๐จ๐ณ China ยท Hard ยท ~6 weeks minimum (GACC permit + tight cert window)
Moving a pet from the US to China
China's USDA cert is valid 14 days only โ much tighter than UK's 30 days. Miss the window and you re-do everything.
APHIS source last verified 2026-05-17 ยท USDA page last modified 2026-02-11
What ruins China trips
The specific traps for this destination. Not the generic advice youโll find on the first 10 Google results.
China cert valid 14 days only โ much tighter than EU/UK
China is the tightest USDA certificate window we cover. Get your USDA endorsement โค14 days before arrival โ earlier doesn't help. Plus a GACC import permit needed 14-30 days before arrival.
Microchip must be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccine
Any rabies vaccination given before the microchip is INVALID โ destination will reject it. If your pet was vaccinated first, you'll need to re-vaccinate AFTER microchipping. This is the #3 most common reason trips get reset.
Source โ
What you have to do
- import permit
GACC import permit
Apply for an import permit from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC, ๆตทๅ ณๆป็ฝฒ) 14โ30 days before pet's arrival.
Source โ - endorsement
USDA-endorsed health certificate within 14 days of arrival
China's health certificate validity is 14 days โ much tighter than UK (30d) or Korea (30d). The clock starts at USDA endorsement, not vet signature. Plan vet โ USDA โ flight sequence carefully.
- post arrival restriction
Police registration within 30 days of arrival (dogs only)
Dogs (not cats) must be registered with the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) within 30 days of arrival. Bring owner's passport + the pet. Form: Commitment Letter for Individual Keeping Dogs.
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