Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Hong Kong SAR China → Northern Ireland (UK)
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)
1 day
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.
Which rules apply to you
Hong Kong SAR China is in the group “Annex II of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 — no titer test” in Bringing a dog, cat or ferret into Northern Ireland’s published list.See every group
Headlines for Northern Ireland (UK)
- Rabies blood test for some origins
- Import permit for some pets
- Tapeworm treatment for some pets
- Designated entry point for some trips
What your dog needs
Dogs
Identification
Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped (or, for travel under the EU rules, tattooed before 3 July 2011 with a legible number). Under the EU rules the chip is implanted or read before the rabies vaccination. If the chip isn't ISO standard, bring your own reader.
Details and the official words
“Prior to the rabies vaccination, the pet animal (dog, cat, or ferret) must be marked by the implantation of a microchip.”
“You must bring your own microchip reader when you travel if your pet’s microchip does not meet ISO standards.”
“Your pet must be microchipped. They do not need rabies vaccinations or tapeworm treatment if you have a PTD.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
An authorised vet vaccinates your pet against rabies when it is at least 12 weeks old, after the microchip. Wait at least 21 days after the first vaccination before travelling (30 if the vaccine's datasheet says so); a booster given before the previous vaccination expires needs no wait.
Details and the official words
“the pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine is administered,”
“This must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given.”
“(This wait does not apply to an annual or 3 yearly booster vaccination, provided the booster is administered before the original vaccination expires),”
Paperwork
Animal health certificate
An official vet in the country you travel from issues an animal health certificate. It is valid for 10 days from issue for entering Northern Ireland, then for 6 months of onward travel within the EU (after the endorsement on arrival).
Details and the official words
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.
“Animal Health Certificate (valid for 10 days from date of issue for entry into an EU Member State (including NI) and for 6 months onward travel within the EU)”
“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.”
Treatment
Tapeworm treatment (dogs)
A vet treats your dog against tapeworm between 120 and 24 hours before it enters Northern Ireland, and records it. Not needed coming directly from Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway, or from Great Britain with a pet travel document.
Details and the official words
The window is in hours: check the treatment time against your arrival time.
“Tapeworm treatment must be administered not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before scheduled entry into the territory.”
“However please note when travelling between NI and the ROI tapeworm treatment is not required.”
“Dogs moving directly between any EU country listed in Annex XIX to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/620, (Finland, Ireland, Malta, and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) or Norway are exempted from the treatment against the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis”
Route
Enter through a travellers' point of entry
From a Part 2 listed or unlisted country, enter Northern Ireland through a travellers' point of entry: Belfast or Larne port, or Belfast International, Belfast City or City of Derry airport. Contact it before you arrive.
Details and the official words
“to enter EU (including NI) through a Travellers Point of Entry”
“Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport can be contacted at daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk .”
Only in some cases
Notice · only in some cases
Flying in: tell DAERA in advance
Only if you arrive by air: email DAERA (daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk) before you travel: at least 10 working days ahead from Great Britain, at least 10 days ahead from elsewhere.
Details and the official words
“You must tell the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) at least 10 working days before you travel.”
“If you will be arriving into Northern Ireland via air, you must contact daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk at least 10 days in advance of your intended date of travel to pre-notify your arrival.”
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
- The wait after a first rabies vaccination is at least 21 days, but if the vaccine's datasheet says immunity only starts on day 30, you wait 30 days. Your vet records the date the vaccination is valid from.
- Arriving on an animal health certificate and travelling on to Ireland or another EU country? Report to the travellers' point of entry when you arrive so DAERA officials endorse the certificate. Without the endorsement it isn't valid for onward travel.
- 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
Identification
Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped (or, for travel under the EU rules, tattooed before 3 July 2011 with a legible number). Under the EU rules the chip is implanted or read before the rabies vaccination. If the chip isn't ISO standard, bring your own reader.
Details and the official words
“Prior to the rabies vaccination, the pet animal (dog, cat, or ferret) must be marked by the implantation of a microchip.”
“You must bring your own microchip reader when you travel if your pet’s microchip does not meet ISO standards.”
“Your pet must be microchipped. They do not need rabies vaccinations or tapeworm treatment if you have a PTD.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
An authorised vet vaccinates your pet against rabies when it is at least 12 weeks old, after the microchip. Wait at least 21 days after the first vaccination before travelling (30 if the vaccine's datasheet says so); a booster given before the previous vaccination expires needs no wait.
Details and the official words
“the pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine is administered,”
“This must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given.”
“(This wait does not apply to an annual or 3 yearly booster vaccination, provided the booster is administered before the original vaccination expires),”
Paperwork
Animal health certificate
An official vet in the country you travel from issues an animal health certificate. It is valid for 10 days from issue for entering Northern Ireland, then for 6 months of onward travel within the EU (after the endorsement on arrival).
Details and the official words
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.
“Animal Health Certificate (valid for 10 days from date of issue for entry into an EU Member State (including NI) and for 6 months onward travel within the EU)”
“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.”
Route
Enter through a travellers' point of entry
From a Part 2 listed or unlisted country, enter Northern Ireland through a travellers' point of entry: Belfast or Larne port, or Belfast International, Belfast City or City of Derry airport. Contact it before you arrive.
Details and the official words
“to enter EU (including NI) through a Travellers Point of Entry”
“Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport can be contacted at daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk .”
Only in some cases
Notice · only in some cases
Flying in: tell DAERA in advance
Only if you arrive by air: email DAERA (daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk) before you travel: at least 10 working days ahead from Great Britain, at least 10 days ahead from elsewhere.
Details and the official words
“You must tell the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) at least 10 working days before you travel.”
“If you will be arriving into Northern Ireland via air, you must contact daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk at least 10 days in advance of your intended date of travel to pre-notify your arrival.”
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
- The wait after a first rabies vaccination is at least 21 days, but if the vaccine's datasheet says immunity only starts on day 30, you wait 30 days. Your vet records the date the vaccination is valid from.
- Arriving on an animal health certificate and travelling on to Ireland or another EU country? Report to the travellers' point of entry when you arrive so DAERA officials endorse the certificate. Without the endorsement it isn't valid for onward travel.
- 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 Northern Ireland (UK)?
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 Northern Ireland (UK)?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog be quarantined in Northern Ireland (UK)?
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 microchipped (or, for travel under the EU rules, tattooed before 3 July 2011 with a legible number).