Pet Travel from the UK to Taiwan: Dog & Cat Import Requirements

Step 1 – Microchip

Your dog or cat must be identified with a microchip.

Make sure the microchip can be successfully scanned and that the number is recorded correctly on your pet's veterinary records, rabies vaccination certificate and subsequent travel documentation.

We recommend having the microchip checked well in advance of travel so that any problems can be identified before applying for the import permit.

Step 2 – Rabies Vaccination

Your pet must have a valid inactivated rabies vaccination.

There are several important timing requirements:

• Your pet must be at least 90 days old when the qualifying rabies vaccination is administered.

• The vaccination must be given at least 30 days before entering Taiwan.

• The vaccination must have been given no more than 1 year before entering Taiwan.

• The vaccine must be an inactivated rabies vaccine.

A rabies vaccination administered before the pet reaches 90 days of age does not meet this requirement.

What if my pet has a three-year rabies vaccination?

This is particularly important for pets travelling from the UK.

Although some rabies vaccines administered in the UK have a licensed duration of immunity longer than one year, Taiwan requires the qualifying rabies vaccination to have been administered within the year before entry.

You should therefore check the actual vaccination date rather than relying solely on the expiry date shown in your pet's vaccination record.

Step 3 – Check the 180-Day Residency Requirement

The United Kingdom is currently recognised by Taiwan as a rabies-free country.

To use the rabies-free-country import procedure, your pet must meet the relevant residency requirement.

Pets under 180 days old

Your pet must have been continuously resident in a recognised rabies-free country since birth.

Pets 180 days old or older

Your pet must have been continuously resident in a recognised rabies-free country for at least 180 days before entering Taiwan.

If your pet has travelled to or lived in a country that Taiwan does not recognise as rabies-free during this period, the standard rabies-free-country procedure may no longer apply.

In this situation, the requirements for importation from a rabies-infected country/zone may apply instead. These requirements are different and can include a rabies antibody titre test and potentially post-entry quarantine.

If your pet has travelled outside the UK during the previous six months, we recommend checking their individual circumstances before making travel arrangements.

Step 4 – Apply for the Import Quarantine Permit

Before travelling, you must obtain an Import Quarantine Permit from Taiwan's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA).

The application should be submitted at least 20 days before your pet is due to enter Taiwan.

Applications can be made through Taiwan's online Dog/Cat Import Permit system.

You will generally need to upload:

• The importer's identification document

• A veterinarian-signed rabies vaccination certificate

• Your pet's identification and microchip information

• Details of the proposed journey and arrival in Taiwan

The rabies vaccination certificate should clearly contain the information required by Taiwan, including your pet's details, microchip number, vaccination date and vaccine information.

We recommend applying well in advance rather than leaving the application until the minimum 20-day deadline.

Official application portal: Taiwan Online Application System for Dog/Cat Import Permit

Step 5 – Arrange the Export Health Certificate

Dogs and cats travelling from Great Britain to Taiwan require an Export Health Certificate (3149EHC).

This must be completed and certified by an appropriately authorised Official Veterinarian (OV).

The certificate accompanies your pet to Taiwan and provides the Taiwanese authorities with official confirmation of your pet's identification, health, rabies vaccination and applicable residency status.

We recommend arranging your OV appointment in advance and providing your veterinarian with copies of your pet's:

• Import Quarantine Permit

• Rabies vaccination records

• Microchip details

• Relevant veterinary history

• Travel itinerary

Your OV can then review the documentation before the final certification appointment.

Step 6 – Official Veterinary Certification

Before departure, your Official Veterinarian will examine your pet and complete the 3149EHC within 2 days of departure.

The veterinary certificate provides the official information required by the Taiwanese authorities, including details such as:

• Species

• Sex

• Age

• Microchip number

• Country of export

• Exporter details

• Rabies vaccination date

• Rabies vaccine details and manufacturer

• Relevant residency declaration

The certificate will also confirm the required health information, including that your pet showed no clinical signs of rabies at the veterinary inspection.

For pets travelling under the rabies-free-country route, the appropriate residency declaration must also be certified.

The original certified Export Health Certificate must travel with your pet.

Step 7 – Check Your Route to Taiwan

Your flight route is important.

The UK Export Health Certificate guidance specifically warns that additional requirements may apply when a pet is not travelling directly from Great Britain to Taiwan.

You should therefore check the requirements for any country through which your pet will transit and confirm that the proposed route does not affect your pet's eligibility for Taiwan's rabies-free-country procedure.

Transit arrangements can be particularly important if your pet leaves the aircraft or officially enters another country during the journey.

We recommend confirming your proposed route with both your airline and the relevant authorities before booking where there is any uncertainty.

Step 8 – Prepare Your Documents for Travel

Keep your pet's original travel documents easily accessible during the journey.

For arrival in Taiwan, you should be prepared to present:

• A copy of the approved Import Quarantine Permit

• The original Export Health Certificate / government veterinary certificate

• A copy of the relevant air waybill, bill of lading or customs declaration, as applicable

Do not pack your pet's original veterinary documentation inside checked luggage where you cannot access it on arrival.

Step 9 – Arrival & Import Quarantine Inspection

When your pet arrives in Taiwan, they must be presented for import quarantine inspection at the port of entry.

The quarantine officer will check your pet and review the accompanying documentation, including the Import Quarantine Permit and original veterinary certificate.

For a pet travelling from the UK under the rabies-free-country procedure, the documentation should confirm that the pet meets the applicable 180-day residency/since-birth requirement, microchip and rabies vaccination conditions.

Provided your pet meets Taiwan's rabies-free-country requirements and the documentation is complete and accepted, the standard requirements applicable to pets from rabies-free countries will apply.

Ready to Start Your Pet’s Taiwan Travel Paperwork?

If you’re planning to travel from the UK to Taiwan with your dog or cat, we can help make the process clear, organised, and stress-free.

Complete our enquiry form and we’ll review your pet’s details, travel dates, vaccination history, and certification requirements so we can guide you through the next steps.

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