Pet Transport from the UK to China: GACC Permit, Titre Test, and Quarantine

The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) controls all animal imports. Its requirements for dogs and cats from the UK are among the strictest in the world. Every animal must have a 15-digit ISO microchip implanted before any vaccinations are given. The animal must have received two rabies vaccinations in its lifetime, and the current vaccination must still be valid within 12 months of arrival. A FAVN titre test must be passed at a GACC-approved laboratory, with the blood draw no sooner than 30 days after the second vaccination. The 6-month waiting period then begins from the date of that blood draw, not from the date the result arrives. Source: GACC, english.customs.gov.cn.

The GACC import permit is a separate process that runs in parallel with the vaccination and titre sequence. Applications must be submitted at least 4 months before the intended travel date, and the permit specifies the approved entry port, the owner’s name (which must match their passport exactly), and a travel date window. Approved entry ports include Beijing Capital (PEK), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Chengdu Tianfu (TFU), Shenzhen (SZX), and Chongqing (CKG). You cannot arrive at a non-approved port. If your plans change after the permit is issued, you will need to apply again.

Only one pet per traveller is permitted. If you are relocating two pets, two people must travel with separate permits. This rule is enforced at the border and cannot be worked around. Additionally, the health certificate issued in the UK must name the same traveller as the GACC import permit. Any mismatch between the health certificate and the passport will cause a problem at the GACC inspection point on arrival.

On the UK side, the main regulatory step is the Animal Health Certificate (AHC). This document must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) who is registered with APHA and familiar with the GACC requirements for China. The AHC must be endorsed by APHA within 10 days of the pet’s departure from the UK. Given the tight timing, it is worth identifying your OV and confirming their availability well before your travel date.

PetAir UK handles a significant proportion of UK-origin pet exports via British Airways cargo and is experienced with the China-specific GACC format. If you are using British Airways as your carrier, PetAir UK can coordinate the OV endorsement on the UK side as part of their service, which reduces the risk of a formatting error. The health certificate must list the microchip number, vaccination history, titre test result, and GACC import permit reference.

There is no UK export permit required for personal pet exports. The APHA endorsement of the AHC is the only UK government step. However, because APHA endorsement depends on the OV completing the certificate in the correct format, and because the format must satisfy GACC’s specific requirements, using an OV who has handled China-bound pets before is strongly recommended.

Arrival in China does not mean your pet comes home with you. GACC places all incoming pets directly into quarantine at a designated facility. Dogs remain for 30 days; cats remain for 7 days. The owner cannot take the animal until GACC issues a clearance certificate. The quarantine facility is chosen by GACC, not by the owner, and is located near the arrival port. Costs vary by facility but typically run CNY 3,000-8,000 for a 30-day dog quarantine, covering accommodation, feeding, and veterinary monitoring.

You can generally visit your pet during quarantine, depending on the specific facility’s rules, but you cannot remove them. GACC staff carry out health checks during this period. If any health concern is identified, the quarantine period may be extended and the owner is responsible for all costs. Ensuring your pet is fully healthy before travel is therefore important both for welfare and for practical reasons.

The 30-day quarantine for dogs is one of the more difficult aspects of this route for owners who have not done it before. Planning it into the timeline from the start, both financially and emotionally, avoids it being a surprise. Some expats in China describe the quarantine period as simply part of the process; others find it distressing. Your pet is cared for professionally during this time, but it is a substantial separation after a long journey.