Pet travel route
Dog or cat from South Africa to China: official requirements
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 2 days ahead for a dog. The main steps: electronic microchip (ISO 11784/11785), rabies vaccination (inactivated or recombinant vaccine) and second rabies vaccination (before the blood sample) and 5 more.
Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 13 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- China puts South Africa in the group “Non-designated country or region”, which decides part of the rules.
- On this route: rabies blood test needed and tell the authority in advance.
- No import permit or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving South Africa publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. In South Africa a state veterinarian of your province certifies your pet's export health certificate (the national Department of Agriculture's information pack confirms this is a provincial task). The only province whose pet guidance we could read is the Western Cape (its page, and info sheets from 2023 and 2024), so the booking time and fee here are the Western Cape's. Other provinces may book, charge and time things differently: ask your provincial state vet office, and check the destination's own requirements.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
2 days
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Official animal health (quarantine) certificate from the country you leave
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- Rabies blood test needed
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Tell the authority in advance
How early to start (cats)
2 days
whether or not your pet is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Official animal health (quarantine) certificate from the country you leave
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- Rabies blood test needed
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Tell the authority in advance
Which rules apply to you
China puts South Africa in the group “Non-designated country or region”. See every group
Official name: Not designated: exempt from quarantine only with a valid chip and a rabies antibody test report from a laboratory accepted by customs
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South Africa → China
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether South Africa (leaving) or China (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
IdentificationEntering China
Electronic microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
Your pet must have an electronic microchip; a valid chip is needed for any exemption from quarantine. If the chip doesn't meet ISO 11784/11785, bring a reader that can read it. The chip number must be the same on every document.
Details and the official words
“宠物应当具有电子芯片。”
“（一）来自指定国家或者地区携带入境的宠物，具有有效电子芯片，经现场检疫合格的；”
“Pet electronic microchip: The microchip must comply with international standards ISO11784 and ISO11785, otherwise you need to bring a reader that can read the implanted microchip.”
VaccinationEntering China
Rabies vaccination (inactivated or recombinant vaccine)
Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies and the vaccination must still be valid when it arrives. Bring the original vaccination certificate (and copies): customs may keep it. China sets no fixed timing for the vaccination: follow the vaccine maker's instructions and your vet.
Details and the official words
“携带宠物入境的，携带人应当向海关提供输出国家或者地区官方动物检疫机构出具的有效检疫证书和狂犬病疫苗接种证书。”
“Certificate of rabies vaccination (inactivated virus vaccine or recombinant/modified vaccine).”
“There is no fixed rule like "one month to one year." The vaccination should be administered according to scientific immunization protocols under the direction of a licensed veterinarian, following the vaccine manufacturer's guidelines.”
“Animal needs to be vaccinated against rabies prior export. Vaccine needs to be used in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Rabies vaccination must be within the validity period at the time of export.”
VaccinationEntering China
Second rabies vaccination (before the blood sample)
The blood sample for the antibody test may not be taken before your pet's second rabies vaccination, so a pet that needs a new test must have had at least two rabies vaccinations. China sets no interval between them: follow your vet's advice. A pet that already has a valid test report needs no extra vaccination.
Details and the official words
“Not necessarily. A second vaccination is only required if your pet needs a new rabies antibody test. If you already have a valid rabies antibody test report, no further vaccinations are needed. The interval between two rabies vaccinations should follow the advice of your veterinarian.”
“Your pet must have been vaccinated at least TWICE in its lifetime, and be CURRENT on rabies vaccinations at the time of arrival in China.”
Blood testEntering China
Rabies antibody test at a laboratory accepted by China (above 0.5 IU/ml)
A pet from a country that is not on China's designated list needs a rabies antibody test report from a laboratory recognised by China's customs, with a titre above 0.5 IU/ml, to avoid 30 days' quarantine. The blood may not be taken before the second rabies vaccination, and the report is valid for one year from the sampling date (to the day of arrival). Bring the original report and a photocopy.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: Without a valid report from an accepted laboratory, your pet must enter through a port with quarantine facilities and stays 30 days in quarantine.
