Guide for Taking Your Pet from Australia to Hong Kong

Taking your pet from Australia to Hong Kong involves strict requirements. Missing a step in the process, completing paperwork incorrectly, or mistiming vaccinations can result in your pet being quarantined, refused entry, or returned to Australia at your expense.

Australia is classified as a Group I country for the importation of dogs and cats into Hong Kong. This classification means pets can be imported without quarantine, as long as all permit conditions and procedural requirements are followed exactly.

Following the official process precisely is the only way to avoid delays and ensure a smooth entry for your pet into Hong Kong. A professional pet transport company takes this off your hands, making the process stress-free.

This guide walks you through the official Group I import process step by step. You’ll see what you need to do and the complexities of the process.

Checking Your Pet Is Eligible to Enter Hong Kong

Before applying for permits or booking flights, you must confirm that your pet is eligible under Hong Kong’s Group I rules. Only animals that meet the eligibility requirements can be approved for entry.

Eligible Animals

There are eligibility requirements for dogs and cats under the Group I import permit.

• There’s a minimum age requirement: Dogs and cats must not be less than 60 days old at the time of import.
• There are pregnancy restrictions: Female dogs and cats must not be more than four weeks pregnant when imported.

Animals that don’t meet these age or pregnancy conditions aren’t eligible for pet transport to Hong Kong.

Restricted and Prohibited Breeds

Certain dog breeds and their crossbreeds are prohibited from importation. These include dogs listed under the Dangerous Dogs Regulation, such as:

• Pit Bull Terrier (also known as the American Staffordshire Terrier)
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Braziliero
• Any crossbreeds of the above

If the dog is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or if requested by the authorities, a statutory declaration confirming the dog’s breed must be provided.

There are also restrictions on certain cat breeds.

Bengal cats (and their crossbreeds) must not be imported unless documentation is provided confirming the cat is at least 5th-generation domestic ancestry.

Any animal that falls outside these conditions, or isn’t covered by the permit terms, isn’t eligible for import into Hong Kong.

Special Import Permit

Before taking your pet from Australia to Hong Kong, you must apply for an import permit. This permit is mandatory for all dogs and cats imported from Group I countries and should be arranged early to avoid delays later in the process.

The Special Import Permit is valid for six months from the date of issue.

All conditions listed in the permit must be fully complied with. These terms set out the exact requirements for transport, documentation, health certification, and arrival procedures.

Permit holders (or their agents) are responsible for ensuring full compliance with Hong Kong legislation related to animal importation. This includes requirements under animal welfare, public health, rabies control, and dog and cat regulations.

Failure to comply with any permit term or legal requirement can have serious consequences. Your pet may be returned to Australia, placed into quarantine, or held at an official facility at your cost.

In some cases, the permit holder or their agent may also face prosecution. Following every requirement exactly is critical to your pet’s successful entry into Hong Kong.

Preparing Your Pet for Travel to Hong Kong

Before travel arrangements can move ahead, your pet must meet Hong Kong’s identification and vaccination requirements. These steps are mandatory and must be completed within the specified timeframes.

Microchipping Requirements

Your pet must be implanted with a microchip that complies with approved standards. The microchip must meet ISO standards or AVID standards and be readable using an AVID or other ISO-compatible scanner.

The microchip must be readable on arrival in Hong Kong. The microchip number recorded on your pet’s documentation must match the number the authorities get when scanning your pet.

Accurate and consistent recording of the microchip details on paperwork is essential. Any mistakes can cause delays or entry refusal.

If Hong Kong authorities can’t verify the microchip number, your pet may be returned to Australia at your expense.

Required vaccinations

Your pet must be vaccinated within a specific timing window. All required vaccinations must be given more than 14 days and less than one year before export to Hong Kong.

For dogs, vaccination is required against:

• Canine distemper
• Infectious canine hepatitis
• Canine parvovirus

For cats, vaccination is required against:

• Feline panleucopaenia (infectious enteritis)
• Feline respiratory disease complex (cat flu)

These vaccinations must be properly documented and included in the official vaccination certificate that accompanies your pet on arrival.

Mandatory Export Documentation

Your pet must travel with a complete set of official export documents. These certificates must be prepared correctly, issued within the required timeframes, and match your pet’s identification details exactly.

Animal Health Certificate

The Animal Health Certificate must be issued no more than 14 days before export.

It must certify that your pet:

• Is free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease
• Is fit to travel
• Is free from any quarantine restrictions imposed by the exporting country (Australia)
• Is either not pregnant or less than four weeks pregnant, if female

The certificate must include your pet’s identification and microchip details.

