Pet travel route
Dog or cat from the Dominican Republic to Hong Kong SAR China
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least about 3 months ahead for a dog (about 6 months for a cat). The main steps: microchip (ISO or AVID), core vaccinations (within the last year) and AFCD Special Permit and 4 more.
Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 8 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- Hong Kong SAR China puts the Dominican Republic in the group “Group IIIB place”, which decides part of the rules.
- On this route: import permit needed, quarantine on arrival and tell the authority in advance.
- No rabies blood test on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving the Dominican Republic publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. DIGEGA's page lists the steps and documents but gives no deadline before departure and doesn't say when the Dominican veterinary college (COLVET) stamp or the VUCE single-window process is needed. Start early and ask DIGEGA (809-535-9689, ext. 307) what applies to your destination.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
about 3 months
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Book quarantine (AFCD's estimated average wait for its centre is about 3 months for dogs — it may be shorter or longer)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- No rabies blood test
- Import permit needed
- Quarantine on arrival
- Tell the authority in advance
How early to start (cats)
about 6 months
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Book quarantine (AFCD's estimated average wait for its centre is about 6 months for cats — it may be shorter or longer)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- No rabies blood test
- Import permit needed
- Quarantine on arrival
- Tell the authority in advance
Which rules apply to you
Hong Kong SAR China puts the Dominican Republic in the group “Group IIIB place”. See every group
Official name: Group IIIB — at least 120 days' quarantine
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Rule change for pets travelling from the Dominican Republic to Hong Kong SAR China
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Dominican Republic → Hong Kong SAR China
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether the Dominican Republic (leaving) or Hong Kong SAR China (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Hong Kong SAR China
Microchip (ISO or AVID)
Your pet needs a microchip readable by an AVID or ISO scanner. From Group IIIA it must be implanted before the rabies vaccination and blood sample.
Details and the official words
“Your dog/cat must be implanted with a microchip which can be read with an AVID or ISO scanner prior to rabies vaccination and blood sampling.”
VaccinationEntering Hong Kong SAR China
Core vaccinations (within the last year)
Dogs: distemper, infectious canine hepatitis and parvovirus. Cats: panleucopaenia and feline respiratory disease complex (cat flu). Given between 1 year and 14 days before export.
Details and the official words
“not less than 14 days and not more than 1 year prior to export”
PermitEntering Hong Kong SAR China
AFCD Special Permit
Apply to AFCD in advance (in person, by post or via the Trade Single Window). It's issued 5 working days after a complete application, costs HK$432 for one animal (+HK$102 per extra animal on the same permit), and is valid for 6 months for one trip.
Details and the official words
“Dogs and cats should not be brought into Hong Kong (either import or transshipment/transit) unless a Special Permit to do so is obtained in advance from this Department.”
“it takes 5 working days from the date of receipt of application and permit fee to the date of issue”
“Valid for 6 months and for one consignment only.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examLeaving the Dominican Republic
Health certificate from a vet, with an up-to-date vaccination record
Take your pet to a vet for a health certificate. Bring an up-to-date vaccination record with a current rabies vaccination and a current parasite treatment, a microchip where your destination requires one, and any extra document your destination asks for (such as a rabies blood test). Get the Dominican veterinary college (COLVET) signature and stamp when it is required.
Details and the official words
“Certificado de salud emitido por médico veterinario.”
“Récord o tarjeta de vacunación actualizado.”
“Vacuna antirrábica vigente.”
“Documentación adicional exigida por el país de destino (Serología vacuna de Rabia).”
“Obtener firma/sello del COLVET cuando sea requerido.”
PaperworkThe Dominican Republic and Hong Kong SAR China
Animal health certificate
Issued no more than 14 days before export (from Group IIIA: no more than 7 days), signed by a government vet — or by a registered vet and endorsed by a government vet. It must show the microchip number.
Details and the official words
DIGEGA validates the documents; official inspection at the port of exit: Present the documents to DIGEGA (Ciudad Ganadera, Santo Domingo, Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm) to be signed and stamped (RD$ 500), and complete the VUCE single-window process where it applies. DIGEGA answers within 1 to 24 hours. Then go to the port of exit, where an official vet inspects your pet and issues the zoosanitary certificate.
“Dated not more than 14 days before the export”
“The animal health certificate must be issued not more than 7 days prior to export.”
“The animal health certificate must be issued not more than 14 days prior to export.”
“Presentar la documentación ante DIGEGA para validación (Firma y sellado).”
“Realizar el proceso correspondiente en VUCE cuando aplique.”
“Dirigirse al puerto de salida para la inspección veterinaria oficial y emisión del certificado zoosanitario correspondiente.”