“（二）来自非指定国家或者地区的宠物，具有有效电子芯片，提供采信实验室出具的狂犬病抗体检测报告（抗体滴度或免疫抗体量须在0.5IU/ml以上）并经现场检疫合格的；”
“(The blood collection date for rabies antibody titer testing should not be earlier than the second rabies vaccination, the antibody titer or immune antibody level must be above 0.5 IU/ml, and the test result is valid within one year from the date of blood collection).”
“You must present the original report and a photocopy to Customs.”
“Testing must occur on the same day as, or any day after administration of the second rabies vaccination.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering China
Official clinical inspection within 14 days before arrival
The official agency of the country or region you leave inspects your pet for rabies and other infectious or parasitic diseases within 14 days before it arrives in China.
Details and the official words
“Pets must undergo an animal health clinical inspection conducted by the official agencies of the departing country or region within 14 days prior to their arrival in China.”
“Pets entering on or after this date must meet the new requirements, including a clinical health examination performed within 14 days of arrival.”
Vet examLeaving South Africa
Health check and health certificate from your private vet
Take your pet to your private vet for a health check. The vet completes a standard veterinary health certificate (blank forms from the state vet office, and Western Cape templates for many destinations) and must have done all the tests, treatments and vaccinations the destination asks for: ones not done by the vet are not accepted for certification. The province's general guide asks for the health check within 7 days of travel, depending on what the destination's import permit says.
Details and the official words
“Your pet should be taken to your local private veterinarian for a health check.”
“Your veterinarian should complete a standard Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC).”
“Your veterinarian must have completed all the tests, treatments and vaccinations indicated on the import permit.”
“A health check within 7 days of travel depending on what is specified on the import permit”
PaperworkSouth Africa and China
Official animal health (quarantine) certificate from the country you leave
You must give customs a valid quarantine certificate issued by the official animal quarantine authority of the country or region you leave, after the clinical inspection in the 14 days before arrival. It must show your pet's date of birth or age, the microchip number with its implantation date and site, the rabies vaccination (date, validity, type, brand and maker), the antibody test (sampling date, laboratory and result) and the date and result of the health examination.
Details and the official words
The certificates agreed with the US and the UK must be issued no more than 14 days before arrival in China.
State vet certifies the health certificate: Bring the signed health certificate, the destination's import permit (some destinations, such as EU countries and Namibia, don't issue one), your pet's vaccination booklet, supporting documents and your ID or driver's licence to the state vet office. The state vet certifies the certificate. You pay the application fee at the appointment (R200 per application in 2023 in the Western Cape).
Fee: R200 per application in 2023 (Western Cape general info sheet; its EU info sheet says R209). It is set by the province's tariff list and may have changed.
“携带宠物入境的，携带人应当向海关提供输出国家或者地区官方动物检疫机构出具的有效检疫证书和狂犬病疫苗接种证书。”
“Pet information (including breed, scientific name, gender, color, date of birth or age);”
“Serial number, date, and position of the implanted microchip;”
“Rabies vaccination date and validity period, type of vaccine (inactivated vaccine or recombinant vaccine), vaccine brand, manufacturer's name;”
“Date of rabies antibody titer test, name of testing institution, test result;”
“Result and date of animal health examination.”
“Health certificates must be issued by your USDA accredited veterinarian within 14 days of arrival in China, and be electronically endorsed by USDA-APHIS using the VEHCS system.”
“The certificate is valid for 14 days after issuing”
“Pets travelling out of South Africa generally require a Veterinary Health Certificate certified by a state veterinarian.”
“An import permit from the country you are going to (some countries such as EU countries and Namibia do not issue these, for further information contact your local State Vet)”
“The signed VHC, import permit as well as your pet’s vaccination booklet and supporting documents should be brought to the SV office for certification.”
