Import of Dogs and Cats from Group IIIA countries/places

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NEW !

Please click here for updated arrangements for importing dogs and cats from the Mainland (Effective from 3 June 2025).

Import Requirements

Please read the permit terms carefully to ensure the full compliance before importation of animals. Failure to comply with the Permit Terms may render the animals to be returned to the country / place of export or quarantined for a period determined by the Senior Veterinary Officer at the cost and risk of the permittee / agent. The permittee / agent may be prosecuted.

The animals must arrive Hong Kong in a designated period of time and kept in AFCD Animal Management Centre for quarantine, otherwise quarantine facility must be re-booked.

Permit Terms	DC-06V02
Forms of Animal Health Certificate	VC-DC3A (Sample Document)
Quarantine Period	Minimum of 30 days
Quarantine facilities booking	PC100

Please click here for some Frequently Asked Questions about the new Group IIIA.

 

Application Procedure:

Please read through all the parts carefully before submitting your application. You may contact AFCD at (852) 2150 7065 to check the availability period of quarantine facility. Reservation of Quarantine facility can be arranged only after the submitted documents are in order.

Please click the image below for a summary of the importation procedure.

I. Follow the steps below and submit the application documents by email (icsenquiry@afcd.gov.hk) or in person or by post:

1. Microchip implantation
   • Your dog/cat must be implanted with a microchip which can be read with an AVID or ISO scanner prior to rabies vaccination and blood sampling.
     
2. Anti-rabies vaccination
   
   • Your dog/cat must be vaccinated against rabies using either an inactivated or recombinant anti-rabies vaccine not less than 30 days and not more than 1 year prior to export.
   • In case of primary vaccination, it must be given at 90 days old or above.
   • The microchip number, date of birth, sex of the animal must appear on the anti-rabies vaccination record.
3. Vaccination against other diseases
   
   • Your dog/cat must have full vaccination against canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis and canine parvovirus (for dogs) and against feline panleucopaenia and feline respiratory disease complex (for cats) not less than 14 days and not more than 1 year prior to export.
   • For definition of full vaccination, please refer to Guideline for full vaccination of dogs and cats under quarantine in Hong Kong (No. G122).
   • The microchip number, date of birth, sex of animals must appear on the vaccination record.
4. Obtain satisfactory Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titer Test (RNATT) result*
   • Your dog/cat must undergo a RNATT on a blood sample collected not less than 90 days and not more than 1 year prior to export.
   • In the case of primary anti-rabies vaccination, at least 30 days must elapse between the date of vaccination and the date of blood sampling.
   • Testing must be conducted at a laboratory approved by AFCD using FAVN or RFFIT method with a result of at least 0.5iu/ml. For a list of recognised laboratories, please refer to “Permit Terms DC-06V02”.
   • Microchip number of your dog/cat must appear on the lab report.
5. Reserve quarantine facility
   • You should submit the application forms together with the following supporting documents:
     
     1. Application Form 
        • Special Permit (For the Importation/Transit/Transhipment of Animals & Birds) - Form No. AF240
     2. Government Animal Management Centre for Quarantine Purpose Booking Form (Form No. PC100)
     3. Copy of vaccination record (rabies and other diseases)
     4. RNATT lab report*
     5. Copy of HKID/passport
     6. If you need to authorize other person to handle the application, please also complete the Authorization form (Form No. UN110)
6.  Wait for AFCD’s confirmation of quarantine booking
   • The estimated waiting time is 12 to 15 months at present. The waiting time may vary depending on the number of quarantine spaces and demand.
   • Given the waiting period for quarantine, the validity of the vaccines and RNATT may expire. In such cases, these must be repeated to ensure the validity at the time of export (see paragraph 8).
   • *To avoid the additional cost of repeated RNATT, applicants may elect to reserve the quarantine space before taking the RNATT. In this case, AFCD will notify the applicant around 6 months in advance of the estimated timeslot by email. The applicant has to submit the RNATT report within 3 months
7. Apply for Import/Special Permit
   • After obtaining all required documents including a satisfactory RNATT result, AFCD will contact the applicant and a 2-week timeslot will be allocated. Your dog/cat must be imported into Hong Kong within the given 2-week period.
   • You should submit the following supporting documents to complete the permit application:
     
     1. Copy of updated vaccination record and RNATT (if applicable – see step 8)
     2. Completed Declaration for admission to quarantine facility in AMC (UN111)
     3. Application fee (if applicable)
        Permit fee for a single animal is HK$432. Fee for each additional animal is HK$102 under a same permit for a single shipment. 

