Bring Pets from Europe to Hong Kong
Many Hong Kong residents who once lived in European countries have returned to Hong Kong due to work transfers, family arrangements or repatriation, and wish to bring their beloved pets to live with them. Demand for pet importation from Europe to Hong Kong is rising steadily. The good news is that EU member states are classified as Group 2 by the Hong Kong Government. Provided all entry requirements are met, pets do not need quarantine upon arrival and can head home immediately after customs clearance.
To arrange smooth entry for pets travelling from c to Hong Kong, the following criteria must be satisfied: pet microchip, vaccinations, vaccination records, health certificate with AFCD endorsement, IATA-approved travel crate, and Hong Kong pet import permit. For preparation, we recommend contacting us at least 1.5 months in advance, and your pet will require a minimum of 2 veterinary visits. Regarding entry mode: pets must arrive via air cargo or private aircraft. They cannot be transported as cabin baggage or standard checked luggage.
Pet Travel is your trusted Hong Kong pet relocation and pet travel company operating under Pet Travel Limited, holding Hong Kong Travel Agent Licence No. 354618. We are also the only service provider in Hong Kong with dual IATA accreditation as both Travel Agent and Cargo Agent, specialising exclusively in pet mobility services (IATA Travel Agent: 13335836 | IATA Cargo Agent: 13303910001). We deliver full one-stop pet relocation services for pets from European countries to Hong Kong, including dogs. For enquiries, please fill out our quotation request form or WhatsApp +852 6358 3131 directly to speak with our professional consultants.
Pets Entering Hong Kong from European Countries: Full Breakdown of Group 2 Quarantine-Exempt Requirements
The Hong Kong Government categorises source territories for imported animals into different groups. EU nations fall under Group 2. This means pets coming from Europe may enter Hong Kong without quarantine, so long as all entry criteria are strictly fulfilled. This is excellent news for pet owners, as your companion will avoid lengthy quarantine separation and be reunited with your family right after landing.
Nevertheless, quarantine exemption is conditional on fully accurate paperwork and procedures. First, your pet must be implanted with an ISO-compliant microchip. The microchip acts as your pet’s ID; all vaccination records and health certificates must match the microchip number. Second, pets need rabies vaccine plus combination vaccines: dogs require a 5-in-1 vaccine and cats a 3-in-1 vaccine, with complete vaccination records retained. After rabies vaccination, there is a mandatory 21-day waiting period before the pet can be imported.
For documentation: the animal health certificate must be completed and issued by an official or authorised veterinarian, then endorsed by the competent authority (AFCD endorsement). It should list the pet’s name, microchip number, animal identification and vaccination history. Its validity generally ranges from 1 to 14 days depending on the country, so the issue date must be carefully aligned with your flight schedule. In addition, a Hong Kong pet import permit must be secured beforehand, and transport must use an IATA-approved crate.
Although pets from Europe can enter Hong Kong without quarantine, every step must be completed in sequence and within specified timelines. Errors in paperwork or vaccination can cause application failure, endanger your pet’s safety and health, and may even result in quarantine or return to origin. Engaging an experienced professional agency to handle the process is the safest option.
Pet Relocation Process from European Countries to Hong Kong: Step-by-Step Preparation for Microchip, Vaccinations & Health Certificate
The core procedures for relocating pets from Europe to Hong Kong are outlined below.
- Microchip implantation: Your pet must receive an ISO-standard microchip, the foundation for all subsequent formalities.
- Vaccination: Pets must receive rabies vaccine and wait the mandatory 21 days before import. Dogs also need the 5-in-1 vaccine and cats the 3-in-1 vaccine, with full vaccination records kept. We can guide you to complete microchipping, rabies and combination vaccinations at a local veterinary clinic.
- Veterinary health check & animal health certificate: A vet performs the health examination and issues the certificate, followed by endorsement and import document preparation. Validity runs from the certificate’s issuance by the official vet until document and identity inspection at the port of entry, so timing is critical.
- Apply for Hong Kong pet import permit: This is an indispensable document for European pet relocation to Hong Kong.
- Air transport arrangements: Book cargo space for the pet, prepare live animal shipper’s declaration and air waybill. An airline certificate (Captain’s Affidavit) may also be required for import and export in Hong Kong.
For scheduling, we recommend contacting us 1.5 to 3 months before departure for our pet relocation service. We need time to prepare import/export paperwork and liaise with airlines and customs, while airlines require advance booking of pet cargo space. The whole relocation process requires a minimum of 2 veterinary visits.
Many owners ask: does my pet need a pet passport? Pet passports apply to pets from the USA, UK and EU countries. For Hong Kong entry, however, an animal health certificate replaces the pet passport for import and export clearance. Pet Travel’s professional team will verify every document detail, ensuring lawful procedures and complete paperwork for a smooth relocation.
Notes for Dogs Entering Hong Kong from European Countries: Documentation, Travel Crates & Airline Requirements
Owners planning to bring dogs from Europe to Hong Kong must pay close attention to several details beyond basic microchipping, vaccinations and health certificates. First, airline document requirements: airlines require the original veterinary health certificate, your pet’s vaccination records, live animal shipper’s declaration and air waybill for cargo. Without proper documents, local customs will reject import, and your pet may face quarantine, entry refusal or repatriation. Airlines will only confirm cargo booking once all paperwork is verified.
