Pet Shipping to Hong Kong from the USA — 2026 AFCD Requirements
The continental U.S. sits in Hong Kong's lowest-risk import category, so most compliant pets skip quarantine entirely and never need a titer test. The trade-off: an AFCD Special Permit is required before you book anything, and pets must travel as manifest cargo — not in-cabin, not as checked baggage.
Relocating to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, or the New Territories? We handle AFCD permit applications, USDA endorsement, and cargo logistics from start to finish.
Bringing your dog or cat from the U.S. to Hong Kong is overseen by the AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department). Because Hong Kong is rabies-free, its import system sorts every origin country into a risk group, and where your pet is coming from determines almost everything else — permit terms, testing, and quarantine length. The continental United States sits in Group II, the lowest-risk tier open to non-exempt countries, which means a comparatively light process: no titer test, and no quarantine for pets that meet all permit terms. This guide covers the current 2026 requirements, a step-by-step timeline, and the logistics detail most guides skip. For broader relocation help, see our international pet shipping services.
Your Pet Must Travel as Manifest CargoUnder AFCD's permit terms, dogs and cats must be transported to Hong Kong as manifest cargo — transport as excess baggage or hand-carried in-cabin baggage is not permitted. This surprises a lot of first-time movers who assume their pet can fly with them in the cabin. Plan your own travel and your pet's cargo shipment as two separate logistics tracks.
Your Hong Kong Pet Relocation Timeline
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Before You Book Anything
Apply for Your AFCD Special Permit
Submit Form AF240 and Form UN110 to AFCD before booking travel — missing this step first makes every later step harder. The permit is valid for 6 months and covers one dog or cat; a fee applies (HK$432 for a single animal, HK$102 for each additional pet on the same permit).
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6+ Weeks Out
Microchip First
Implant an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip — AFCD's accepted standard since August 1, 2025. A pet arriving with a non-conforming chip (such as an older 9-digit AVID chip a universal scanner can't read) may need a compliant chip implanted on arrival, at the permittee's expense.
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30 Days – 1 Year Before Departure
Rabies Vaccination & Core Vaccines
Rabies vaccination must be given after the microchip, at least 30 days and no more than 1 year before departure, with a minimum age of 90 days for the primary dose. Dogs also need Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, and Canine Parvovirus vaccinations, recorded at least 14 days and no more than 1 year before arrival.
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Before Travel
Parasite Treatment
Your pet should be treated against ticks, tapeworms, nematodes, and cestodes before entering Hong Kong, documented ahead of your health certificate appointment.
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Within 14 Days of Departure
USDA Health Certificate (Form VC-DC2)
A USDA-accredited veterinarian issues the VC-DC2 health certificate, one pet per certificate, endorsed by USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. See our pet documentation services for help managing this step.
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Before You Book
Arrange Cargo Transport & Crate
Since personal pets travel as manifest cargo, work with your airline or a pet shipping agent on the cargo booking. Use an IATA-compliant crate. Choose as direct a route as possible and avoid transiting through high-rabies-risk regions.
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At Least 24 Hours Before Arrival
Notify AFCD
Notify the Duty Officer of AFCD's Import & Export Section at least 24 hours before your pet's arrival at Hong Kong International Airport.
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Arrival in Hong Kong
AFCD Clearance
Customs clearance typically takes two to six hours. With complete Group II documentation, pets are generally released without quarantine.
Understanding Hong Kong's Origin Groups
AFCD sorts every country of origin into a risk group, and each group has different requirements. The continental United States is in Group II — here's how the groups compare:
Group II (includes the continental U.S.)
Low-risk countries. Pets meeting all permit terms — vaccination, microchip, permit, health certificate — are typically exempt from quarantine. No titer test required.
Group IIIA
Includes Mainland China, Malaysia, Thailand, and others. Requires a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titer Test (RNATT) and a minimum 30-day quarantine, with reservations booked well in advance.
Group IIIB
Countries outside Groups I, II, and IIIA, considered higher or unknown rabies risk. Subject to a minimum 120-day quarantine.
Group I
A small set of rabies-free origins with the lightest requirements of all — not applicable to pets departing from the U.S.
Requirements Checklist (Group II / Continental U.S.)
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AFCD Special Permit (Form AF240 + UN110)Applied for before booking any travel. Valid 6 months, one pet per permit.
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ISO 11784/11785 15-Digit MicrochipImplanted before the rabies vaccine.
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Rabies Vaccination30 days to 1 year before departure, minimum age 90 days for the primary dose.
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Core Vaccines (Dogs)Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Parvovirus, 14 days to 1 year old.
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Parasite TreatmentAgainst ticks, tapeworms, nematodes, and cestodes before entry.
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USDA Health Certificate (VC-DC2)Issued within 14 days of departure, one pet per certificate.
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Manifest Cargo TransportRequired — excess baggage or in-cabin transport isn't permitted for personal pets.
No Titer Test Needed From the U.S.A rabies antibody titer test is not required for pets entering Hong Kong from Group II origins like the continental United States. That requirement only applies to Group IIIA moves (which need an RNATT) or specific programs like the service-dog quarantine exemption.
The Real Minimum Age Is Closer to 5 MonthsAFCD technically permits import from 60 days old, but USDA will not endorse a Continental U.S. health certificate for any pet under 5 months. In practice, that makes 5 months the effective minimum age for puppies and kittens moving from the U.S., regardless of what AFCD's own rules say. Animals under 5 months at the time of import are also quarantined until they reach that age.
Climate Considerations
Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers. Ensure your pet's crate has good ventilation and plan cargo transport timing to avoid the most extreme heat where possible.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to enter Hong Kong from the U.S.?
No. The continental U.S. is a Group II origin, and Group II pets don't need a rabies titer test. That requirement applies to Group IIIA moves, which need an RNATT test instead.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin to Hong Kong?
No. AFCD's import permit terms require dogs and cats to travel as manifest cargo. Transport as excess baggage or hand-carried in-cabin baggage is not permitted for standard personal pet imports.
Will my pet be quarantined in Hong Kong?
Typically not, for a Group II pet (continental U.S.) that meets all permit terms. Quarantine mainly applies to Group IIIA (minimum 30 days) and Group IIIB (minimum 120 days) origins.
What's the minimum age for my puppy or kitten to travel?
AFCD technically allows import from 60 days old, but USDA won't endorse a Continental U.S. health certificate for a pet under 5 months. In practice, 5 months is the real minimum age for pets leaving from the U.S.
When do I need to apply for the AFCD import permit?
Before booking any travel. The Special Permit application (Form AF240 + UN110) should be your very first step, since it affects timing for every step that follows.
Ready to Move to Hong Kong with Your Pet?
No titer test, no quarantine for compliant Group II pets — but the AFCD permit and manifest cargo logistics need careful planning. Contact us and we’ll build your complete timeline.
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