Pet Transport from France to Hong Kong
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →
France’s Group 1 status with AFCD makes Hong Kong one of the cleaner long-haul pet destinations from Paris. No titre test, no extended waiting period, no quarantine. The critical thing to get right is the rabies vaccination window: it must be between 30 days and 12 months before your Hong Kong arrival date.
Air France flies direct CDG-HKG. Get the vaccination timing right and apply for the AFCD Import Licence well in advance and the rest follows logically.
The France to Hong Kong process
Responsible: Your vet
Responsible: Your vet
Responsible: You or agent via AFCD
Responsible: You or agent
Responsible: DDPP-authorised vet + DDPP
Responsible: You + cargo airline + AFCD
Hong Kong: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before rabies vaccination. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Must be not less than 30 days AND not more than 12 months before Hong Kong arrival. Critical dual window, both conditions must be met. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required. France is a Group 1 country for AFCD Hong Kong. No titre test, no extended waiting period. |
| Quarantine | No routine quarantine for Group 1 country pets with compliant documentation. AFCD inspection at Hong Kong International Airport cargo facility on arrival. |
| Import permit | Required. AFCD Import Licence for animals. Apply via AFCD at least 30 days before arrival. |
| Health certificate | DDPP-endorsed health certificate in AFCD format, issued within 14 days of travel. |
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No formal export permit for personal pets from France. |
| Health certificate | Official health certificate endorsed by DDPP (Direction Départementale de la Protection des Populations) in AFCD-required format. Issued within 14 days of travel. |
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Air France or Cathay Pacific Cargo fees CDG-HKG |
| 2 | IATA-compliant crate |
| 3 | AFCD Import Licence fee |
| 4 | DDPP health certificate endorsement fees |
| 5 | Agent fee (optional but useful for AFCD licence) |
Read before you book
Airlines on this route
Regulatory compliance sequence
| Step | Action | Timing | Consequence if missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ISO microchip before vaccination | Before vax | Vaccination doesn’t count |
| 2 | Rabies vaccination in 30-365 day window | Calculate from HK arrival date | Fails AFCD inspection |
| 3 | Apply AFCD Import Licence | 30+ days before arrival | No entry to HK |
| 4 | Book Air France/Cathay Pacific Cargo CDG-HKG | 2-4 weeks before travel | N/A |
| 5 | DDPP-endorsed health cert in AFCD format | Within 14 days of travel | Refused at HKG |
| 6 | AFCD inspection at HKG | Travel day | N/A |
Source: AFCD Hong Kong afcd.gov.hk. Verify before starting.
The vaccination window: how to calculate it
AFCD requires the rabies vaccination to be at least 30 days old and not more than 12 months old on the date your pet arrives in Hong Kong. Neither end of the window can be bent.
Work backwards from your planned arrival date. If you plan to arrive in Hong Kong on 1 September, the vaccination must have been given between 2 September of the previous year (12 months back) and 2 August (30 days before). If your pet’s current vaccination will be over 12 months old on arrival, get a booster, and plan it at least 30 days before the Hong Kong arrival date.
This dual window catches people who vaccinate right before travel (too recent) and people who assume a vet-current vaccination is AFCD-current (not necessarily true if it’s over 12 months old by arrival).
Air France vs Cathay Pacific: both direct CDG-HKG
Air France Cargo operates direct Charles de Gaulle to Hong Kong International Airport, making it the natural departure choice for French-origin pets. Their CDG cargo team handles live animals regularly, and the route is well-established.
Cathay Pacific Cargo operates the same route in both directions. As Hong Kong’s own carrier, their cargo team at HKG have deep daily familiarity with AFCD import inspection procedures on arrival. Both are solid options, the choice often comes down to cargo space availability on your preferred travel date.
Common questions
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