If the microchip number recorded on the health certificate doesn’t match the number scanned on arrival in Hong Kong, your pet is not eligible for import.

Residence Certificate

Your pet’s residency history must be confirmed before entering Hong Kong.

The certificate must state that your pet has been continuously resident in Australia:

• Since birth
• For the 180 days immediately before export
• For the entire period since the animal was directly imported from Hong Kong

One of these residency scenarios must be clearly documented.

Vaccination Certificate

A vaccination certificate must accompany your pet and confirm that the required vaccinations have been administered within the approved timeframe.

Vaccinations must be administered more than 14 days and less than one year before export.

Required disease coverage is:

• Dogs: canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, and canine parvovirus
• Cats: feline panleucopaenia (infectious enteritis) and feline respiratory disease complex (cat flu)

Airline Certificate (Captain’s Affidavit)

The airline certificate must be completed by the captain, his delegates, airline staff, or relevant parties. It declares:

• The animal has travelled the entire journey without leaving its crate and did not come into contact with any other animals.
• In the case of transhipment or transit via other countries, the animal did not leave the cargo transhipment area of the airport.

NOTE: Your pet may not be eligible for import or may be held under quarantine if these conditions are not met.

Certification and Endorsement Rules

All certificates must be completed in English or Chinese.

The certificates must be signed and stamped by either:

• A government veterinary officer, OR
• A registered veterinary surgeon AND endorsed by a government veterinary officer

Each of these certificates must apply to one pet only.

The Airline Certificate follows separate completion rules and must be completed by airline or flight personnel.

Transporting Your Pet to Hong Kong

Transport arrangements must comply strictly with Hong Kong’s import permit terms. How your pet travels, the route taken, and the conditions during transport are all closely regulated.

Approved Transport Method

Your pet must be transported to Hong Kong as manifested cargo. Transport as excess baggage or hand-carried baggage isn’t permitted under any circumstances.

Route and Transit Restrictions

Your pet must be transported by the fastest and most direct route from Australia to Hong Kong.

If the proposed route involves a stopover or transit through a Group II, Group IIIA, or Group IIIB country, prior approval must be obtained before travel. Without approval, your pet may not be eligible for import.

Notifying Hong Kong Authorities Before Arrival

Before your pet arrives in Hong Kong, you must notify the Duty Officer of the Import and Export Section. This notification is a mandatory permit condition and must be completed before arrival.

The Duty Officer must be notified at least 24 hours before the anticipated time of arrival. This timeframe is strictly enforced, as authorities need to prepare for your pet’s entry.

Notification can be made during office hours using the approved contact methods, which include telephone, fax, or email. It’s your responsibility, or your agent’s, to ensure this notification is made on time and accurately reflects your pet’s expected arrival details.

What Happens If Requirements Are Not Met?

Hong Kong authorities strictly enforce the terms of the import permit.

If the permit conditions or import requirements aren’t met, your pet may be returned to Australia or placed into quarantine for a period determined by the Senior Veterinary Officer.

You, or your agent, are financially responsible for all costs associated with non-compliance. This includes expenses related to return transport, quarantine, accommodation, veterinary treatment, and any other prescribed fees.

Failure to comply with the permit terms or relevant legislation may also result in legal consequences. The permit holder or their agent may be prosecuted under Hong Kong law.

Taking Your Pet from Australia to Hong Kong with Dogtainers

Taking your pet from Australia to Hong Kong takes attention and preparation, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. With Dogtainers, our experts help you every step of the way to ensure each stage of the process is completed correctly.

We guide you through every step, from advising you on pet eligibility to arranging vet inspections. You don’t have to complete the process alone.

Our experts have been helping pet owners like you with international pet transport for over 50 years. We’re Australia’s oldest and most reliable pet transport company with:

• Vast experience
• Industry credentials
• Tailored services
• Reliable global networks
• Strong airline partnerships
• Deep regulatory knowledge

Conclusion

Taking your pet from Australia to Hong Kong involves following the correct procedures, which can be quite complex. Timing must be exact when completing paperwork and meeting vaccination requirements.

Hong Kong authorities require full compliance with the pet import terms and conditions. Preparation must follow the official process exactly, from applying for the import permit to documentation endorsements.

Starting early gives you the time needed to meet each requirement properly. Careful preparation is the key to avoiding delays, quarantine, or refusal of entry for your pet.

Using a pet transport company like Dogtainers ensures all requirements, documentation, and vet procedures are handled correctly. We are with you every step of the way, making pet transport from Australia to Hong Kong a smooth and stress-free process.

Get your quote today for taking your pet from Australia to Hong Kong.

Pet Travel from Australia to Hong Kong FAQ