“Cost for application in 2023 is R200 each”
NoticeLeaving South Africa
Book an appointment with the state vet office
State vet offices certify pets by appointment only. In Cape Town, email vetexport@westerncape.gov.za with the time slot you want, the number of pets and their destination, at least 2 days ahead; other offices ask you to book in good time because the state vet is not always available.
Details and the official words
“To make an appointment, clients are required to send an e-mail to vetexport@westerncape.gov.za with their required time slot.”
“Clients are required to make an appointment at least 2 days in advance.”
Travel day and arrival
On arrivalEntering China
Declare your pet to customs on arrival
Declare your pet to customs when you arrive. Show the official health certificate, the vaccination certificate and, if needed, the antibody test report (original and a copy). Customs checks the documents, scans the microchip and examines your pet; if everything is in order it is released, otherwise it goes to quarantine.
Details and the official words
“Yes, you must declare your pet to Customs upon entry.”
“If all requirements are met and the pet passes the on-site clinical inspection, it will be cleared for entry.”
Good to know
- Only dogs and cats can be carried in, and only one pet per person per entry. China applies this strictly: pets over the limit may be refused entry, returned or destroyed. Each pet needs its own certificate.
- A pet that is not exempt (no valid chip, or from a non-designated place without a valid antibody test report, or that fails the on-site check) is quarantined for 30 days at a site designated by customs, at your cost, and must enter through one of the ports with quarantine facilities: Beijing Capital Airport, Beijing West Railway Station, Shanghai Hongqiao and Pudong airports, Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai International Passenger Transport Center, Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, Urumqi Diwopu Airport, Alashankou or Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. Arriving at another port, it is sent back or destroyed. Tell Chinese customs in advance that a pet needing quarantine is coming.
- The list of designated countries, the laboratories whose antibody test reports customs accepts and the ports with quarantine facilities are set by China's customs (GACC) and can change. Shanghai Customs' guide (updated October 2025) links the current laboratory list.
- If you will live in China, register your dog with the local police where you live within one month of arrival.
- Flying on within China after clearing customs? You may need a separate quarantine certificate for moving between provinces, issued by the local animal health authority (not customs).
- Export certification is done by the veterinary services of your province, so contact the state vet office where you live. In the Western Cape: the Cape Town Veterinary Export Certification Office (34 Roeland Street, vetexport@westerncape.gov.za, by appointment Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 12:00) or the regional state vet offices.
- The destination sets the rules, and you are responsible for getting its import requirements. Check them with the destination's veterinary authority (or its representatives in South Africa) before each trip; the province's info sheets are only a guide.
- Coming back to South Africa later? Dogs and cats entering South Africa need a veterinary import permit from the national Department of Agriculture (VetPermits@nda.gov.za).
Cats
Get ready
IdentificationEntering China
Electronic microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
Your pet must have an electronic microchip; a valid chip is needed for any exemption from quarantine. If the chip doesn't meet ISO 11784/11785, bring a reader that can read it. The chip number must be the same on every document.
Details and the official words
“宠物应当具有电子芯片。”
“（一）来自指定国家或者地区携带入境的宠物，具有有效电子芯片，经现场检疫合格的；”
“Pet electronic microchip: The microchip must comply with international standards ISO11784 and ISO11785, otherwise you need to bring a reader that can read the implanted microchip.”
VaccinationEntering China
Rabies vaccination (inactivated or recombinant vaccine)
Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies and the vaccination must still be valid when it arrives. Bring the original vaccination certificate (and copies): customs may keep it. China sets no fixed timing for the vaccination: follow the vaccine maker's instructions and your vet.
Details and the official words
“携带宠物入境的，携带人应当向海关提供输出国家或者地区官方动物检疫机构出具的有效检疫证书和狂犬病疫苗接种证书。”
“Certificate of rabies vaccination (inactivated virus vaccine or recombinant/modified vaccine).”