Second, crate selection: dogs travelling from Europe to Hong Kong must use IATA-approved crates. There are strict measurement guidelines:
- Length = animal’s nose-to-base-of-tail measurement (A) + half the ground-to-elbow height (B)
- Width = twice the shoulder width or widest point (C)
- Height = floor-to-top-of-head or ear-tip height in natural standing posture (D) plus a 3–5 cm bedding allowance
Special note: brachycephalic breeds require crates 10% larger. Flat-faced animals such as Pugs and Exotic Shorthair cats have shorter nasal passages and weaker respiratory systems. Some airlines restrict their carriage during certain months. Owners are generally advised to choose one size up for improved airflow.
Regarding transport safety: pets shipped as air cargo are not stored alongside general freight. They are housed in dedicated climate-controlled pet holds with the same air circulation system as the passenger cabin, maintaining stable temperatures to prevent overheating or chilling. Each pet gets sufficient separation, space and ventilation. To reduce travel stress, we select the most direct route to minimise transit time. The relocation of dogs from Europe to Hong Kong involves many fine details; entrusting coordination to Pet Travel’s professionals greatly reduces risks of mistakes.
Costs for Shipping Dogs from European Countries to Hong Kong: Service Quotation & Inclusions
Many pet owners are most concerned about the cost of shipping dogs from Europe to Hong Kong. Our service pricing is as follows:
- First pet: HK$30,500 onwards (#200 crate, volumetric weight 34KG)
- Each additional pet: HK$20,500 onwards (#200 crate, volumetric weight 34KG)
- HK$250 per kilogram for excess estimated volumetric cargo weight
The quotation covers key items required for EU-to-Hong Kong pet relocation: arrangements for ISO microchip, rabies and combination vaccinations (guided by us at a local clinic; clinic fees are excluded from the quote); pet health examination, animal health certificate, veterinary fees, endorsement and import paperwork; cargo charges and export clearance; Hong Kong airport customs clearance, airport levies and home delivery; plus Pet Travel service fee, document fee, communication fee, cargo booking fee and IATA-approved pet crate.
Items not included (for budget reference only): local veterinary clinic, government or airport transfers (can be arranged on request); pre-departure pet boarding (can be arranged on request); domestic connecting flights, transit fees, handling and transport if there is no direct flight to Hong Kong from the origin city.
Owners often ask why pet air cargo costs more. Animal air transport incurs higher labour costs to safeguard animal welfare, pricing depends on pet size, plus extra handling and customs charges. Airline cargo rates also vary by route, destination and fuel costs. Pet Travel guarantees transparent pricing with zero hidden charges, and initial consultation is free. If you plan to ship dogs or cats from Europe to Hong Kong, complete our quotation request form and provide pet travel details. We will create a custom pet relocation plan and list all charges clearly.
Choose Pet Travel for Pets Entering Hong Kong from European Countries: Full-Service Agency & Professional Advantages
Why hire a professional agency for European pet relocation to Hong Kong instead of handling it yourself? Self-application is possible and some owners choose DIY to save money. However, pet immigration procedures are complex and time-consuming. Without familiarity with pet import and export regulations, mistakes can cause suffering for your pet and unexpected extra expenses. Our service saves you significant time, stress and hassle. We manage all paperwork; pet relocation has been our core expertise for many years.
Pet Travel can handle the following on your behalf: designing the optimal travel plan and full solutions for your pet’s relocation from Europe to Hong Kong; supplying IATA-approved crates for safe transit; pet pick-up from your nominated location; managing all formalities for international pet travel and relocation; preparing and processing all pet export and import documents; selecting the best route, booking flights and completing pet cargo procedures; booking rest areas at major airports where available; and customs clearance at destination.
Our consultant team comprises qualified veterinarians, import and export specialists, pet freight experts and solution designers. Pet Travel maintains long-term partnerships with reputable veterinary clinics. Our partner vets have extensive quarantine experience and full knowledge of all quarantine procedures for dogs and cats entering Hong Kong from Europe. Our pet transport specialists are familiar with pet carriage rules of major airlines and private aircraft operators, assigning dedicated staff to oversee customs declaration and boarding throughout the journey. Our consultants provide one-on-one support and track the entire journey from initial enquiry through to final shipment, delivering regular real-time updates on your pet’s status.
Besides commercial airline services, we also arrange pet travel aboard private jets including Bombardier Global 6000, Challenger 850, Challenger 605, Challenger 350, Gulfstream G650 ER, G550 and G450, the premium choice for distinguished pet journeys. We also offer land transport for safe cross-border transfers to Macau and mainland China.
Whether arranging cargo and customs clearance for dogs shipped from Europe to Hong Kong or coordinating all documents for European pet entry into Hong Kong, Pet Travel cares for your pets as if they were our own. Pet safety and comfort remain our top priority. Our office is at Room 01, 9/F, Cheung Kee Building, 84-86 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong. Fill in our quotation request form, send us your contact details, or WhatsApp +852 6358 3131 to speak with our professional consultants. Pet Travel – helping your pet enter Hong Kong safely and comfortably with ease.
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