Pet Shipping to China from the USA — 2026 GACC Requirements
China is one of the most document-heavy destinations we handle. The single biggest thing to know up front: dogs and cats from the U.S. need a rabies antibody titer test to avoid a mandatory 30-day quarantine — and that test alone adds real weeks to your timeline. Plan for 3–4 months, not a few weeks.
Traveling with your dog or cat to Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou? We manage the titer test lab coordination, USDA endorsement, and GACC notification from start to finish.
Bringing your dog or cat from the U.S. to China is overseen by GACC (General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China). China's national rules combine strict health documentation with a rabies titer requirement most first-time movers don't expect, layered on top of city-specific breed and size rules that are entirely separate from the national import process. This guide covers the current 2026 requirements, the full timeline, and what to expect on arrival. For broader relocation help, see our international pet shipping services.
The USA Is Not a "Designated" Rabies-Free CountryCountries like Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK are on China's designated list and can skip the titer test. The United States is not on that list, so dogs and cats from the U.S. mainland need a passing rabies antibody titer test to avoid a mandatory 30-day quarantine at the owner's expense. Pets departing from Hawaii or Guam are exempt from the titer requirement.
Your China Pet Relocation Timeline
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3–4 Months Out
Microchip First
Implant an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip before the rabies vaccination series begins — China requires the chip to be in place first, and it needs to be recorded on every subsequent document. If your pet's chip isn't ISO-compliant, you'll need to travel with a compatible scanner.
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Two Rabies Doses, 30+ Days Apart
Complete a Two-Dose Rabies Series
China requires two documented rabies vaccinations — a primary dose and a booster — regardless of your pet's prior vaccination history, with at least 30 days between them. Minimum age for the first dose is 12 weeks. If your pet already has one lifetime rabies vaccine on record, you'll still need a second dose before the titer blood draw.
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Same Day as, or After, the 2nd Dose
Rabies Antibody Titer Test
Blood is drawn on or after the day of the second rabies dose and sent to a GACC-approved laboratory (only a handful of U.S. labs qualify) for an RFFIT or FAVN test. A passing result is ≥0.5 IU/mL. Results take roughly 1–3 weeks, and the test is valid for 12 months from the blood draw date.
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Shortly Before Travel
Parasite Treatment
Not strictly mandatory, but strongly recommended: treat your pet against ticks, tapeworms, and other internal and external parasites shortly before departure.
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Within 14 Days of Arrival
USDA-Accredited Health Certificate
A USDA-accredited veterinarian issues the health certificate using China's specific dog or cat form, listing the microchip number, vaccination history, and titer results. It must be endorsed by USDA APHIS and travel with an original copy of the rabies vaccine certificate and the titer lab report. See our pet documentation services for help managing this sequence.
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Before You Fly
Notify Chinese Customs & Confirm Airline Policy
Chinese Customs (GACC) needs advance notice of your pet's arrival regardless of which entry path applies. Separately, confirm your airline's pet policy — crate specs, cabin/cargo eligibility, and fees vary, and some airlines have their own breed restrictions on top of China's.
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Arrival in China
GACC Inspection at a Designated Port
Take your pet, fees, and full document set to the GACC office at the airport. Officials confirm the microchip number, review your certificate, vaccine records, and titer results, and inspect your pet physically. With everything in order, one dog or cat per traveler is typically released without quarantine. Incomplete documentation, an expired vaccine, or a missing titer means a mandatory 30-day quarantine at a GACC facility, entirely at your expense.
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Within 1 Month of Arrival
Register With Local Police
Dogs must be registered with the local police at your place of residence within one month of arrival — a national requirement separate from any city-specific breed or size registration rules.
Requirements Checklist
All Dogs and Cats
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ISO 11784/11785 MicrochipImplanted before the rabies vaccination series and recorded on every document.
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Two Rabies VaccinationsPrimary dose plus a booster, at least 30 days apart, first dose no earlier than 12 weeks of age.
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Rabies Antibody Titer Test (≥0.5 IU/mL)Required for pets from the U.S. mainland to avoid quarantine. Drawn on or after the second rabies dose, at a GACC-approved lab, valid 12 months from the blood draw. Not required for pets departing from Hawaii or Guam.
