Pet Transport from Ireland to China

Moving to China from Ireland with a dog or cat means starting the paperwork months before your flight. This route is one of the most demanding international pet transport routes. …

26-32 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Step by step

The import process, in full

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

Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks

Apply for import permit from China

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

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

Immediately on arrival (mandatory)

Quarantine on arrival (30 days for dogs, 7 days for cats from approved countriesountries) - check current rules days)

Responsible: China quarantine authority

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip

Required (ISO 15 digit). Must be implanted before vaccinations

Rabies vaccination

Required. Must be administered at least 30 days before travel but within 12 months.

Rabies titre test

Required for: All dogs and cats from most countries. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day wait from test date before entry

Quarantine

Mandatory quarantine. 30 days for dogs, 7 days for cats from approved countriesountries) - check current rules days. Facility: GACC-approved quarantine facility. Quarantine is mandatory. Facility and duration depends on origin country and species. Cats from some listed countries may be 7 days. Dogs typically 30 days.

Import permit

Required. Import permit must be obtained before travel. Very limited entry airports: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou main points. Must declare on arrival customs form.

Health certificate

Required. Official Veterinary Health Certificate. Issued by: Official government veterinarian. Valid for 14 days from issue. Must include microchip, vaccination records, titre test results, rabies-free status of origin region, and parasite treatment.

Export permit

No export permit required for pet cats and dogs.

Health certificate

EU pets can use existing EU passport. Non-EU destinations require destination-country AHC.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Ireland to China move gets missed.

Pet Transport Global

Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

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

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

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

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

Import permit application fee (China)

Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.

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

Key requirements for moving your pet to China

This is one of the more demanding international pet transport corridors. China runs a strict biosecurity programme and there are no shortcuts through it.

All pets must complete quarantine on arrival in China (at GACC-approved quarantine facility) for 30 days for dogs, 7 days for cats from approved countriesountries) - check current rules days. This is non-negotiable and is entirely separate from the pre-travel preparation.

China has strict pet import controls. Only dogs and cats. Limited approved entry points. Mandatory quarantine applies. Allow 4-6 months lead time. Dogs limited to 1 per household in many cities.

Practical advice for shipping your pet from Ireland

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

Allow at least 26 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.

Yes, quarantine is mandatory in China. Your pet will stay for 30 days for dogs, 7 days for cats from approved countriesountries) - check current rules days at GACC-approved quarantine facility on arrival. This is non-negotiable and the cost is paid by the owner.

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 China. Start this process as early as possible.

Yes, an import permit is required from China’s authority (the relevant government body). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.

Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Ireland. The certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check China’s authority for the exact format required.

Ready when you are

Move your pet

to China.

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Airline guides

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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Pet Transport from Ireland to China

The import process, in full

What your pet needs

Carriers on this route

What this route typically costs

Critical points

Key requirements for moving your pet to China

Practical advice for shipping your pet from Ireland

Common questions

Move your pet

Airline guides

Breed guides

Get a free pet transport quote