The real arrival experience
Landing in Hong Kong with your pet from the Mainland? It’s not arrivals hall cuddles. Everything happens at cargo—AFCD checks every detail to protect the rabies-free status.
Right after landing
Crate offloaded. Staff scan microchip first (ISO or AVID standard). If it fails, you provide a reader or risk return.
Document handover
They want:
● Import permit (AF240).
● Rabies cert (30 days–1 year old).
● Core vaccine records.
● Health cert from official Mainland vet (within 14 days).
● RNATT results (positive titer).
Since Mainland is Group IIIA (updated 2025), quarantine drops to 30 days if all matches—no more 120 days.
Health inspection
Quick vet look. Most pass if prepped. Then pet heads to quarantine—Kai Tak has more spots now, but book ahead.
Pro tips from someone who’s done it
Notify AFCD duty officer 24 hours prior—speeds everything. Direct flights cut stress. I once had a chip glitch; backup scanner saved the day.
Hidden costs and rules
● Quarantine fees: HK$90/day dogs, HK$46/day cats.
● No cabin travel ever.
● Banned breeds (Pit Bull types, Tosa) = instant no.
Avoid surprises: no permit or wrong timing means big problems. One owner skipped notification—extra wait.
Pros like Pet Travel know the officers and process inside out. Their page on 內地寵物入境香港 explains customs clearly. Makes the whole thing feel manageable instead of scary.
