Bringing a dog or cat from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong
Under Hong Kong's rules, pets from the United Kingdom are in the group “Group I (rabies-free)”. A dog from the United Kingdom 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 I (rabies-free) Paperwork only
- Titer test
- Not required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
No long wait: No titer. The pet must have lived in the export country for at least 180 days or since birth (assumed to match Group II).
Step by step
Microchip the pet
Use an ISO or AVID chip. Dogs 5 months or older may be re-chipped on arrival if the chip doesn't match Hong Kong's format.
Get an AFCD Special Permit
Apply with forms AF240 and UN110 (fee HK$432, plus HK$102 per extra animal). Allow at least 5 working days. The permit is valid 6 months for one shipment.
Health certificate
Get the VC-DC1 animal health certificate from a government vet (or a vet with government endorsement) within 14 days of export. It confirms residency and health.
Fly as manifested cargo
Take the most direct route as manifested cargo; cabin and excess baggage are not allowed. The captain completes the airline certificate (PC101).
Notify AFCD and get a dog licence
Notify the AFCD duty officer at least 24 hours before arrival. Dogs 5 months or older must be rabies-vaccinated and licensed after arrival.
Normally exempt if all permit conditions are met. 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 the United Kingdom to Hong Kong?
The United Kingdom counts as "Group I (rabies-free)" for Hong Kong. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. No titer. The pet must have lived in the export country for at least 180 days or since birth (assumed to match Group II). Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong?
No. Pets from the United Kingdom 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. Normally exempt if all permit conditions are met. 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.