        In person:	Cash or crossed cheque payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" is to be paid at the time when an application is submitted.
        By post:	Crossed local cheque is acceptable for local application. Cash should not be sent by post.
        For overseas application:	Payment shall be by bank draft in HONG KONG CURRENCY payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" drawn from a bank in Hong Kong. An overseas applicant may nominate a person or an agent in Hong Kong to apply for permits on his / her behalf.

8. Re-vaccination / Re-test (if applicable)
   • If the last rabies vaccination is given more than 1 year prior to the expected date of export, your dog/cat will need a booster vaccination. Please make sure 30 days have elapsed before export.
   • If the last vaccination for other diseases is given more than 1 year prior to the expected date of export, your dog/cat will need a booster vaccination. Please make sure 14 days have elapsed before export.
   • If the blood sample for RNATT is taken more than 1 year prior to the expected date of export, the test will need to be repeated. There is no need for an additional 3 month waiting period if the anti-rabies vaccination has been kept up to date since the first RNATT was taken.
9. Arrange transportation to Hong Kong
   • You should arrange appropriate transportation so that your dog/cat is transported by the fastest and most direct route to Hong Kong.
   • By air: as manifested cargo.
   • By sea/land: keep in appropriate crate.
10. Obtain an animal health certificate
    • An animal health certificate must be EITHER issued by a government veterinary officer OR issued by a registered veterinarian and endorsed by a government veterinary officer.
    • The animal health certificate must be issued not more than 7 days prior to export.
    • The microchip number of the animal must appear on the animal health certificate.
    • The animal health certificate template (VC-DC3A) prepared by AFCD can be used.
11. Notify AFCD in advance
    • You should notify the Duty Officer of the Import & Export Section at least 24 hours before your dog/cat’s anticipated arrival time in Hong Kong.
12. Arrival at Hong Kong border
    • You need to provide the following documents for clearance:
      1. Original Import/Special Permit issued by AFCD.
      2. Original vaccination record (rabies and other diseases).
      3. Original RNATT report.
      4. Original veterinary health certificate issued/endorsed by a  government veterinary officer
13. Official escort to quarantine facility
    • Applicant is responsible for arranging transportation of the animal from the border to the quarantine facility.
    • AFCD staff will escort the animal during the transportation.
14. Complete at least 30 days of post-arrival quarantine

 

II. Where to Apply

Either in person or by post to the licensing office:

Permit & Certification Section (Counter No. 10), Import & Export Division, 5th Floor,
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Office hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 noon, 1:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. (Close on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.)

Applicant can also apply for the Special / Import Permit through the Trade Single Window. More information can be viewed at www.tradesinglewindow.hk.

 

III. Processing Time

At least 3 working days, subject to provision of all required information (i.e. it takes 5 working days from the date of receipt of application and permit fee to the date of issue).

Please apply well in advance and make allowances for mailing time, and meet the health requirements such as vaccinations and/or blood tests.

 

IV. Dispatch of Permit

• By ordinary mail (local) or air mail (overseas) to the address as indicated in the application form. Please enclose a self-addressed envelope together with the application (No stamp is required).
• To avoid postal delay, the applicant may choose to pick up the permit at the licensing office in person or by an appointed agent. The permit will not be dispatched by fax nor email.

 

  Important Reminder

Tel : (852) - 1823
Email : icsenquiry@afcd.gov.hk

 

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