Bringing a dog or cat from Canada to China (mainland)
Under China (mainland)'s rules, pets from Canada are in the group “All other countries/regions”. A dog from Canada needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine, a rabies titer test and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. Plan for about 2 months (60 days) from the first vaccine to arrival.
About China (mainland): Quarantine-free entry is possible if you follow the rules exactly: a microchip, a health certificate, rabies vaccination, and (unless you come from one of 19 designated places) a rabies titer from a GACC-approved lab. Only one dog or cat per person per entry is allowed. Pets that don't comply get 30 days' quarantine, and only at the few ports that have quarantine facilities.
All other countries/regions Blood test
- Titer test
- Required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Not required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
Minimum preparation: about 2 months (60 days) from the first rabies vaccine to arrival.
Step by step
Microchip the pet
Use an ISO 11784/11785 chip. Implanting it before or at the same time as the rabies vaccine is recommended.
Give two rabies vaccinations
The pet needs at least two rabies vaccinations in its lifetime (inactivated or recombinant vaccine), and the current one must still be valid on arrival.
Do the rabies titer test
Draw blood on or after the date of the 2nd vaccination and send it to a GACC-recognized lab. The result must be >=0.5 IU/ml, and the test is valid for 1 year. Carry the original report plus a photocopy.
Get the official health certificate
Issued and endorsed by the export country's official veterinary authority within 14 days before arrival. It must include the chip, vaccine and titer details.
Declare on arrival
Submit the registration form and documents and have the chip scanned. A compliant pet can enter at any port with no quarantine.
30 days at a GACC-designated isolation facility if the titer report, microchip or certificates are missing or invalid. A pet that needs quarantine must enter at a port with quarantine facilities; otherwise it is returned or destroyed.
Good to know
- Cats
- Same as dogs. Only domestic dogs and cats count as pets; other species do not qualify.
- How many pets
- 1 dog or cat per person per entry. Extra pets are returned or destroyed.
- Parasite treatment
- No requirement at national level; deworming is recommended (Shanghai government guidance)
- Arrival
- A compliant pet can enter at any port. A pet that needs 30-day quarantine must use a port with isolation facilities. USDA lists these as Beijing Capital Airport, Beijing West Railway Station, Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao airports, Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai International Passenger Transport Center, Wusongkou Cruise Terminal, Urumqi Diwopu Airport, Alashankou and Guangzhou Baiyun Airport.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from Canada to China (mainland)?
Canada counts as "All other countries/regions" for China (mainland). Starting from a pet with no rabies vaccine, the minimum is about 2 months (60 days): rabies vaccine, a blood test at least 30 days later, then the waiting period before arrival.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from Canada to China (mainland)?
Yes. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccine.
Will my pet be quarantined in China (mainland)?
Not if every rule is met. 30 days at a GACC-designated isolation facility if the titer report, microchip or certificates are missing or invalid. A pet that needs quarantine must enter at a port with quarantine facilities; otherwise it is returned or destroyed.
Do I need an import permit?
No import permit is needed for pets from Canada.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Same as dogs. Only domestic dogs and cats count as pets; other species do not qualify.
Sources
- GACC Announcement [2019] No.5 (Chinese, official)
- Shanghai Government – Announcement on Further Regulating the Quarantine Supervision of Pets Brought into China
- Shanghai Government – How to bring a pet to Shanghai (designated list, titer FAQ)
- Beijing Government – GACC Announcement [2019] No.5 (English)
- USDA APHIS – Pet travel US to China (origin-side; ports list, 14-day certificate)
- Finnish Food Authority – Export to China (origin-side)
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: China (mainland) pet import rules.