Taiwan (TW)
A safe, democratic, tech-forward island with excellent public healthcare, dense transit, world-class food culture, and a strong base for East Asia.
Bringing Pets to Taiwan
Requirements, costs and process for relocating with your pets.
Quarantine duration: 7 days home quarantine at an approved quarantine station (CAS, Container Animal Station, at point of entry) for dogs and cats from qualifying countries who meet all document/titer requirements and have the import permit. If documents are incomplete, the titer result is below threshold, or timing rules are not met: quarantine extends to 21 days at BAPHIQ-designated facilities. Estimated quarantine cost: NT$5,000–18,000 per pet for a 7-day stay (includes facility fee, veterinary inspection, and official handling); longer stays proportionally higher. Quarantine facilities are located at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH).
Vaccinations
Restricted Breeds
Plus Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds (French Bulldog, English Bulldog, Pug, Persian cat, etc.) may be restricted or refused by airlines during summer months — check airline cargo policies independently.
💰 Costs
Itemised cost estimate per dog or cat from a Category 2/3 country (e.g., EU, US, UK, Australia): Microchip implantation (if not already done): NT$300–800 at a vet. Rabies vaccination course: NT$500–1,500 per vaccine. RVNA titer test at recognised lab: NT$2,000–5,000 (lab fee; Taiwan-recognised labs include IDEXX, Animalcare Ltd, Kansas State University — check BAPHIQ approved lab list). Home-country official health certificate (USDA/APHIS, CITES/DEFRA, EU official vet endorsement): government endorsement fee NT$500–3,000 equivalent depending country. Import permit application (BAPHIQ, baphiq.gov.tw/baphiq/en): NT$300–500. Airline pet-in-cargo or cabin fee: NT$2,000–8,000+ depending airline, route, and pet weight. 7-day quarantine at CAS: NT$5,000–18,000 (facility, inspection, handling). Total per pet estimate: NT$12,000–40,000 for a standard qualifying case; budget NT$40,000–80,000 if quarantine extends or multiple vet visits needed. Add NT$5,000–20,000 if using a pet relocation agent.
🐕 Dog Tax / Registration
No national dog tax. Dogs must be registered with the local government Animal Protection Office (動物保護處) within 30 days of acquiring the dog or moving. Registration requires: microchip, rabies vaccination certificate, owner ID/ARC. Annual renewal of rabies vaccination required by law (Animal Protection Act Article 22). Unregistered or unvaccinated dogs: fine NT$3,000–15,000 under Animal Protection Act.
After quarantine release: visit a local vet within the first 2 weeks to establish a healthcare relationship. Register your dog microchip with the city Animal Protection Office (動物保護處) — in Taipei: tcapo.gov.taipei; New Taipei: naph.ntpc.gov.tw. Bring: pet's passport/vaccination records, your ARC, microchip certificate. Recommended first vet visit items: parasite prevention (heartworm is prevalent in Taiwan's humid climate — monthly preventive medication strongly recommended), flea/tick treatment, check local disease risks (leptospirosis, ehrlichia). Vet costs: routine visit NT$300–800; annual vaccinations NT$1,000–2,500; parasite prevention NT$200–600/month.
📋 Relocation Process
Start at least 6 months (ideally 9–12 months) before your target travel date. Step 1: Microchip your pet (ISO 15-digit chip, 134.2 kHz standard). Step 2: Administer rabies vaccination (must be after microchip; valid if pet is >3 months old at time of vaccination). Step 3: Conduct RVNA titer test at a BAPHIQ-recognised laboratory 30+ days after the rabies vaccination. Step 4: If titer ≥0.5 IU/mL, begin 180-day waiting period. Step 5: Apply for import permit from BAPHIQ (baphiq.gov.tw/baphiq/en/index.aspx) — allow 30 days processing; requires: passport copy, pet microchip number, vaccination records, titer result, veterinary health certificate from home country. Step 6: Obtain official export health certificate from a government-authorised vet in your home country within 10 days of departure (must include microchip confirmation, rabies vaccination status, titer result, and general health status). Step 7: Book airline cargo (or cabin if pet qualifies) with written confirmation; most airlines require booking at least 2–4 weeks in advance for pets. Step 8: Arrive at Taoyuan (TPE) or Kaohsiung (KHH) airport — present all documents to BAPHIQ quarantine officer. Pet is transferred to CAS quarantine facility for 7 days (or longer if issues). Step 9: After quarantine clearance, register dog microchip with local Animal Protection Office (動物保護處) within 30 days of collection.
Taiwan is a rabies-free territory as of 2013 (except for wild ferret-badgers on the main island — confirmed cases in recent years do not affect the pet import category, but all import requirements remain strict). BAPHIQ (Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, 動植物防疫檢疫署) is the sole authority: baphiq.gov.tw/baphiq/en. Do not rely solely on foreign veterinary advice — confirmed the latest BAPHIQ requirements directly with them before any vet action, as rules have changed multiple times. A specialist pet relocation agent (e.g., Jetpets, IPATA members) can reduce errors but adds NT$15,000–50,000+ to costs. Importing birds, reptiles, fish and other species has separate and often stricter CITES and BAPHIQ requirements — research individually.