“There is no fixed rule like "one month to one year." The vaccination should be administered according to scientific immunization protocols under the direction of a licensed veterinarian, following the vaccine manufacturer's guidelines.”
“Animal needs to be vaccinated against rabies prior export. Vaccine needs to be used in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Rabies vaccination must be within the validity period at the time of export.”
VaccinationEntering China
Second rabies vaccination (before the blood sample)
The blood sample for the antibody test may not be taken before your pet's second rabies vaccination, so a pet that needs a new test must have had at least two rabies vaccinations. China sets no interval between them: follow your vet's advice. A pet that already has a valid test report needs no extra vaccination.
Details and the official words
“Not necessarily. A second vaccination is only required if your pet needs a new rabies antibody test. If you already have a valid rabies antibody test report, no further vaccinations are needed. The interval between two rabies vaccinations should follow the advice of your veterinarian.”
“Your pet must have been vaccinated at least TWICE in its lifetime, and be CURRENT on rabies vaccinations at the time of arrival in China.”
Blood testEntering China
Rabies antibody test at a laboratory accepted by China (above 0.5 IU/ml)
A pet from a country that is not on China's designated list needs a rabies antibody test report from a laboratory recognised by China's customs, with a titre above 0.5 IU/ml, to avoid 30 days' quarantine. The blood may not be taken before the second rabies vaccination, and the report is valid for one year from the sampling date (to the day of arrival). Bring the original report and a photocopy.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: Without a valid report from an accepted laboratory, your pet must enter through a port with quarantine facilities and stays 30 days in quarantine.
“（二）来自非指定国家或者地区的宠物，具有有效电子芯片，提供采信实验室出具的狂犬病抗体检测报告（抗体滴度或免疫抗体量须在0.5IU/ml以上）并经现场检疫合格的；”
“(The blood collection date for rabies antibody titer testing should not be earlier than the second rabies vaccination, the antibody titer or immune antibody level must be above 0.5 IU/ml, and the test result is valid within one year from the date of blood collection).”
“You must present the original report and a photocopy to Customs.”
“Testing must occur on the same day as, or any day after administration of the second rabies vaccination.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering China
Official clinical inspection within 14 days before arrival
The official agency of the country or region you leave inspects your pet for rabies and other infectious or parasitic diseases within 14 days before it arrives in China.
Details and the official words
“Pets must undergo an animal health clinical inspection conducted by the official agencies of the departing country or region within 14 days prior to their arrival in China.”
“Pets entering on or after this date must meet the new requirements, including a clinical health examination performed within 14 days of arrival.”
Vet examLeaving South Africa
Health check and health certificate from your private vet
Take your pet to your private vet for a health check. The vet completes a standard veterinary health certificate (blank forms from the state vet office, and Western Cape templates for many destinations) and must have done all the tests, treatments and vaccinations the destination asks for: ones not done by the vet are not accepted for certification. The province's general guide asks for the health check within 7 days of travel, depending on what the destination's import permit says.
Details and the official words
“Your pet should be taken to your local private veterinarian for a health check.”
“Your veterinarian should complete a standard Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC).”
“Your veterinarian must have completed all the tests, treatments and vaccinations indicated on the import permit.”
“A health check within 7 days of travel depending on what is specified on the import permit”
PaperworkSouth Africa and China
Official animal health (quarantine) certificate from the country you leave
You must give customs a valid quarantine certificate issued by the official animal quarantine authority of the country or region you leave, after the clinical inspection in the 14 days before arrival. It must show your pet's date of birth or age, the microchip number with its implantation date and site, the rabies vaccination (date, validity, type, brand and maker), the antibody test (sampling date, laboratory and result) and the date and result of the health examination.
Details and the official words
The certificates agreed with the US and the UK must be issued no more than 14 days before arrival in China.
