Pet Entry and Exit

　　If you want to travel or immigrate with your pet, the procedures for pet entry and exit are much more complicated than those for humans, and the processing time needs to be arranged well in advance. These procedures can be rather troublesome, and accidents during transport are increasingly common. Pet owners must make thorough preparations to successfully bring their beloved pets across borders.
　　Here, we have compiled some knowledge you need to understand about pet entry and exit, pet owners in need should quickly learn about them.
　　I. Exit Procedures
　　When bringing pets out of the country, please take them to the location designated by the local inspection and quarantine agency at least one week in advance for quarantine.
　　Step 1
　　Required Documents for Quarantine
　　1. "Rabies Vaccination Certificate" issued by a county-level or above livestock veterinarian station or designated pet hospital (the date of rabies vaccination must be within 30 days before departure);
　　2. Original pet health certificate;
　　3. Disinfection certificate for transportation equipment (disinfection certificate for airline crate or homemade animal cage);
　　4. Completed "Declaration Form". After passing inspection, the quarantine agency will issue an animal health certificate.
　　Step 2
　　1. Buy a pet-specific airline crate and book a flight with the airline three days in advance by phone. The pet must travel on the same flight. Also, inquire at the civil aviation cargo station about where to submit the quarantine certificate (usually there are agents near the airport who issue certificates for a fee without requiring injections).
　　2. On the day of travel, deliver the pet to the airport cargo station 3 hours in advance for check-in, payment, and insurance purchase. Note: Do not let the pet go through the X-ray machine, only the crate.
　　3. Then pick up the pet at the destination's cargo center with identification.
　　Airline Crate Requirements
　　Generally, the crate should have a steel frame structure; the base and four sides should be enclosed with iron sheets, leaving only the top open for ventilation. A sackcloth or cotton mat must be tied under the base to prevent urine or feces from contaminating other cargo. The crate's sides should have handles made, for example, from lead wire, to facilitate carrying. The crate opening must be tightly secured with lead wire.
　　Note: Pets should have completed all vaccinations before long-distance travel to ensure safety. Fix a water dispenser securely in the crate—bigger is better as pets get easily thirsty during travel. In winter, dress pets in warm clothing to prevent cold. Charges for pet transport services vary; please contact the airline’s reservations department selected to inquire about fees and arrange pet services.
　II. Entry Procedures
　　To minimize disease transmission, governments strictly control animals entering their countries, especially those free from rabies such as the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, which have strict quarantine regulations. Ignoring these quarantine procedures can result in heavy fines, return, or even destruction of the animals. Therefore, any attempt to smuggle pets violates regulations and is extremely irresponsible.
　　General Requirements
　　1. Procedures required for exit
　　If you want to live abroad with your pet, allow plenty of time to prepare the required documentation. First, before departure, report to the animal and plant quarantine agency at the exit port and submit relevant documents (such as vaccination proof). Upon passing quarantine, the port quarantine agency will issue an "Animal Health Certificate" which serves as proof for both exiting and entering the destination country. Next, contact the embassy of the destination country to verify their exact requirements. It is necessary to have the pet examined by a veterinarian prior to departure, and rabies vaccination is very important.
　　2. Transport
　　For flying out, contact the airline of your flight to learn about special requirements and management rules. Traveling with a pet on the same flight is convenient. The pet must be placed in an approved-sized crate per flight requirements. Contact the freight department of the flight to confirm exact dimensions (including air holes on the crate).
　　Country and Hong Kong Region Regulations
　　1. Required procedures for entering the UK and Ireland
　　All pets must be completely quarantined and observed for 6 months in an approved isolation area. If the pet is not vaccinated against rabies, it must be vaccinated immediately upon entering quarantine. All pets entering the UK and Ireland must have a prior entry permit issued by the Ministry of Agriculture. British expatriates abroad, regardless of the length of their pet’s absence from the UK, must undergo the set quarantine period and other mandatory procedures.
　　2. Required procedures for entering mainland Europe
　　Compared to the UK and Ireland, the procedures for pets entering continental European countries are simpler, mainly including:
　　a. Health certificate. Only certificates issued within 48 hours prior to departure are valid. The certificate must be issued by a veterinarian authorized by the relevant department responsible for issuing exit certificates and indicate that the pet is free from infectious diseases, bacterial diseases, and rabies.
　　b. Rabies immunization certificate. Pets living for 6 months in a rabies-free country (such as the UK, Ireland, Australia, etc.) may enter other countries without this certificate. However, for pet welfare and customs assurance, it is best to have the pet vaccinated against rabies.
　　c. Exit certificate. Obtain a valid exit certificate from the department registering pets in your home country, stating that in the past two years there has been no epidemic of infectious diseases where the pet lived. Reporting of infectious diseases to relevant authorities is required by law. The exit certificate is issued by the competent authority in your country; upon entering the destination country, an official stamp will be applied.
　　3. Required procedures for entering Australia
　　All pets entering Australia must comply with quarantine regulations and obtain an entry permit from Australia in advance. Except pets from New Zealand and the Cocos Islands, pets from other countries must be quarantined for varying periods: pets from the UK or Ireland must be quarantined for two months; pets from Norway, Sweden, or Hawaii for four months; pets from other permitted countries for nine months; pets from countries without entry permits must first live for 30 days in a country with entry approval (usually the UK or Hawaii) before entering Australia following necessary procedures.
　　4. Required procedures for entering the USA and Canada
　　Required procedures for pets entering North America are similar to those for Europe but additionally require delivery receipts and immunization certificates. Currently, pets entering the US need not undergo quarantine but must provide a health certificate issued within 10 days, focusing especially on rabies and other major pet diseases. Law does not require translated health certificates (for example, Spanish or French certificates), but having a translation will reduce delays due to language barriers.