Clearance at airport?

[mochato]

Hello everyone!

I'm making my move to Hong Kong later this November from Australia and will be bringing my cat with me. I will most likely let a pet relocation agency handle the bulk of the trip except for the easy, mostly fool-proof parts of getting the import permit and picking my cat up from cargo upon arrival.

Having said that, I am a bit nervous about the collection process.

I've gone and read what the AFCD has to say about the collection process and dug through the threads and read some posts about other people's experiences, but still find myself lost (the posts that I found on the clearance process are a little dated and I wasn't sure if the information was still relevant).

I understand that a clearance fee has to be paid at the airport when collecting your pet? I have asked a pet relocation agent for a general guesstimate and she gave me AUD $100 - $300! In some past threads about pet collection, some have mentioned paying a collection fee of HKD $50 something? Is that still relevant? And is that all the payment you have to make when picking up your pet?

I've also read that the process could take more than 2 hours; maybe 3. Has anyone had a recent experience with pet collection that could tell me if this is still about how long it takes, or has the process sped up a little more?

Sorry for the wordy post and thanks in advance for responding!

[MandM!]

I had a friend go through the process, with a dog, and the problem for the most part was that no one knew anything about where to go, so they were lost. It took them pretty much the entire day. So best to find out where to go and how to get there so you have an idea.

Good luck.

[Drunken Master]

According to AFCD website the fee is HKD432:
http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quara..._ipab_idc.html

[mochato]

Thanks MandM! for the heads up!

From browsing the forums, it does seem like most people have the most trouble with that.

[mochato]

Drunken Master, is the HKD432 fee not just for the application for the import permit?

[mingming]

The import permit and clearance are two different fees. Yes, the cargo terminal place is a little hard to find, so better to get enough directions. Highly recommend to engage the AFCD as early as possible, and they are very helpful and make sure you get all needed information, so the pickup will be a smooth.

[Natfixit]

Ask George Yung at International Pet Travel. Email [email protected] as he knows everything. He received our cat when we arrived here from Dubai to avoid the hassle. As his connections are far and wide, ask him which pet transport companies he recommends to transport your kitty over here. Also, congrats and kudos for your not leaving your pet behind in Oz.