State vet certifies the health certificate: Bring the signed health certificate, the destination's import permit (some destinations, such as EU countries and Namibia, don't issue one), your pet's vaccination booklet, supporting documents and your ID or driver's licence to the state vet office. The state vet certifies the certificate. You pay the application fee at the appointment (R200 per application in 2023 in the Western Cape).
Fee: R200 per application in 2023 (Western Cape general info sheet; its EU info sheet says R209). It is set by the province's tariff list and may have changed.
“携带宠物入境的，携带人应当向海关提供输出国家或者地区官方动物检疫机构出具的有效检疫证书和狂犬病疫苗接种证书。”
“Pet information (including breed, scientific name, gender, color, date of birth or age);”
“Serial number, date, and position of the implanted microchip;”
“Rabies vaccination date and validity period, type of vaccine (inactivated vaccine or recombinant vaccine), vaccine brand, manufacturer's name;”
“Date of rabies antibody titer test, name of testing institution, test result;”
“Result and date of animal health examination.”
“Health certificates must be issued by your USDA accredited veterinarian within 14 days of arrival in China, and be electronically endorsed by USDA-APHIS using the VEHCS system.”
“The certificate is valid for 14 days after issuing”
“Pets travelling out of South Africa generally require a Veterinary Health Certificate certified by a state veterinarian.”
“An import permit from the country you are going to (some countries such as EU countries and Namibia do not issue these, for further information contact your local State Vet)”
“The signed VHC, import permit as well as your pet’s vaccination booklet and supporting documents should be brought to the SV office for certification.”
“Cost for application in 2023 is R200 each”
NoticeLeaving South Africa
Book an appointment with the state vet office
State vet offices certify pets by appointment only. In Cape Town, email vetexport@westerncape.gov.za with the time slot you want, the number of pets and their destination, at least 2 days ahead; other offices ask you to book in good time because the state vet is not always available.
Details and the official words
“To make an appointment, clients are required to send an e-mail to vetexport@westerncape.gov.za with their required time slot.”
“Clients are required to make an appointment at least 2 days in advance.”
Travel day and arrival
On arrivalEntering China
Declare your pet to customs on arrival
Declare your pet to customs when you arrive. Show the official health certificate, the vaccination certificate and, if needed, the antibody test report (original and a copy). Customs checks the documents, scans the microchip and examines your pet; if everything is in order it is released, otherwise it goes to quarantine.
Details and the official words
“Yes, you must declare your pet to Customs upon entry.”
“If all requirements are met and the pet passes the on-site clinical inspection, it will be cleared for entry.”
Good to know
- Only dogs and cats can be carried in, and only one pet per person per entry. China applies this strictly: pets over the limit may be refused entry, returned or destroyed. Each pet needs its own certificate.
- A pet that is not exempt (no valid chip, or from a non-designated place without a valid antibody test report, or that fails the on-site check) is quarantined for 30 days at a site designated by customs, at your cost, and must enter through one of the ports with quarantine facilities: Beijing Capital Airport, Beijing West Railway Station, Shanghai Hongqiao and Pudong airports, Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai International Passenger Transport Center, Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, Urumqi Diwopu Airport, Alashankou or Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. Arriving at another port, it is sent back or destroyed. Tell Chinese customs in advance that a pet needing quarantine is coming.
- The list of designated countries, the laboratories whose antibody test reports customs accepts and the ports with quarantine facilities are set by China's customs (GACC) and can change. Shanghai Customs' guide (updated October 2025) links the current laboratory list.
- Flying on within China after clearing customs? You may need a separate quarantine certificate for moving between provinces, issued by the local animal health authority (not customs).
- Export certification is done by the veterinary services of your province, so contact the state vet office where you live. In the Western Cape: the Cape Town Veterinary Export Certification Office (34 Roeland Street, vetexport@westerncape.gov.za, by appointment Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 12:00) or the regional state vet offices.
