Quick Answer
Foreigners can bring pets (cats and dogs only) into China, limited to one per person per entry. Pets must have an electronic microchip, a valid quarantine certificate, and a rabies vaccination certificate. Pets from 19 designated countries/regions are exempt from quarantine; others require 30-day quarantine or a rabies antibody test report.
For travel within China: high-speed rail has pilot pet transport services; airlines allow cargo transport (not in-cabin); subways in all major cities prohibit pets; DiDi offers a dedicated pet ride service. Pet-friendly hotels can be found via Booking.com and Trip.com. Most major cities have local regulations prohibiting dogs in restaurants.
Pet Entry Regulations
Under Customs Notice No. 5 of 2019 (effective May 1, 2019):
- Species — Dogs and cats only; one pet per person per entry
- Microchip — Mandatory; must comply with ISO 11784 and 11785 standards (15-digit numeric code)
- Quarantine certificate — Issued by the official animal quarantine authority of the exporting country
- Rabies vaccination certificate — Must be valid
- Clinical examination — Conducted by the exporting country's official authority within 14 days prior to arrival
Quarantine requirements:
- From 19 designated countries/regions (New Zealand, Australia, UK, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong China, Macau China, etc.) — exempt from quarantine; microchip + on-site inspection only
- From non-designated countries — rabies antibody test report required (titer ≥ 0.5 IU/ml) + on-site inspection pass to qualify for exemption; otherwise 30-day quarantine
- Guide dogs / hearing dogs / search-and-rescue dogs — exempt with user certification + professional training proof
Entry ports: Pets exempt from quarantine may enter through any port. Those requiring quarantine must enter through ports with quarantine facilities (Beijing Capital Airport, Shanghai Pudong/Hongqiao Airport, etc.).
Source: Customs Notice No. 5 of 2019 (customs.gov.cn)
Transportation
High-Speed Rail / Trains
Since 2025, China's high-speed rail has been piloting pet transport services, expanding continuously:
- April 8, 2025: pilot at 5 stations on the Beijing-Shanghai line
- June 2025: expanded to 8 high-speed lines, 25 stations
- By end of 2025: 40+ high-speed rail stations offering the service
Restrictions:
- Household-domesticated cats and dogs only
- Single pet weight ≤ 15 kg; shoulder height ≤ 40 cm
- Valid ID + Animal Quarantine Certificate required (valid for 5 days)
- 47 breeds of dangerous dogs are not accepted
Transport method: Pets are separated from owners, placed in dedicated transport boxes in the train's express cargo cabinet, with staff checking on them at regular intervals (no more than 2 hours apart). Up to 2 pets per passenger.
Source: China State Railway Group (china-railway.com.cn), Xinhua
Airlines
Under CAAC regulations:
- Pets are not allowed in the cabin (except guide dogs / hearing dogs)
- Must be requested at the time of booking; airline approval required
- Charged as excess baggage
- Container must prevent escape, ensure ventilation, and contain waste
Airline differences:
- Air China — Max 32 kg including container; process at least 120 minutes before departure
- Hainan Airlines — Domestic: dogs, cats, pet rabbits, pet ducks; international entry to China: 1 pet only
International flights additionally require entry/exit documents for China and transit countries.
Source: CAAC (caac.gov.cn), Air China, Hainan Airlines official websites
Subway
Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou subways all prohibit pets (except guide dogs and police dogs). Other cities' subways are similarly restrictive. Use taxis or ride-hailing instead.
Taxis / Ride-Hailing
Regular taxi and ride-hailing drivers may refuse pets. DiDi has launched a dedicated pet ride service:
- Piloted in Beijing from March 2022; nationwide launch of Pet Express and Pet Premier in November 2024
- First-time users must create a pet profile (type + weight)
- Option to bring a pet carrier or pet bag
- Drivers are volunteer pet-friendly drivers; vehicles equipped with pet pee pads and disinfectant
- About 20–45% more expensive than regular rides
Note: Regular DiDi Express does not guarantee pet acceptance. Use the dedicated pet ride entry.
Source: DiDi App Store official description
Pet-Friendly Hotels
Multiple platforms offer pet-friendly hotel filters in China:
- Booking.com — Dedicated pet-friendly page; filter for hotels that accept pets by city
- Trip.com — Global pet-friendly hotel recommendations
- Marriott — Pet-friendly hotels in multiple Chinese cities, with pet beds, food bowls, and dog-walking areas
Note: Each hotel has different restrictions on pet type, size, and quantity. Advance notice is usually required, and extra fees may apply. There is no unified pet-friendly standard in China's hotel industry.
Source: Booking.com / Trip.com / Marriott official websites
Restaurant Restrictions
There is no national law governing pets in restaurants, but most major cities have local regulations prohibiting dogs in restaurants:
- Shanghai: Shanghai Dog Management Regulations prohibits bringing dogs into restaurants
- Beijing: Beijing Dog Management Regulations, Article 17, prohibits bringing dogs into restaurants
- Guangzhou: Guangzhou Dog Management Regulations, Article 24
- Hangzhou: Hangzhou Dog Restrictions Regulations, Article 11
In practice: regulations primarily target dogs. Cats and other pets are not covered by most local dog management regulations. Some restaurants and shopping malls voluntarily become pet-friendly, typically in outdoor areas. Starbucks has 450+ pet-friendly locations nationwide, but pets are only allowed in designated outdoor areas.
Source: Xinhua, CCTV, local dog management regulations
Veterinary Services and Boarding
International Veterinary Hospitals
First-tier cities have veterinary hospitals serving the international community with English-language services:
- Beijing ICVS (International Center for Veterinary Services) — Full English + Chinese services; vaccinations, microchip implantation, rabies antibody testing (for export), and entry/exit consultation. Website: icvsasia.com
- AAHA-accredited hospitals — Available in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. Search at aaha.org
- New Ruipeng Group International Hospital Division — International medical team; 10+ branches in Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and more
Source: ICVS official website, AAHA official website, New Ruipeng official website
Pet Boarding
- PetBacker — International pet boarding platform; 200+ pet sitters in China; supports Chinese and English; includes insurance coverage
- Spare Leash — Shanghai-based platform; supports Chinese and English; offers boarding and in-home pet sitting
- HappyNest — In-home visits from ¥80/day; boarding from ¥200/day
- PetsWeCare — Home-style boarding; 24-hour care with regular photo updates
Source: Shanghai government English website, PetBacker / Spare Leash official websites
Practical Tips
- Prepare thoroughly before entry — Confirm the microchip meets ISO standards; obtain quarantine certificate and rabies vaccination certificate in advance
- Designated countries are exempt from quarantine — 19 designated countries/regions are exempt from 30-day quarantine; non-designated countries require advance rabies antibody testing
- Get the quarantine certificate just before high-speed rail travel — The Animal Quarantine Certificate is valid for only 5 days; obtain it close to departure
- Contact the airline at booking — Request pet transport when booking, not at the airport
- If subway doesn't work, use DiDi Pet — Regular DiDi doesn't guarantee pet acceptance; use the dedicated pet ride entry
- Confirm hotel pet policy in advance — Even on pet-friendly platforms, contact the hotel directly to confirm restrictions
- Most restaurants don't allow dogs — Most major cities have local regulations prohibiting it. Cats face relatively looser restrictions.
- Keep vet contact info handy — ICVS (Beijing) and AAHA-accredited hospitals offer English-language services
- Book boarding in advance — Demand is high during holidays; book 1–2 weeks ahead
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