“Lunes a Viernes de 8:00 am – 4:00 pm”
“1-24 Horas”
“RD$ 500.00 pesos según el protocolo específico publicado por DIGEGA; conviene validar si existen costos adicionales asociados al trámite/VUCE o al destino.”
NoticeEntering Hong Kong SAR China
Notify AFCD before arrival
Tell the AFCD Duty Officer (Import & Export Section) at least 24 hours before your pet's expected arrival time.
Details and the official words
“You should notify the Duty Officer of the Import & Export Section at least 24 hours before your dog/cat’s anticipated arrival time in Hong Kong.”
Travel day and arrival
On arrivalEntering Hong Kong SAR China
Hong Kong dog licence and rabies shot on arrival
Dogs 5 months or older get a Hong Kong dog licence and a rabies vaccination on arrival, at your cost.
Details and the official words
“all dogs over 5 months of age in Hong Kong are required by law to obtain a dog licence and vaccination against rabies.”
QuarantineEntering Hong Kong SAR China
Book quarantine
Pets from Group IIIA stay at least 30 days, and from Group IIIB at least 120 days, in quarantine (AFCD's Animal Management Centre or the SPCA licensed centre), at your cost. Submit the booking form (PC100) with your documents to join the waiting list.
Details and the official words
“The estimated average waiting time for AFCD quarantine facility is approximately 3 months for dogs and 6 months for cats at present.”
“Dogs and cats imported from Group IIIA countries / places are subject to a minimum of 30 days quarantine period”
“Dogs and cats imported from Group IIIB countries / places are subject to a minimum of 120-day quarantine period”
Good to know
- Pets must arrive in Hong Kong as manifested cargo — not in the cabin or as excess baggage — by the fastest, most direct route.
- AFCD: don't make final travel arrangements until your Special Permit has been granted.
- Banned in Hong Kong: Pit Bull Terrier (American Staffordshire Terrier), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and their crosses (Staffordshire Bull Terriers need a statutory declaration). Bengal cats need proof of 5th generation or later.
- Meeting DIGEGA's requirements doesn't replace your destination's entry requirements: check them before you start, as some countries ask for a microchip, a rabies blood test or other certificates. DIGEGA recommends starting well ahead of your travel date.
Cats
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Hong Kong SAR China
Microchip (ISO or AVID)
Your pet needs a microchip readable by an AVID or ISO scanner. From Group IIIA it must be implanted before the rabies vaccination and blood sample.
Details and the official words
“Your dog/cat must be implanted with a microchip which can be read with an AVID or ISO scanner prior to rabies vaccination and blood sampling.”
VaccinationEntering Hong Kong SAR China
Core vaccinations (within the last year)
Dogs: distemper, infectious canine hepatitis and parvovirus. Cats: panleucopaenia and feline respiratory disease complex (cat flu). Given between 1 year and 14 days before export.
Details and the official words
“not less than 14 days and not more than 1 year prior to export”
PermitEntering Hong Kong SAR China
AFCD Special Permit
Apply to AFCD in advance (in person, by post or via the Trade Single Window). It's issued 5 working days after a complete application, costs HK$432 for one animal (+HK$102 per extra animal on the same permit), and is valid for 6 months for one trip.
Details and the official words
“Dogs and cats should not be brought into Hong Kong (either import or transshipment/transit) unless a Special Permit to do so is obtained in advance from this Department.”
“it takes 5 working days from the date of receipt of application and permit fee to the date of issue”
“Valid for 6 months and for one consignment only.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examLeaving the Dominican Republic
Health certificate from a vet, with an up-to-date vaccination record
Take your pet to a vet for a health certificate. Bring an up-to-date vaccination record with a current rabies vaccination and a current parasite treatment, a microchip where your destination requires one, and any extra document your destination asks for (such as a rabies blood test). Get the Dominican veterinary college (COLVET) signature and stamp when it is required.
Details and the official words
“Certificado de salud emitido por médico veterinario.”
“Récord o tarjeta de vacunación actualizado.”
“Vacuna antirrábica vigente.”
“Documentación adicional exigida por el país de destino (Serología vacuna de Rabia).”
“Obtener firma/sello del COLVET cuando sea requerido.”
PaperworkThe Dominican Republic and Hong Kong SAR China
Animal health certificate
Issued no more than 14 days before export (from Group IIIA: no more than 7 days), signed by a government vet — or by a registered vet and endorsed by a government vet. It must show the microchip number.
Details and the official words
DIGEGA validates the documents; official inspection at the port of exit: Present the documents to DIGEGA (Ciudad Ganadera, Santo Domingo, Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm) to be signed and stamped (RD$ 500), and complete the VUCE single-window process where it applies. DIGEGA answers within 1 to 24 hours. Then go to the port of exit, where an official vet inspects your pet and issues the zoosanitary certificate.