- The destination sets the rules, and you are responsible for getting its import requirements. Check them with the destination's veterinary authority (or its representatives in South Africa) before each trip; the province's info sheets are only a guide.
- Coming back to South Africa later? Dogs and cats entering South Africa need a veterinary import permit from the national Department of Agriculture (VetPermits@nda.gov.za).
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in South Africa publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
No fee applies to every trip; these may, depending on your case
State vet’s certificate application (Western Cape)Leaving South Africa200 ZAR
The Western Cape’s 2023 figure; its EU info sheet gives R209 for 2023. Each province sets its own tariff: ask your state vet office for the current amount.
“Certificate application cost can be found on the departments tariff register (Cost for application in 2023 is R200 each) each payable on appointment.”
Taking pet dogs and cats overseas: info sheet 'Dogs and cats general 2023' (Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Veterinary International Trade Facilitation) · as of 2023-03-20
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Microchipyour vet · for: electronic microchip (ISO 11784/11785)200–315 ZAR
South Africa: 2 published prices
- Vet House (Pietermaritzburg, KZN): Identipet microchip, supply and insertion200 ZAR · per animal · read 2026-10-13
- The Corner Vet (Bryanston, Johannesburg): Microchipping315 ZAR · per animal · read 2026-10-13
Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: rabies vaccination (inactivated or recombinant vaccine), second rabies vaccination (before the blood sample)250–412 ZAR
South Africa: 3 published prices
- Vet House (Pietermaritzburg, KZN): Rabies vaccine (Nobivac Rabies); the list does not say whether a consultation is included250 ZAR · per vaccination · read 2026-10-13
- Vitalvet (George / Mossel Bay, Western Cape): Rabies-only vaccination (the same price is shown in two of the three branch price tables on the page; the page does not label which table is which branch)300 ZAR · per vaccination · read 2026-10-13
- The Corner Vet (Bryanston, Johannesburg): Rabies-only vaccination for an adult dog (vaccinations section is headed 'Wellness exam and vaccination')412 ZAR · per vaccination · read 2026-10-13
Rabies blood test: the lab’s own pricean approved laboratory; your vet adds the blood draw and the courier · for: rabies antibody test at a laboratory accepted by China (above 0.5 IU/ml)Prices from 8 countries
Austria: 1 published price
- AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety), Institute for Veterinary Investigations Mödling: Lab price for the rabies antibody titre test for pets (EU-recognised lab), samples sent from EU countries, 20% VAT included; transport to the lab paid by the sender97.26 EUR · per sample · read 2026-10-13
France: 2 published prices
- Laboratoire départemental de la Haute-Garonne (LD31 EVA): Lab price for the FAVN (WOAH/OMSA method) rabies antibody test, VAT included, price guaranteed until 31/12/2026 (from the lab's order form)99 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Inovalys (laboratory): Lab price only: rabies antibody titration (COFRAC accredited), ordered online by the owner; the page says the blood sample is taken by your vet and sending it to the lab is the owner's responsibility (no amounts given for those)99.18 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United Kingdom: 2 published prices
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats for pet travel (test code TC0712), single sample, excluding VAT72.30 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats, extended method (test code TC0570), single sample, excluding VAT106 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
Japan: 1 published price
- Research Institute for Animal Science in Biochemistry and Toxicology (RIAS, 一般財団法人生物科学安全研究所): Lab fee only: rabies antibody test at RIAS (a MAFF-designated lab), tax included, paid in advance by bank transfer; vet's blood draw and shipping not included15,000 JPY · per sample · read 2026-10-13
Poland: 1 published price
- National Veterinary Research Institute (PIWet-PIB), Puławy: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test, standard service (max 21 calendar days), electronic report only, gross (VAT included)280 PLN · per test · read 2026-10-13
Sweden: 1 published price
- Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA): Lab price for the FAVN rabies vaccination-check antibody test (article D142410), excluding VAT (exkl. moms)1,365 SEK · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United States: 1 published price
- University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for pet travel/export (University of Missouri VMDL One Health-Rabies Laboratory); shipping not stated79 USD · per test · read 2026-10-13
South Africa: 1 published price
- Agricultural Research Council – Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR): Lab price for the rabies neutralization (antibody) test per clear serum sample, VAT included; the price list does not name FAVN or RFFIT (ARC-Onderstepoort diagnostic price list, PDF created May 2026)2,030 ZAR · per clear serum sample · read 2026-10-13
Vet examinationyour vet · for: official clinical inspection within 14 days before arrival, health check and health certificate from your private vet590 ZAR
South Africa: 2 published prices
- Vet House (Pietermaritzburg, KZN): Normal consultation (routine care price list)590 ZAR · per consultation · read 2026-10-13
- The Corner Vet (Bryanston, Johannesburg): Wellness exam (nose-to-tail consultation)590 ZAR · per consultation · read 2026-10-13
No published prices yet for South Africa: health certificate (vet’s fee).
