Bringing Your Cat To HK

[Sady]

Can someone please guide me what documents / certificates I would require to submit & where in order to bring my Cat with me to Hong Kong?

Thanks

[cw1483]

Depends what country you are shipping from (long haul requires cargo transport). Also note that the pet ticket costs more than human ticket for those long hauls (see the airline requirement as each carrier has their own rule. Good thing is HK has no quarantine period. Some air carriers like Cathay does not allow transport of pet in cabin area at all.

See this links for what certs are needed:

Pet Travel and Moving to Hong Kong with Animals - AngloINFO Hong Kong (China)

[kikibun]

From personal experience, I suggest you apply for the import permit ASAP
If you are traveling from group 3 countries, your dog or cat is subject to a minimum of 4 months quarantine. While it's true Cathay Pacific doesn't allow pets in cabin, all animals coming into HK must fly cargo, unless it's a service dog. I am flying my dog in manifested cargo with Cathay Pacific and it doesn't cost me more than my ticket, around $400.

AFCD Import of Dogs and Cats

[hello_there]

Depends what country you are shipping from (long haul requires cargo transport). Also note that the pet ticket costs more than human ticket for those long hauls (see the airline requirement as each carrier has their own rule. Good thing is HK has no quarantine period. Some air carriers like Cathay does not allow transport of pet in cabin area at all...[/url]

There is a lot of misinformation in this post. All pets imported into Hong Kong must be transported as manifest cargo, not just on 'long haul' flights. Therefore NO cariers allow any animals in the cabin on flights to HK - government regulations do not permit it. Ticket prices depend on the weight of the animal and the size of the crate and for a small animal are not necessarily more expensive than a person's ticket. Hong Kong also does quarantine animals, for 4 months, from countries it lists as schedule III.

Regarding documentation, you will need, see the AFCD website.

AFCD Import of Dogs and Cats

In short, you will need a Special Permit (import permit) and a number of other documents and certifications from your vet, including vaccination records and the proper microchip, and certifications from your home government's veterinary regulator. The exact documents you need to provide depend on where you are coming from and are all available via the link above.

Many people, although not all, chose to use a pet import agency to facilitate the process. There are a number of discussions on the pros and cons of paying someone vs doing it yourself on this site. A couple good agents are Ferndale Kennels and Cattery and George at International Pet Tavel. There are other good agents, and a number of not so good, so if you go the agent route try to get a positive recommendation before picking one.

[Sady]

Thanks everyone especially for the links.

Very helpful. Much appreciated.

[MCDC]

I had planned on bringing my cat from the US to HK but ended up not. I applied for the permit myself and considered paying somebody to do the rest. I was able to negotiate a cheaper price because I did what they considered the "hard part".
Also be aware of any embargo at the time of travel. I moved to HK in July but there was an embargo not allowing my cat to fly until sometime in September.

[Sady]

Thanks MCDC. Will keep in mind. Though wont be before next year till I finally move to HK.