Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Hong Kong SAR China → Chile
What the official rules ask for on this route, for a family pet travelling with its owner. Enter your travel date and your pet’s details to turn it into a dated checklist.
How early to start
3 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet (the least time the official waiting periods allow)
5 days
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Counted only from the officially fixed waiting periods. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times are on top, so start earlier.
What your dog needs
Dogs
Vet exam
Clinical examination by a vet
A vet examines your pet within the 10 days before the CVI is issued and finds no clinical signs of infectious or parasitic disease.
Details and the official words
“dentro de los 10 días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI”
Identification
Permanent individual identification (microchip or tattoo)
Your pet must be identified individually and permanently by a microchip or a tattoo, following ISO 11784/11785. The number on the CVI must match the animal's.
Details and the official words
We can only mark a microchip as done from your pet's records; a tattoo that meets the standard is also accepted.
“Deben estar identificados de forma individual y permanente, mediante tatuaje o microchip (conforme a las normas ISO 11784/11785).”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
A pet that is vaccinated for the first time (or whose last dose was given after the previous vaccine expired), at any age, must be immunised at least 21 days before entering Chile. For a pet that is not a first-time vaccinate, the last two doses must be certified, otherwise it counts as a first-time vaccinate.
Details and the official words
The 21-day wait only applies to a first or lapsed vaccination; the plan shows it for every vaccine date, so a pet with an in-date booster can ignore it.
“deben ser inmunizados al menos 21 días previos al ingreso a Chile”
“En animales no primo-vacunados, se debe certificar la información de las 2 últimas dosis aplicadas, de lo contrario se considerarán como primo-vacunados.”
Treatment
Internal and external parasite treatment
A broad-spectrum treatment against internal and external parasites, with a product approved by your country's health authority, given between 5 and 30 days before the CVI is issued.
Details and the official words
“Los animales deben ser tratados entre 5 y 30 días previos a la emisión del CVI con un antiparasitario de uso interno y externo”
Paperwork
International Veterinary Certificate (CVI)
A CVI issued by the health authority of the country your pet is coming from, meeting all of Chile's requirements. It is valid for 10 days, extendable by up to 5 more depending on the travel conditions. Your pet's identification number on it must match the animal.
Details and the official words
SAG allows an extension of up to 5 days 'according to the conditions of the trip'; the page doesn't say who decides. We plan for 10 days.
AFCD endorsement or certification of the health certificate: If the destination needs an official stamp: take the completed health certificate from a registered vet (normally issued within 10 days before departure, or as the destination specifies), vaccination records, dog licence (dogs only), any import permit and other original documents to AFCD in person. Endorsement or certification is ready the next working day (same session: morning applications the next morning, afternoon the next afternoon).
AFCD's certificate is valid for 10 days from issue in general, but the destination's rules decide.
“deben venir amparados por un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI)”
“El CVI tiene una vigencia de 10 días, con un máximo prorrogable de 5 días de acuerdo a las condiciones del viaje.”
“normally issued within 10 days prior to departure, or as specified by the destination country/place”
“Official Endorsement/Official Certification of Information on an Animal Health Certificate: one working day.”
On arrival
SAG check on arrival
On arrival SAG checks that your health certificate (or EU passport) meets the requirements.
Details and the official words
“Al llegar a Chile, el SAG verificará que la certificación sanitaria”
Only in some cases
Vet exam · only in some cases
AFCD official veterinary examination (only if the destination requires it)
If the destination specifically requires an Official Veterinary Examination, apply for an Official Animal Health Certificate instead: bring your pet to AFCD, where a Government Veterinary Officer inspects it before issuing the certificate (ready in two working days). Book an appointment on 2150 7062 at least 10 working days before the inspection.
Details and the official words
“You must make an appointment at least 10 working days prior to the expected date of inspection.”
Good to know
- Dogs and cats coming from European Union member states may use their EU pet passport instead of a CVI.
- On arrival SAG may apply other laws and regulations on preventing and controlling animal disease, so the paperwork below is the minimum.
- These rules come from SAG Resolution 3.343 of 2026 (modified by Resolution 5.444/2026). Older SAG material and third-party guides may still show the earlier requirements, so rely on the page linked here.
- AFCD tells you to contact the destination's government authority and your airline or shipping company for the import requirements; you may also need an import permit or licence from the destination.
- Will your pet come back to Hong Kong? Certain steps must be completed before export, so check AFCD's guidance for returning pets first.
- AFCD applications are made in person at the Certification Desk (Counter No. 9), 5th Floor, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, Monday to Friday (closed weekends and public holidays). Fees are paid when you apply.
