the exporting country's official page and the destination country's official page. If the two disagree, we show the disagreement instead of guessing.

Want a professional to run this route for you?

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