Pet Transport from China to France: GACC Export and EU Titre Test
Bringing your dog or cat from China to France takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Around 20-28 weeks is sensible here, with a few steps that must happen in a strict order. …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from China to France
typically takes around 20-28 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The China to France import process
01
Before first rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip.
Responsible: Vet in China
02
After microchip. At least 30 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies vaccination primary course.
Responsible: Vet in China
03
At least 30 days after the final rabies vaccination. The 90-day wait starts from this date.
FAVN titre test blood draw at an EU-approved laboratory.
Responsible: Vet and EU-approved laboratory
04
Cannot be shortened or waived.
90-day wait from the blood draw date.
Responsible: Owner to track
05
4-6 weeks before departure.
Apply for GACC export permit.
Responsible: Owner or agent
06
Within 10 days of French entry date.
Obtain EU-format AHC from GACC-authorised official vet, countersigned by GACC.
Responsible: GACC-authorised vet
07
After 90-day wait has elapsed.
Fly to Paris CDG. French customs inspection on arrival.
Responsible: Airline, French customs
Requirements
France entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must be implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. Primary course complete. 21-day wait from initial vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Required. China is not on the EU Annex II approved third-country list. FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Blood draw at least 30 days after final vaccination. Mandatory 90-day wait from blood draw date before EU entry. Source: EU pet travel regulations, ec.europa.eu.
Quarantine
No quarantine on arrival in France for compliant pets.
Import permit
No formal import permit required. The AHC serves as the entry document.
Health certificate
Animal Health Certificate (AHC) in EU format from an official vet in China, countersigned by GACC. Valid 10 days from examination to French entry.
Leaving China
Export requirements
Export permit
GACC export permit required. Apply to local GACC office with health certificate, microchip record, and vaccination history. Allow 3-4 weeks. Approved departure airports: Beijing Capital (PEK), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN).
Health certificate
Official health certificate in EU AHC format, issued by a GACC-authorised vet, countersigned by a GACC official. Issued within 10 days of arrival in France. Source: GACC, english.customs.gov.cn.
Costs
What this route typically costs
GACC export permit and health certificate endorsement: approximately CNY 800-2,000
Titre test at EU-approved laboratory: approximately EUR 300-600 or CNY 4,000-10,000
AHC from GACC-authorised vet: approximately CNY 500-1,500
Cargo fees China to Paris CDG: approximately EUR 900-2,800 depending on pet size
Pet transport agent fee: EUR 400-1,000 if used
Realistic total: EUR 2,500-6,500
Critical points
The 90-day wait from the titre test blood draw date is mandatory and cannot be shortened. Plan at least 5 months of preparation time before your intended French arrival date.
China is an EU-unlisted country. A titre test is required regardless of how long your pet has been vaccinated or how many boosters it has had. Source: EU pet travel regulations.
The AHC must be in the EU-specified format, countersigned by GACC. A general Chinese health certificate is not sufficient.
Air France direct services from Beijing and Shanghai to Paris CDG are the most straightforward route option, but advance booking for live animal cargo is essential.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Air France
Direct cargo services from Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (PVG), and Guangzhou (CAN) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Air France Cargo handles live animal shipments. Brachycephalic breed restrictions apply. Documentation review required before acceptance.
Cargo Only
Air China
Direct cargo services PEK/PVG to CDG. Air China Cargo. Full documentation review before acceptance. Advance booking essential.
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Via Hong Kong (HKG) to Paris CDG. AFCD transit rules apply during HKG connection. Useful for southern China departures.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
Via Frankfurt (FRA) connections to Paris or direct to CDG. An option if departure is from Beijing or Shanghai with a Frankfurt connection.
Cargo Only
Meeting France's entry requirements
Bringing a pet into France involves a fair amount of documentation. Keep everything organised and check each item against the current requirements before you book.
Advice worth following
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Yes. China is not on the EU Annex II approved list. An FAVN or ELISA titre test is required at an EU-approved laboratory. Blood draw must be at least 30 days after the final vaccination, result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above, and a 90-day wait from the blood draw date applies before EU entry. Source: EU pet travel regulations.
Yes. Air France operates direct cargo services from Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (PVG), and Guangzhou (CAN) to Paris CDG. Air China also operates direct PEK/PVG to CDG services. Direct routing avoids the documentation complications of transit via Hong Kong or other hub airports.
The requirements are identical: GACC export, EU-format AHC, FAVN titre test, 90-day wait, no quarantine. The difference is the entry airport and the national authority handling border inspection. Both routes take 20-28 weeks from start to arrival.
No. Pets from China do not need to quarantine on arrival in France, provided all documentation is correct (microchip, vaccination, titre test with passing result, 90-day wait elapsed, EU-format AHC). Non-compliant pets may be quarantined at the owner’s expense or returned.
The titre test must be performed at an EU-approved laboratory. In China, there are GACC-approved laboratories that can process FAVN tests, but the laboratory must specifically hold EU approval for the result to be accepted for EU entry. Your GACC-authorised vet or a specialist agent can advise on approved laboratories available from your city.
Airline guides
Air France
Air China
Cathay Pacific
Lufthansa Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.