What your cat needs
Cats
Vet exam
Clinical examination by a vet
A vet examines your pet within the 10 days before the CVI is issued and finds no clinical signs of infectious or parasitic disease.
Details and the official words
“dentro de los 10 días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI”
Identification
Permanent individual identification (microchip or tattoo)
Your pet must be identified individually and permanently by a microchip or a tattoo, following ISO 11784/11785. The number on the CVI must match the animal's.
Details and the official words
We can only mark a microchip as done from your pet's records; a tattoo that meets the standard is also accepted.
“Deben estar identificados de forma individual y permanente, mediante tatuaje o microchip (conforme a las normas ISO 11784/11785).”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
A pet that is vaccinated for the first time (or whose last dose was given after the previous vaccine expired), at any age, must be immunised at least 21 days before entering Chile. For a pet that is not a first-time vaccinate, the last two doses must be certified, otherwise it counts as a first-time vaccinate.
Details and the official words
The 21-day wait only applies to a first or lapsed vaccination; the plan shows it for every vaccine date, so a pet with an in-date booster can ignore it.
“deben ser inmunizados al menos 21 días previos al ingreso a Chile”
“En animales no primo-vacunados, se debe certificar la información de las 2 últimas dosis aplicadas, de lo contrario se considerarán como primo-vacunados.”
Treatment
Internal and external parasite treatment
A broad-spectrum treatment against internal and external parasites, with a product approved by your country's health authority, given between 5 and 30 days before the CVI is issued.
Details and the official words
“Los animales deben ser tratados entre 5 y 30 días previos a la emisión del CVI con un antiparasitario de uso interno y externo”
Paperwork
International Veterinary Certificate (CVI)
A CVI issued by the health authority of the country your pet is coming from, meeting all of Chile's requirements. It is valid for 10 days, extendable by up to 5 more depending on the travel conditions. Your pet's identification number on it must match the animal.
Details and the official words
SAG allows an extension of up to 5 days 'according to the conditions of the trip'; the page doesn't say who decides. We plan for 10 days.
AFCD endorsement or certification of the health certificate: If the destination needs an official stamp: take the completed health certificate from a registered vet (normally issued within 10 days before departure, or as the destination specifies), vaccination records, dog licence (dogs only), any import permit and other original documents to AFCD in person. Endorsement or certification is ready the next working day (same session: morning applications the next morning, afternoon the next afternoon).
AFCD's certificate is valid for 10 days from issue in general, but the destination's rules decide.
“deben venir amparados por un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI)”
“El CVI tiene una vigencia de 10 días, con un máximo prorrogable de 5 días de acuerdo a las condiciones del viaje.”
“normally issued within 10 days prior to departure, or as specified by the destination country/place”
“Official Endorsement/Official Certification of Information on an Animal Health Certificate: one working day.”
On arrival
SAG check on arrival
On arrival SAG checks that your health certificate (or EU passport) meets the requirements.
Details and the official words
“Al llegar a Chile, el SAG verificará que la certificación sanitaria”
Only in some cases
Vet exam · only in some cases
AFCD official veterinary examination (only if the destination requires it)
If the destination specifically requires an Official Veterinary Examination, apply for an Official Animal Health Certificate instead: bring your pet to AFCD, where a Government Veterinary Officer inspects it before issuing the certificate (ready in two working days). Book an appointment on 2150 7062 at least 10 working days before the inspection.
Details and the official words
“You must make an appointment at least 10 working days prior to the expected date of inspection.”
Good to know
- Dogs and cats coming from European Union member states may use their EU pet passport instead of a CVI.
- On arrival SAG may apply other laws and regulations on preventing and controlling animal disease, so the paperwork below is the minimum.
- These rules come from SAG Resolution 3.343 of 2026 (modified by Resolution 5.444/2026). Older SAG material and third-party guides may still show the earlier requirements, so rely on the page linked here.
- AFCD tells you to contact the destination's government authority and your airline or shipping company for the import requirements; you may also need an import permit or licence from the destination.
- Will your pet come back to Hong Kong? Certain steps must be completed before export, so check AFCD's guidance for returning pets first.
- Bengal and Savannah cats (and crosses) need documents showing they are 5th generation or later of domestic ancestry and not controlled under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586.
- AFCD applications are made in person at the Certification Desk (Counter No. 9), 5th Floor, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, Monday to Friday (closed weekends and public holidays). Fees are paid when you apply.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from Hong Kong SAR China to Chile?
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 into Chile?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog be quarantined in Chile?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
Does my dog need a microchip?
Yes: Your pet must be identified individually and permanently by a microchip or a tattoo, following ISO 11784/11785.