“Dated not more than 14 days before the export”
“The animal health certificate must be issued not more than 7 days prior to export.”
“The animal health certificate must be issued not more than 14 days prior to export.”
“Presentar la documentación ante DIGEGA para validación (Firma y sellado).”
“Realizar el proceso correspondiente en VUCE cuando aplique.”
“Dirigirse al puerto de salida para la inspección veterinaria oficial y emisión del certificado zoosanitario correspondiente.”
“Lunes a Viernes de 8:00 am – 4:00 pm”
“1-24 Horas”
“RD$ 500.00 pesos según el protocolo específico publicado por DIGEGA; conviene validar si existen costos adicionales asociados al trámite/VUCE o al destino.”
NoticeEntering Hong Kong SAR China
Notify AFCD before arrival
Tell the AFCD Duty Officer (Import & Export Section) at least 24 hours before your pet's expected arrival time.
Details and the official words
“You should notify the Duty Officer of the Import & Export Section at least 24 hours before your dog/cat’s anticipated arrival time in Hong Kong.”
Travel day and arrival
QuarantineEntering Hong Kong SAR China
Book quarantine
Pets from Group IIIA stay at least 30 days, and from Group IIIB at least 120 days, in quarantine (AFCD's Animal Management Centre or the SPCA licensed centre), at your cost. Submit the booking form (PC100) with your documents to join the waiting list.
Details and the official words
“The estimated average waiting time for AFCD quarantine facility is approximately 3 months for dogs and 6 months for cats at present.”
“Dogs and cats imported from Group IIIA countries / places are subject to a minimum of 30 days quarantine period”
“Dogs and cats imported from Group IIIB countries / places are subject to a minimum of 120-day quarantine period”
Good to know
- Pets must arrive in Hong Kong as manifested cargo — not in the cabin or as excess baggage — by the fastest, most direct route.
- AFCD: don't make final travel arrangements until your Special Permit has been granted.
- Banned in Hong Kong: Pit Bull Terrier (American Staffordshire Terrier), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and their crosses (Staffordshire Bull Terriers need a statutory declaration). Bengal cats need proof of 5th generation or later.
- Meeting DIGEGA's requirements doesn't replace your destination's entry requirements: check them before you start, as some countries ask for a microchip, a rabies blood test or other certificates. DIGEGA recommends starting well ahead of your travel date.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in the Dominican Republic publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
DIGEGA validation of the export documentsLeaving Dominican Republic500 DOP
“RD$ 500.00 pesos según el protocolo específico publicado por DIGEGA”
Permisología para la Importación / Exportación de Perros y Gatos (DIGEGA) · as of 2026-10-12
AFCD Special PermitEntering Hong Kong SAR China · 102 HKD for each extra pet432 HKD
“Permit fee for a single animal is HK$432. Fee for each additional animal is HK$102 under a same permit for a single shipment.”
Import of dogs and cats from Group I countries/places · as of 2026-10-08
Government fees in total: 500 DOP + 432 HKD (each currency separately)
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
We have no published vet or lab prices for the Dominican Republic yet.
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to the Dominican Republic
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves the Dominican Republic (dogs).
The trip back asks for 5 steps: vet examination within 72 hours before departure, internal and external parasite treatment before the vet examination, rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) from 90 days old, at least 30 days before departure and rabies vaccination within the 12 months before departure and more.
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves the Dominican Republic (cats).
The trip back asks for 5 steps: vet examination within 72 hours before departure, internal and external parasite treatment before the vet examination, rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) from 90 days old, at least 30 days before departure and rabies vaccination within the 12 months before departure and more.
Every step from Hong Kong SAR China to the Dominican Republic
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Import of dogs and cats (groups and special permit)
- Import of dogs and cats from Group I countries/places
- Import of dogs and cats from Group II countries/places
- Import of dogs and cats from Group IIIA countries/places
- Import of dogs and cats from Group IIIB countries/places
- Permit terms DC-01v05 (Group I)
- Permit terms DC-02v05 (Group II)
- Permisología para la Importación / Exportación de Perros y Gatos (DIGEGA)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-12.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from the Dominican Republic to Hong Kong SAR China?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Hong Kong SAR China?
Yes: Apply to AFCD in advance (in person, by post or via the Trade Single Window).
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Hong Kong SAR China?
It can be: Pets from Group IIIA stay at least 30 days, and from Group IIIB at least 120 days, in quarantine (AFCD's Animal Management Centre or the SPCA licensed centre), at your cost.
How early should I start preparing my pet for the Dominican Republic to Hong Kong SAR China?
With nothing done yet, start at least about 3 months ahead for a dog (about 6 months for a cat). The main steps: microchip (ISO or AVID), core vaccinations (within the last year) and AFCD Special Permit and 4 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
Read next
Turn this into dates for your pet
Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.