Pet Transport from China to Italy: GACC Export and EU Titre Test

Italy applies EU-wide pet travel rules for third-country imports. China is not on the EU Annex II approved third-country list, so pets from China need a titre test and 90-day waiting period before EU …

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20-28

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

Days quarantine on arrival

High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Step by step

The China to Italy import process

Before first rabies vaccination.

Implant ISO microchip in China.

Responsible: Vet in China

After microchip. At least 30 days before titre test blood draw.

Rabies vaccination primary course.

Responsible: Vet in China

At least 30 days after final vaccination. 90-day wait starts from this date.

FAVN titre test blood draw at an EU-approved laboratory.

Responsible: Vet and EU-approved laboratory

Cannot be shortened.

90-day wait from the blood draw date.

Responsible: Owner to track

4-6 weeks before departure.

Apply for GACC export permit.

Responsible: Owner or agent

Within 10 days of Italian entry.

Obtain EU-format AHC from GACC-authorised vet, countersigned by GACC.

Responsible: GACC-authorised vet

After 90-day wait has elapsed.

Fly to Rome FCO or Milan MXP. Italian customs inspection on arrival.

Responsible: Airline, Italian customs

Requirements

Italy 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 for compliant pets.

Import permit

No formal import permit required. AHC serves as the entry document.

Health certificate

EU-format Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from GACC-authorised vet in China, countersigned by GACC. Valid 10 days from examination to Italian entry.

Leaving China

Export requirements

Export permit

GACC export permit required. Apply to local GACC office. 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 Italian entry. 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 Italy: approximately EUR 900-2,800 depending on pet size and airline

Pet transport agent fee: EUR 400-1,200 if used

Realistic total: EUR 2,500-6,500

Critical points

The 90-day wait from titre test blood draw date is mandatory. Plan at least 5 months before your intended Italian arrival date.

Air China operates a direct PEK/PVG to FCO service, making Rome the most straightforward Italian entry point for China-based owners.

China is EU-unlisted: titre test required regardless of vaccination history.

Italy bans import of certain breeds including American Pit Bull Terriers. Check Italian breed regulations before travel.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Air China	Direct cargo services from Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG) to Rome Fiumicino (FCO). Air China Cargo is the most direct option for this route. Advance booking required. Full documentation review before acceptance.	Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific	Via Hong Kong (HKG) to Rome or Milan. AFCD transit rules apply during HKG connection. Useful for southern China departures.	Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo	Via Frankfurt (FRA) to Rome (FCO) or Milan (MXP). Connecting cargo. Covers Beijing and Shanghai departures.	Cargo Only
Emirates SkyCargo	Via Dubai (DXB) to Italian airports. A longer routing but worth considering if direct options are full or unavailable.	Cargo Only

EU import requirements: the same process as China-to-Germany or China-to-France

The requirements for Italy are identical to those for Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Spain for pets from EU-unlisted countries like China. The full process: ISO microchip (before vaccination); rabies vaccination primary course (21-day wait from initial vaccination); FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory (blood draw at least 30 days after final vaccination, result at least 0.5 IU/ml); 90-day wait from the blood draw date; EU-format AHC issued within 10 days of Italian entry. No quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.

Italy does not impose additional requirements beyond the EU standard for pets from China. However, Italy does restrict certain breeds including American Pit Bull Terriers, which are banned from import. Rottweilers and some other breeds may require additional documentation (muzzle, lead rules) in certain Italian regions. Check the current Italian breed regulations for your specific dog breed before making travel plans.

Air China direct service to Rome: the China-Italy route advantage

Air China operates direct cargo services from Beijing Capital (PEK) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to Rome Fiumicino (FCO). This is the most straightforward routing for China-to-Italy, as it avoids the transit documentation requirements of hub airports like Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific) or Frankfurt (Lufthansa). For owners departing from Beijing or Shanghai, the Air China direct service is the recommended first choice.

For owners departing from Guangzhou (CAN) or other southern Chinese cities, Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong is often the most practical option, though AFCD transit rules apply at HKG. For owners relocating to northern Italian cities (Milan, Turin), a Lufthansa connection via Frankfurt to Milan Malpensa (MXP) or a KLM connection via Amsterdam AMS may be more convenient geographically, even if it adds a transit leg.

How China-Italy compares to other EU routes from China

All five major EU destination routes from China (Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Italy) have identical requirements (EU-unlisted country titre test process, GACC export, EU-format AHC, 90-day wait). The differences are in routing and specific breed restrictions. Germany has the most comprehensive federal breed restrictions (four breeds banned at import). Spain and Italy also have breed restrictions. France has restricted categories.

If you are choosing between EU destinations as part of your relocation decision and the pet transport process is a factor, France and Germany offer the most direct cargo routing from China (both Air China direct and multiple European carrier options). Italy is well-served by the Air China Rome service. The Netherlands (Amsterdam) has strong KLM direct connections from China. Spain requires a hub connection.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

Yes. Air China operates direct cargo services from Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG) to Rome Fiumicino (FCO). This is the most direct routing for China-to-Italy. Milan Malpensa (MXP) is accessible via hub connections through Frankfurt or Amsterdam.

Yes. China is not on the EU Annex II approved list. FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory is required, with a mandatory 90-day wait from the blood draw date. Source: EU pet travel regulations, ec.europa.eu.

No. There is no quarantine for compliant pets on arrival in Italy. All requirements (microchip, vaccination, titre test, 90-day wait, EU-format AHC) must be met, but there is no mandatory holding period on arrival.

All three routes have identical requirements: GACC export, EU-format AHC, FAVN titre test, 90-day wait, no quarantine. The difference is routing. Germany and France have more direct cargo connections from China. Italy has the Air China direct service to Rome.

Italy bans import of certain dog breeds including American Pit Bull Terriers. Some regions impose additional rules on Rottweilers and other breeds classified as potentially dangerous. Check with the Italian Ministry of Health (salute.gov.it) for the current list before travel.

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