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Taking a pet out of Taiwan
There is no single rulebook for leaving Taiwan — the destination country sets the requirements, so the papers, tests and waiting periods depend on where you are going. Below are the 6 routes from Taiwan we have verified so far, covering Canada, Japan 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 Taiwan — 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 Taiwan
Dog: Taiwan → the United States
Yes — and this is one of the easier long-haul routes. Taiwan is not on the CDC's high-risk list for dog rabies, so your dog enters on the low-risk pathway: a free CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a microchip a universal scanner can read, at least 6 months of age, and a healthy arrival. The step people miss is on the USDA side: Taiwan is on APHIS's screwworm-affected list, so the dog also needs a government screwworm inspection certificate dated within 5 days before shipment.
Strict rulesDog: Taiwan → Japan
Yes — but do not be misled by the short flight. Japan treats Taiwan as a non-designated region: MAFF's current designated (rabies-free) list has only six entries — Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii and Guam — and Taiwan is not one of them. A dog from Taiwan therefore follows the full non-designated procedure: microchip, two rabies vaccinations, a titer test at a designated laboratory, a 180-day wait, and a 40-day advance notification. Start about 7 months before you travel; arriving early means your dog waits out the remaining days in a quarantine facility.
Simple rulesDog: Taiwan → Canada
Yes — Canada is the simplest destination on this page for a personal pet. Taiwan sits in the middle of CFIA's classifications: it is not one of the nine countries Canada recognises as rabies-free, and it is not on Canada's high-risk-for-dog-rabies list either. So a dog aged 3 months or older from Taiwan needs one core document — a valid rabies vaccination certificate in English or French from a licensed vet — with no titer test, no import permit for a personal pet, and no quarantine.
Cats leaving Taiwan
Cat: Taiwan → the United States
Yes — federally, this is the lightest route on this page. CDC requires only that a cat appear healthy on arrival: no CDC import form, no rabies vaccination proof, and USDA APHIS Veterinary Services states it has no animal-health requirements at all for pet cats entering the US. The paperwork you will actually handle is Taiwan-side (APHIA's export inspection and certificate, which airlines also expect) plus any rule of your destination state.
Strict rulesCat: Taiwan → Japan
Yes — but do not be misled by the short flight. Japan treats Taiwan as a non-designated region: MAFF's current designated (rabies-free) list has only six entries — Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii and Guam — and Taiwan is not one of them. A cat from Taiwan therefore follows the full non-designated procedure: microchip, two rabies vaccinations, a titer test at a designated laboratory, a 180-day wait, and a 40-day advance notification. Start about 7 months before you travel; arriving early means your cat waits out the remaining days in a quarantine facility.
Simple rulesCat: Taiwan → Canada
Yes — Canada is the simplest destination on this page for a personal pet. Taiwan sits in the middle of CFIA's classifications: it is not one of the nine countries Canada recognises as rabies-free, and it is not on Canada's high-risk-for-dog-rabies list either. So a cat aged 3 months or older from Taiwan needs one core document — a valid rabies vaccination certificate in English or French from a licensed vet — with no titer test, no import permit for a personal pet, and no quarantine.