Home/Routes/France to China
FR
France
✈️
CN
China

Pet Transport from France to China

36-44 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
Very High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Regulations verified

Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →

Overview

France to China is one of the most regulated pet moves you can attempt. GACC requires a 180-day wait after the titre test, a mandatory 30-day quarantine for dogs on arrival, and limits entry to one pet per person per year. Air France flies direct from Paris to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, but the regulatory complexity is substantial regardless of the logistics.

Allow 36-44 weeks. SCELAB in France may qualify as a GACC-approved laboratory, verify this before booking the titre test.

Step by step

The France to China process

1
Week 0. Non-negotiable.
STEP 1: ISO 15-digit microchip before any vaccination

Responsible: French vet

2
After microchip.
STEP 2: Rabies vaccination (within 12 months of travel, 30+ days before titre test)

Responsible: French vet

3
Blood drawn 30+ days post-vaccination. 180-day clock starts.
STEP 3: FAVN titre test at GACC-approved laboratory (SCELAB France may qualify)

Responsible: French vet + GACC-approved lab

4
Cannot be shortened.
STEP 4: 180-day wait from blood draw

Responsible: N/A

5
Before booking cargo.
STEP 5: Confirm entry airport is GACC-approved

Responsible: You or agent

6
Before travel. Dogs: 30 days.
STEP 6: Pre-book GACC quarantine facility at destination

Responsible: You or agent

7
Week 30+
STEP 7: Book Air France or Air China Cargo CDG to Chinese city

Responsible: You or agent

8
Within 10 days of travel.
STEP 8: DDPP-endorsed GACC health certificate

Responsible: DDPP-authorised vet + DDPP

9
Pre-paid and pre-booked.
STEP 9: Arrive at GACC airport. 30-day dog quarantine.

Responsible: GACC quarantine facility

Checklist

China: entry requirements

RequirementDetail
MicrochipRequired (ISO 15-digit). Before any vaccination.
Rabies vaccinationRequired. At least 30 days before travel. Within 12 months of travel.
Rabies titre testRequired for most countries including France. FAVN at GACC-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn 30+ days post-vaccination. 180-day wait from blood draw.
QuarantineMandatory. Dogs: 30 days at GACC-approved quarantine facility. Cats: 7 days if from approved countries.
Import permitRequired. One dog or cat per person per year limit.
Health certificateDDPP-endorsed certificate in GACC format. Within 10 days of travel.
Leaving France

Export requirements

RequirementDetail
Export permitNo formal export permit for personal pets from France.
Health certificateOfficial health certificate endorsed by DDPP in GACC format. Within 10 days of travel.
Costs

What this route typically costs

1Air France or Air China Cargo fees CDG to Chinese city
2IATA-compliant crate
3FAVN titre test at GACC-approved lab
4DDPP health certificate endorsement
530-day GACC quarantine fees (dogs, owner pays)
6Import customs duties
7Agent fee (strongly recommended)
Critical points

Read before you book

⚠ One dog or cat per person per year: China enforces this strictly.
⚠ 30-day dog quarantine mandatory and at owner's expense.
⚠ GACC entry airports are specific. Confirm before booking cargo.
⚠ GACC requirements change. Verify at gacc.gov.cn before starting.
⚠ 180-day wait cannot be shortened.
Carriers

Airlines on this route

Air France
Air France Cargo CDG to PEK, PVG, CAN direct. National carrier of origin with strong CDG cargo. Primary option from Paris.
Cargo Only
Air China
Air China Cargo CDG-PEK. Chinese national carrier with GACC arrival familiarity at Beijing.
Cargo Only
China Eastern
China Eastern Cargo CDG-PVG. Shanghai hub. GACC-experienced.
Cargo Only
China Southern
China Southern Cargo CDG-CAN. Guangzhou hub.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt FRA to Chinese cities. Brachycephalic breeds restricted.
Cargo Only

GACC protocol: France to China at a glance

RequirementDetail
MicrochipISO 15-digit, before any vaccination
Rabies vaccination30+ days before titre test, within 12 months of travel
Titre testFAVN, GACC-approved lab, 0.5+ IU/ml
Post-titre wait180 days from blood draw
Dog quarantine on arrival30 days at GACC facility, owner pays
Cat quarantine7 days if approved: confirm for France
Import limitOne dog or cat per person per year
Entry airportsGACC-approved list only
Health certificateDDPP-endorsed GACC format, within 10 days
Total preparation36-44 weeks

Source: GACC China gacc.gov.cn. Verify current requirements before starting.

SCELAB: check if it's GACC-approved

SCELAB in Nancy holds AQS (Japan) and MPI (New Zealand) approval. Whether SCELAB also holds GACC (China) approval should be verified directly before booking. The approved laboratory lists for different destination countries are managed independently.

If SCELAB is GACC-approved, it means the titre test can be processed domestically in France rather than requiring international sample shipping. Confirm GACC approval status at gacc.gov.cn or through an experienced agent before booking any titre test appointment.

Air France from Paris: direct to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou

Air France operates direct cargo from Paris CDG to Beijing Capital/Daxing, Shanghai Pudong, and Guangzhou Baiyun. As France’s national carrier with established China routes, their CDG cargo team is familiar with GACC-bound documentation. All three Chinese entry airports are GACC-designated for live animal imports.

Chinese carriers, Air China (Beijing), China Eastern (Shanghai), China Southern (Guangzhou), each bring strong GACC arrival familiarity at their hub cities. Contact your agent to determine which carrier and city routing best fits your final destination in China.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. China’s GACC requires a FAVN titre test for pets from most countries including France. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml at a GACC-approved laboratory, followed by a mandatory 180-day wait from the blood draw date.
30 days at a GACC-approved quarantine facility in China, paid by the owner. This is mandatory and runs after arrival, separate from the 180-day pre-travel wait.
One dog or one cat per person per year under Chinese customs regulations. Multi-pet households must assign each pet to a named individual traveller.
Air France Cargo offers direct CDG flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern are Chinese carriers with strong GACC arrival familiarity at their respective hubs.
Allow 36-44 weeks. The 180-day wait after the titre test blood draw is the main constraint. Add 30 days quarantine on arrival for dogs.
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