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USDA-Endorsed Health CertificateIssued within 14 days of arrival on China's dog- or cat-specific form, accompanied by the original rabies vaccine certificate and titer lab report.
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Advance Notification to GACCChinese Customs must be notified of your pet's arrival ahead of travel, regardless of entry path.
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One Pet Per Traveler (generally)China typically admits one dog or cat per traveling person for non-commercial entry; bringing more than one pet usually means filing under multiple traveling companions. Confirm current limits with GACC or your relocation coordinator.
City Breed & Size Rules Are Separate From National Import RulesChina has no nationwide dog breed ban, but major cities enforce their own local restrictions for registration and residency — entirely apart from what GACC requires to clear customs. Beijing prohibits dogs taller than 35 cm (about 14 inches) at the shoulder within its central urban districts and restricts a list of breeds including Mastiffs and Rottweilers under its long-standing "one dog per household" rule. Shanghai maintains its own list of over 20 prohibited breeds and crossbreeds, also with a one-dog-per-household registration limit. Chengdu and Guangzhou maintain separate local lists as well. Clearing GACC customs does not guarantee your specific dog can be legally registered or kept in your destination city — check your city's current rules before you commit to travel.
Planning to Return to the U.S.?China is classified high-risk for canine rabies by the CDC. Dogs returning to the U.S. from China generally need a CDC Dog Import Form and may require a reservation at a CDC-approved Animal Care Facility, plus a titer test or quarantine depending on vaccination history. Cats are exempt from CDC rabies rules for return travel. Plan the return leg early if a round trip is part of your timeline.
Climate Considerations
- Cold weather: Northern China (including Beijing) has genuinely cold winters — provide warm bedding, avoid unheated spaces, and never leave a pet in an unheated vehicle.
- Hot weather: Southern and central China can run hot and humid — keep pets hydrated, avoid midday travel, and never leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle.
- Regional variation: China spans a huge range of climates — check conditions for your specific destination city rather than assuming a single national pattern.
Designated Entry Ports
Beijing PEK
A major designated port with GACC quarantine facilities. Local rule: dogs over 35 cm at the shoulder and certain breeds are restricted within central districts under the one-dog-per-household policy.
Shanghai PVG / SHA
A major designated port at both Pudong and Hongqiao airports. Local rule: over 20 breeds and crossbreeds are prohibited, also with a one-dog-per-household registration limit.
Guangzhou CAN
A major designated port with its own local breed and registration rules, separate from Beijing and Shanghai.
The designated port list is subject to change and pets requiring quarantine can generally only enter through one of these locations — confirm the current list with GACC or with us before booking travel.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to enter China?
Yes, if traveling from the U.S. mainland. The U.S. is not on China's designated rabies-free country list, so dogs and cats need a passing titer test (≥0.5 IU/mL) from a GACC-approved lab to avoid a mandatory 30-day quarantine. Pets departing from Hawaii or Guam are exempt.
How many rabies vaccinations does my pet need?
Two: a primary dose and a booster, given at least 30 days apart, regardless of your pet's prior vaccination history. The titer test blood draw happens on or after the day of the second dose.
What happens if my pet doesn't have a valid titer test?
Your pet can still enter China, but only through a designated port with quarantine facilities, and must complete a mandatory 30-day quarantine at a GACC facility, entirely at the owner's expense.
Are certain dog breeds banned in China?
There's no nationwide breed ban for import, but major cities enforce their own local restrictions for registration and residency, separate from GACC's national entry rules. Beijing restricts dogs over 35 cm tall and certain breeds within central districts; Shanghai prohibits over 20 breeds and crossbreeds. Check your specific destination city before committing to travel.
How many pets can I bring to China?
Generally one dog or cat per traveling person for non-commercial entry. Bringing more than one pet typically requires filing documentation under different traveling family members, and exceeding standard limits may trigger commercial import rules. Confirm current limits with GACC before finalizing your move.
Ready to Move to China with Your Pet?
China's titer test, two-dose rabies series, and city breed rules take real lead time to get right. Contact us and we’ll build your complete 3–4 month timeline.
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