Pet Transport from China to Ireland

Shipping your dog from China to Ireland is a process that rewards early planning. This route is moderately involved, with a clear checklist to follow. Start preparations at least 20 weeks before your …

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20-26

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

Days quarantine on arrival

Moderate

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Step by step

The China to Ireland import process

First step - must be done before any vaccinations.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.

Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.

Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk

Requirements

Ireland entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on same day as rabies vaccination

Rabies vaccination

Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel. 21-day wait from first vaccination. Boosters given in-time have no additional wait.

Rabies titre test

Required for: Pets from non-EU/non-listed countries. Not required for: Pets from EU member states and approved listed countries. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait from test date before entry

Quarantine

No routine quarantine for compliant pets from listed/EU countries.

Import permit

EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate (AHC) serves as the travel document. No separate import permit needed.

Health certificate

Required. EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate (AHC). Issued by: Official or authorised veterinarian. Valid for 10 days from issue. EU pet passport valid indefinitely as long as vaccinations are current. AHC valid 10 days for entry.

Leaving China

Export requirements

Export permit

Export permit from GACC. Required particularly for purebred/registered breeds.

Health certificate

Export health certificate in destination-country required format.

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)

IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)

Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate

Rabies titre test laboratory fee

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Air China	Small pets allowed in cabin on domestic China routes. International: cargo only via Air China Cargo. Strict crate size and documentation requirements. China-specific import/export permits required. Advance booking of cargo space essential.	Cabin and Cargo
British Airways	Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.	Cargo Only
Emirates	Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)	Cargo Only
Lufthansa	Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round	Cabin and Cargo
Singapore Airlines	Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons	Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific	Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met	Cargo Only
Air France	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes	Cabin and Cargo
KLM	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo	Cabin and Cargo
Korean Air	Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Larger pets in hold as checked baggage or Korean Air Cargo. Seasonal temperature restrictions apply	Cabin and Cargo

What to know about the China to Ireland route

Compared to some international pet transport routes, China to Ireland is manageable. That said, every country’s rules are different and the timing requirements are strict.

EU member. Ireland uses the EU pet travel scheme. Part 1 listed country for UK entry. Large population of pets moving between Ireland, UK, and Europe.

Things to sort before you book

Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.

Book the titre test laboratory well in advance. Approved labs have limited appointment slots and the blood sample processing takes time. Don’t leave this to the last few weeks.

Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.

If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.

No routine quarantine is required in Ireland for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.

Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Ireland. Start this process as early as possible.

Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in China. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Ireland’s authority for the exact format required.

Airline guides

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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