Bringing a dog or cat from Canada to Hong Kong
Under Hong Kong's rules, pets from Canada are in the group “Group II (rabies under effective control)”. A dog from Canada needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine, an import permit and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.
About Hong Kong: Every dog and cat needs an AFCD Special Permit and must arrive as manifested cargo. Pets from Group I and II places can skip quarantine if every condition is met. Group IIIA (including Mainland China, Macao, Malaysia and Thailand) does 30 days of quarantine after a titer test. Everyone else (Group IIIB) does at least 120 days.
Group II (rabies under effective control) Paperwork only
- Titer test
- Not required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
No long wait: No titer. Give the rabies vaccine at least 30 days and no more than 1 year before export. The pet must have lived 180 days in the export country, with no rabies cases (except in bats) within 10 km in that time.
Step by step
Microchip the pet
Use an ISO or AVID chip. The number must match all certificates.
Vaccinate against rabies and core diseases
Give the rabies vaccine 30 days to 1 year before export; a first-ever rabies shot must be at 90 days of age or older. Give core vaccines (DHP for dogs, FVRCP for cats) 14 days to 1 year before export.
Get an AFCD Special Permit
Apply with AF240 and UN110 (HK$432 plus HK$102 per extra animal). The permit is valid 6 months.
Health and residence certificates
Get the VC-DC2 health certificate within 14 days of export, plus the residence and rabies vaccination certificates, endorsed by the government vet.
Fly as manifested cargo
Take the most direct route. A stopover in a Group III place needs prior approval. Notify AFCD at least 24 hours before arrival.
May be exempt from quarantine if fully compliant. Pets without proper documents face at least 4 months' quarantine or are sent back.
Good to know
- Cats
- Same groups and steps as dogs. Cats need panleukopenia and cat-flu vaccines instead of the dog core vaccines. The rule that dogs 5 months or older must be rabies-vaccinated and licensed on arrival applies only to dogs. Bengal cats must be documented as 5th generation or later.
- Banned breeds
- Pit Bull Terrier (American Staffordshire Terrier), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Crosses of the above, Staffordshire Bull Terrier needs a statutory declaration (not banned), Bengal cats earlier than 5th generation
- How many pets
- Not specified (one permit can cover several animals in one shipment)
- Parasite treatment
- Not specified on the pages checked
- Arrival
- Hong Kong International Airport, as manifested cargo only (no cabin or excess baggage, except approved assistance dogs). AFCD airport offices at the cargo terminals operate 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from Canada to Hong Kong?
Canada counts as "Group II (rabies under effective control)" for Hong Kong. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. No titer. Give the rabies vaccine at least 30 days and no more than 1 year before export. The pet must have lived 180 days in the export country, with no rabies cases (except in bats) within 10 km in that time. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from Canada to Hong Kong?
No. Pets from Canada do not need a titer test for Hong Kong if the other rules are met.
Will my pet be quarantined in Hong Kong?
Not if every rule is met. May be exempt from quarantine if fully compliant. Pets without proper documents face at least 4 months' quarantine or are sent back.
Do I need an import permit?
Yes. Hong Kong requires an import permit, and you need to apply or notify at least 1 days before arrival.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Same groups and steps as dogs. Cats need panleukopenia and cat-flu vaccines instead of the dog core vaccines. The rule that dogs 5 months or older must be rabies-vaccinated and licensed on arrival applies only to dogs. Bengal cats must be documented as 5th generation or later.
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Hong Kong pet import rules.