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Taking a Dog or Cat to Hong Kong from the UK:
Pet Travel Guide
Exporting a dog or cat from the UK to Hong Kong requires a pre-approved Special Permit, endorsed vaccination documentation, owner declarations, and an official Export Health Certificate. As Hong Kong is classified as a Group I destination for UK pets, quarantine may be waived provided all import conditions are strictly met.
Step by step guide: importing your Dog or Cat from the UK to Hong Kong
1
Check your pet is eligible to travel
Hong Kong allows the import of dogs and cats only, and pets must be at least 60 days old at the time of travel.
As the UK is an approved country, pets can enter without quarantine when all entry requirements are met. Certain dog and cat breeds may have additional restrictions, so eligibility should always be checked before proceeding.
2
Apply for an import permit
Before travel, you must obtain an Import Permit from the Hong Kong authorities.
The permit is typically issued within 5 working days, remains valid for 180 days, and must be approved before moving forward with travel arrangements.
3
Arrange transport & request the export certificate
Once the import permit is approved, transport arrangements can be made. Pets must travel as manifested cargo and follow an approved travel route.
At this stage, the official Export Health Certificate must also be requested so the export process can begin.
4
Ensure microchip & vaccinations are up to date
Your pet must have a working microchip and be up to date with all required vaccinations.
Routine vaccinations must generally be administered at least 14 days before travel and remain valid at the time of export.
5
Final veterinary appointment & certificate issuance
Once all documents have been reviewed, we carry out the final health examination and issue the official Export Health Certificate required for travel.
This appointment must take place within 14 days of departure.
6
Arrival requirements in Hong Kong
Before arrival, the Hong Kong authorities must be notified of your pet’s arrival in advance.
Your airline will also need to provide transport confirmation documents, and dogs over 5 months old will require a rabies vaccination and local licence upon arrival.