If you plan to bring your pets to Hong Kong, you should check whether your future living place allows so, especially for dogs. Check out the list of serviced apartments that welcome pets here. Since Hong Kong’s living space is relatively small, large and active breeds may not have enough room for exercise or may cause a nuisance to neighbours. Therefore, leave more time to search for an ideal home if you are a pet owner.

Procedures

All pets must come through manifest cargo, not as excess baggage or in the cabin. Exceptions are only applicable if you are flying on a private jet or your pet is a Disability Assistance Dog (DAD). To bring your pet to Hong Kong, you need to apply for a special permit from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). It takes the government at least five working days to issue a permit and shall expire after six months.

You may be required to provide proof for your pets such as health checks and vaccination records to apply for a permit. If you failed to do so, your pet may need to undergo a 120 days quarantine or even be sent back to your country of origin. Therefore, you should also check the import and export policies of your home country to see if pets are allowed to return in such cases. You are thus advised to contact AFCD before bringing your pets. The application procedures of pet imports vary across types of pets and countries of origin, learn more on the website of AFCD and how to pick up your pets upon arrival.

You may consider enlisting a pet relocation agent to ensure a smoother arrival (agents arranged in alphabetical order):

• International Pet Travel
• Ferndale Kennels & Cattery
• Pet Export Vet
• Pet Travel

Dog License & Other Laws Relating to Pets

Your dog shall obtain a license upon arrival in Hong Kong and be renewed every three years. Learn more about dog license and your duties as a responsible pet owner. Click here to check out what facilities and resources are available for your pets in Hong Kong.