How do you bring a pet to Hong Kong in 2026?

AFCD classifies origin places into Group I, Group II, Group IIIA, and Group IIIB by rabies risk. Group I places such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Japan, and Jersey normally skip quarantine when every Special Permit condition is met. Group II covers a longer list including places such as Canada, continental USA, Singapore, South Korea, and many EU states; quarantine can also be waived if every term is met. Group IIIA (including Mainland China and Macao under current guidance) needs a minimum 30-day quarantine. Group IIIB covers other places and needs at least four months. AFCD can extend quarantine for doubtful history or clinical signs.

Do not book irreversible flights until the Special Permit is in hand. AFCD sends carbonised permit copies; keep the original white copy for airport retrieval. Notify the Import and Export duty officer at least 24 hours before arrival on the contact printed on your permit terms. Pets must travel as manifested cargo under IATA live-animal rules; hand-carry or excess-baggage transport is not the permitted default on standard dog and cat terms.

Typical dog and cat files need an ISO or AVID-readable microchip before rabies vaccination and blood sampling, rabies and other core vaccines inside the permit windows, and, for higher-risk groups, a satisfactory rabies antibody titre from an AFCD-recognised lab. Ages and breed bans matter: fighting-dog types listed under Cap. 167 are prohibited, and young or late-pregnancy animals are blocked on current terms. Book government or licensed quarantine space only after AFCD accepts the application package; SPCA’s licensed centre handles limited Group IIIA/B spaces after you hold an AFCD reference.

Land permission and an HKID still decide whether you can settle while the pet clears: Apply for a residence permit and Get an HKID. Household goods ship on a separate Customs track: Import household goods. Island high-rises, Kowloon estates, and New Territories houses differ on pet clauses: Living on Hong Kong Island, Living in Kowloon, and Where to live.