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 South Africa
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves South Africa (dogs).
The trip back asks for 14 steps: veterinary import permit (before the animal leaves), ISO microchip (tattoos are not accepted), lived in the exporting country since birth or for the last 6 months and rabies vaccination at least 30 days before export (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) and more.
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves South Africa (cats).
The trip back asks for 10 steps: veterinary import permit (before the animal leaves), ISO microchip (tattoos are not accepted), lived in the exporting country since birth or for the last 6 months and rabies vaccination at least 30 days before export (not needed from Australia, New Zealand and the UK) and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Into China from
Every country, by groupWhere this comes from
Official sources
- 海关总署公告2019年第5号 (关于进一步规范携带宠物入境检疫监管工作的公告), copy on gov.cn
- How to bring a pet to Shanghai (Shanghai Municipal People's Government; sources: Shanghai Customs, Pudong Airport Customs, Huangpu Customs; updated 16 October 2025)
- Does transit affect the validity of a pet's veterinary health certificate? (Shanghai government Q&A, source: Shanghai Customs, 13 July 2026)
- How to bring pets to China (Shanghai Municipal People's Government, source: Shanghai Customs)
- Pet travel from the United States to China (USDA APHIS, last modified 11 February 2026)
- Export of cats and dogs from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China: notes for guidance 8902NFG (APHA, agreed 18 December 2025)
- Export of pets to the People's Republic of China from the United Kingdom: health certificate 8902EHC (APHA, agreed 18 December 2025)
- Exporting pets and products (Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services)
- Taking pet dogs and cats overseas: info sheet 'Dogs and cats general 2023' (Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Veterinary International Trade Facilitation)
- Non-commercial export of dogs and cats to the European Union: info sheet (Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Veterinary International Trade Facilitation, 2024)
- South African policy on export certification for animals and animal products (Department of Agriculture, Government Notice 1325, Government Gazette 31680, 12 December 2008; gov.za copy)
- Export certification: information pack (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, file of 2 March 2016, listed in the department's information packs of 18 August 2021; read from Common Crawl CC-MAIN-2026-39, captured 11 September 2026)
- Veterinary import permit office: application reference numbers and proof of payment (Department of Agriculture, 5 September 2025; read from Common Crawl CC-MAIN-2026-39, captured 15 September 2026)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-13.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from South Africa to China?
Yes: A pet from a country that is not on China's designated list needs a rabies antibody test report from a laboratory recognised by China's customs, with a titre above 0.5 IU/ml, to avoid 30 days' quarantine.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into China?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in China?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for South Africa to China?
With nothing done yet, start at least 2 days ahead for a dog. The main steps: electronic microchip (ISO 11784/11785), rabies vaccination (inactivated or recombinant vaccine) and second rabies vaccination (before the blood sample) and 5 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
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