China (CN)

China is one of the world's largest economies and most important expat destinations, combining global business hubs such as Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou with deep history, fast infrastructure, and a highly digital daily-life ecosystem.

Capital: Beijing

Region: Asia

Language: Mandarin Chinese

Currency: CNY (RMB)

Cost of living: Affordable (index 50)

Emergency: 110

Bringing Pets to China

Requirements, costs and process for relocating with your pets.

Microchip

Required

Health certificate

Required

Import permit

Not required

Quarantine

Not required

Vaccinations

Rabies — TWO lifetime vaccinations required; both must be documented; current vaccination must be valid at time of arrival; China does not recognise multi-year (3-year) vaccines — annual rabies vaccination records required Rabies antibody titre test (RVNAT/FAVN) — required for pets from non-designated countries: blood drawn at least 30 days after most recent rabies vaccination; valid 12 months from blood draw date. Not required for pets from designated (rabies-controlled) countries. Dogs: distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis/adenovirus, parainfluenza, leptospirosis (recommended) Cats: calicivirus, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis/herpesvirus, feline leukemia (recommended)

Restricted Breeds

No national breed ban, but city-level restrictions apply in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and others. Large breeds (above a local size limit) may be prohibited from registration in central urban districts.

Plus Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds — airlines routinely refuse to transport them as cargo in summer heat.

💰 Costs

Microchip: RMB 100–500. Rabies vaccination: RMB 100–300. Rabies titre test (at approved overseas laboratory): USD/EUR 100–300. Health certificate and government endorsement: USD 50–200. Airline cargo: USD 500–2,500+ depending on route and size. Local dog registration: RMB 500–2,000/year depending on city and district.

🐕 Dog Tax / Registration

No national annual dog tax, but most Chinese cities require annual dog registration fees (RMB 500–2,000/year) and restrict households to one dog in many urban districts. Large breeds above the city size limit may not be registrable in central areas.

Register with a local veterinary clinic shortly after arrival. Transfer vaccination records to the Chinese vet. Annual rabies boosters are required — keep records current for registration renewals and compound/building checks.

📋 Relocation Process

1. Determine whether your origin country is a GACC-designated (rabies-controlled) country. Designated list includes: Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Ireland, UK, Japan, Singapore, and others — check the current GACC list before planning. 2. Implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip before first rabies vaccination. 3. Administer rabies vaccination. If from a non-designated country: wait at least 30 days, then arrange a rabies titre test at a GACC-approved laboratory. 4. Ensure two lifetime rabies vaccinations are documented (China requires evidence of primary course). 5. Obtain official veterinary health certificate from your origin country's government veterinary authority, endorsed by GACC-authorised procedures. 6. Enter through a GACC-equipped port (major international airports with veterinary inspection). 7. Register the dog with the local police or urban management (chengguan) authority and obtain the annual dog tag within the required window after arrival.

China pet import rules are among the most documentation-intensive in the world. Non-compliant pets face 30-day facility quarantine at the owner's full cost. Some airlines will not transport brachycephalic breeds or any pets during hot summer months — verify with your specific carrier well in advance. Large dogs may be impossible to register in central urban districts. Start preparations 3–6 months before travel for non-designated country pets due to the titre test waiting period.