Living in Hong Kong - Pets

PETS

* Quarantine for pets varies from 0-6 months subject to their history and vaccination records.
* You may bring your cat, dog or bird into Hong Kong with a minimum amount of fuss if you are coming from a Category I or Category II country.
* Animals from a Category III country must go through quarantine at the owner's expense.
* For importing your pets to Hong Kong, you need to obtain in advance a special import permit from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
* It usually takes 5 working days to process the application from the date of receipt of permit fee to the date of issue, subject to provision of all required information.
* Overseas applicants may nominate a person or agent in Hong Kong to apply for the permit on their behalf to minimise inconvenience and to expedite urgent applications.

Application can be done either in person or by mail:
Permit issuing Desk (Counter No. 10), 5/F, Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department, Cheung Sha Wan Govt Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Rd , Kowloon

Office Hours:

- Monday to Friday: 9am – 12.30pm, 1:30pm – 4.15pm;
- Saturdays: 9am – 11.45am.
- Closed Sundays & Public Holidays.

* A prescribed application form AF240 is available for download at the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries & Conversation Dept. website.
* Fax copies are also available from the interactive telephone service. Tel: 2708 8885
* The fee for one animal is HK$432 and HK$102 for every additional animal.
* Fees must be paid at the time of the application. Crossed local cheques or e-payment are acceptable for local applications.
* For overseas applications, the fees should be paid by a bank draft in Hong Kong currency payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ". The bankdraft must be drawn upon a licensed bank in Hong Kong.
* Permits will be delivered by ordinary mail (local) or airmail (overseas) to the address as indicated in the application form. You need to enclose a self-addressed envelope together with the application.
* To avoid postal delay, you may choose to pick up the permit at the licensing office in person or by an appointed agent.
* The permit cannot be dispatched by fax.
* Your permit is valid for 6 months and for one consignment only. Animals must be imported on or before the expiry date of the permit.

Import Requirements

Group I Countries:

* Dogs and cats imported direct from U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Hawaii are normally exempted from quarantine, subject to full compliance with the permit conditions

Group II Countries

* Dogs and cats imported from the following 40 countries or areas may be exempted from quarantine provided the animals comply fully with the permit conditions.

* As the rabies status or other factors may change in these countries, the list is subject to ongoing review.

Austria Bahamas Bahrain Belgium Bermuda
Brunei Canada Cayman Island Cyprus Denmark
Finland France Germany Gibraltar Guam
Iceland Italy Jamaica Japan Luxembourg
Malaysia Maldives Malta Mauritius Norway
New Caledonia Papua New Guinea Portugal Seychelles Singapore
Solomon Islands South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland
Taiwan The Netherlands USA (Continental Vanuatu Virgin Islands


Group III Countries

* Dogs and cats imported from countries other than Group I and II are subject to a minimum 4-month quarantine period

Disability Assistance Dog (DAD):

* The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has introduced a new policy for the importation of DADs. This policy exempts DADs from quarantine and the requirement of 6-month residency in the exporting country on the basis of one blood test for Rabies antibody.
* Such policy is applicable to DADs imported from all countries.
* Full explanations and details are available on the HK Agriculture and Fisheries Department website
* Full import and export service for pets to and from Hong Kong are also available.