Taking a pet from the United States to China

What the USDA APHIS page for China says about exporting a pet there.

What this destination requires

*** Effective May 1, 2019, China will allow entry of U.S. pets (dogs and cats) to enter through any port of arrival in China without a quarantine, ONLY IF ALL the following conditions are met.

Step 1: Proof of rabies vaccination Your pet must have been vaccinated at least TWICE in its lifetime, and be CURRENT on rabies vaccinations at the time of arrival in China.

An original copy of the current rabies vaccine certificate must accompany the APHIS-endorsed health certificate, and at the time of arrival in China will need to be provided to, and may be kept by, the Quarantine Officials.

Please travel with photocopies of your pet's rabies vaccine certificate, as they may be requested.

CDC high-risk for dog rabies. CDC lists China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) as high risk for dog rabies, which affects bringing a dog back into the United States.

Read the source

This page summarises the USDA APHIS page Pet Travel From the United States to China. That page is the authority; read it in full before you travel.

Open the APHIS page for China →

Source: USDA APHIS — https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-china. Record retrieved September 2026; APHIS last modified this page February 11, 2026.

This page summarises a U.S. government page and is not legal or veterinary advice. Rules change; confirm the requirements with APHIS and your destination country before you travel.