China

• China is a high-risk country for rabies. In order to return to the United States, travelers with U.S.-vaccinated dogs must provide two documents per animal, the CDC Dog Import Form (completed online with an uploaded photo of your dog, taken recently or within 15 days before travel to the U.S. if under one year old) and a Certification of U.S-issued Rabies Vaccination form. The CDC Dog Import Form can be completed online and is valid for six months, allowing multiple entries if the port of entry remains the same. The Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form must be filled out by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before departure and endorsed by the USDA; it’s valid for the duration of the rabies vaccination. Alternatively, a USDA-endorsed export health certificate issued before July 31, 2025, that includes the dog's age, microchip number, and valid rabies vaccination information can be used in place of the Certification form. USDA-endorsed export health certificates issued after July 31, 2025, will not be accepted for re-entry into the United States. Additional requirements include a detectable microchip implanted before rabies vaccination, proof of rabies vaccination administered after microchip insertion, and the dog must appear healthy upon arrival. Dogs must be at least 6 months old at the time of entry or return. These documents allow entry at any U.S. port of entry matching the one listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Their microchip number must be included on all required forms and supporting documents. The required forms can be obtained at this link. For further guidance on returning to the U.S. with your pet from a high-risk country, contact the CDC directly at cdcanimalimports@cdc.gov
• Pets need to have had at least two rabies vaccinations over a lifetime and be current on rabies vaccinations at the time of arrival in China. In addition to the APHIS-endorsed health certificate, bring an original copy of the current rabies vaccine certificate, which may be kept by the Quarantine Officials. Please travel with photocopies of your pet's rabies vaccine certificate, as they may be requested. Your pet must also be accompanied by an original rabies titer test laboratory report which states the pet has an antibody titer of at least 0.5 IU/mL.
• Pets entering China must also be identifiable by an ISO-compliant microchip, which is 15 digits long. If your pet does not have an ISO-compliant microchip, you will need to travel with a microchip reader that can read your pet's microchip.
• Each pet must have its own veterinary health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within 14 days of arrival in China.
• Only one pet should accompany each traveler. The traveler’s name must be on the pet’s veterinary health certificate.
• One photocopy of the traveler’s passport is required for each pet and a digital photo of the pet on paper and a digital copy. For large dogs, it is best to have something in the photo to help judge the size of the animal.
• Upon arrival, bring your pet, fees, and all documents to the General Administration of Customs of the Peoples Republic of China (GACC) office at the airport.
• Register your pet with the local police of your place of residence within one month of arrival in China.

To download the application form required for entry into China with a domestic pet, please click the .pdf icon below.