🐾 Timeline Guide: Taking Pets from the UK to China

Traveling internationally with pets requires careful planning, especially when entering China. One of the most critical rules is:

👉 Pets must receive a Rabies vaccination at least 30 days before entering China.

Here’s a step-by-step timeline to make sure your furry friend travels smoothly from the UK to China.

🗓️ 90–120 Days Before Departure (Planning Stage)

• Research flights: Choose airlines that allow pets in-cabin or as checked baggage. Direct flights are strongly recommended to reduce stress.

• Check Chinese entry requirements: Different entry ports (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) may have slightly different rules on inspection and quarantine.

• Microchip check: Ensure your pet has an ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit). This is required for identification.

• Start health record preparation: Collect previous vaccination and health certificates.

🗓️ 30–60 Days Before Departure (Vaccination Stage)

⚠️ This is the key step!

• Rabies vaccination

  • Must be given at least 30 days before arrival in China.

  • Must still be within the 12-month validity period upon entry.

  • Keep the official vaccination certificate (with date, batch number, and vet’s stamp).

• Other vaccinations (recommended, not always required):

  • Dogs: Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis

  • Cats: Feline Panleukopenia, Calicivirus, Rhinotracheitis

• Health check: General wellness exam to ensure your pet is fit for travel.

🗓️ 7–10 Days Before Departure (Final Preparation)

• Export Health Certificate (EHC)

  • Issued by an official UK vet (OV – Official Veterinarian).

  • Must include: owner info, pet microchip, rabies vaccination details, overall health status.

• Deworming & parasite treatment (required by some ports in China).

• Document review

  • Rabies/Booster vaccination certificate

  • Microchip proof

  • EHC (signed & stamped)

• Airline confirmation: Double-check pet reservation with your airline.

🗓️ Day of Departure

• Arrive early: At least 3–4 hours before the flight for check-in and pet clearance.

• IATA-approved carrier

  • Sturdy, ventilated, secure door.

  • Lined with absorbent pads.

  • Familiar toy/blanket to reduce stress.

• Feeding: Light meal 4–6 hours before flight; avoid full stomach to reduce nausea.

• Hydration: Attach a non-spill water bottle or gel hydration pack.

🗓️ Upon Arrival in China

• Customs & Quarantine

  • Show all documents: microchip scan, rabies vaccination, health certificate.

  • Some pets are released immediately if documents are complete.

  • Some ports may require short-term quarantine (7–30 days) depending on local regulations.

• Owner responsibility

  • Pay any inspection fees.

  • Collect your pet from quarantine centre if required.

✅ Quick Checklist

•  ISO-compliant microchip (15-digit)

•  Rabies vaccination ≥30 days before entry, ≤1 year validity

•  Vaccination record with vet stamp & batch number

•  Official Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

•  Deworming & parasite treatment (recommended)

•  IATA-standard carrier

💜 ViolaPets Travel Advice

We know that international travel with pets can be stressful. To make the journey easier, we provide:

• ✍️ Rabies vaccination reminders & vet booking

• 🧾 Official AHC & document preparation

• 🚕 Pet taxi for UK airports

• 🏨 Partner pet hotels in China for smooth arrival

🌍 Travel is better together — and with the right planning, your pet can join you on your journey home.

🐾 时间线攻略：从英国带宠物回中国

带宠物跨国旅行，需要非常细致的准备。特别是入境中国时，最重要的一条规定是：

👉 宠物必须在入境中国前至少 30 天完成狂犬疫苗接种。

下面是一份 详细时间线指南，帮你一步一步准备，让毛孩子顺利从英国回到中国。

🗓️ 出发前 90–120 天（规划阶段）

• 查询航班：选择允许宠物进客舱或货舱的航司。优先直飞，减少转机压力。

• 了解入境政策：中国不同口岸（如北京、上海、广州）检疫要求可能略有差别。

• 检查芯片：确保宠物已植入符合国际标准的芯片（ISO 11784/11785，15位数字）。这是入境必查。

• 整理健康记录：收集过往的疫苗与健康证明，方便日后申请证书。

🗓️ 出发前 30–60 天（疫苗阶段）

⚠️ 关键时间点！

• 狂犬疫苗

  • 必须在入境中国前 ≥30 天接种。

  • 有效期必须在 1 年以内。

  • 保存好正式疫苗本/证明（需有日期、批号、兽医签章）。

• 疫苗（非强制但推荐）：

  • 狗狗：犬瘟热、细小、犬传染性肝炎

  • 猫咪：猫三联（猫泛白细胞减少症、杯状病毒、疱疹病毒）

• 健康检查：确保宠物适合长途飞行。

🗓️ 出发前 7–10 天（最后准备）

• 动物健康证书 EHC

  • 必须由英国官方注册兽医（OV）签发。

  • 内容包括：主人信息、宠物芯片号、狂犬疫苗接种情况、整体健康状况。

• 驱虫 & 体外寄生虫处理（部分中国口岸要求）。

• 文件核对：

  • 狂犬疫苗/Booster证明

  • 芯片证明

  • 健康证书 EHC

• 航司确认：再次确认宠物机位预定。

🗓️ 出发当天

• 提前到达机场：建议出发前 3–4 小时到场，办理值机与宠物手续。

• 航空箱要求（IATA标准）

  • 结实、防逃脱、通风良好

  • 内部铺吸水垫

  • 放置熟悉的玩具/毯子，帮助减轻焦虑

• 饮食安排：

  • 起飞前 4–6 小时少量进食，避免晕机

  • 保障饮水，可用防洒水壶或啫喱水包

🗓️ 抵达中国后

• 海关检疫

  • 扫描芯片 + 查验狂犬疫苗证明 + 健康证书

  • 资料齐全：多数口岸允许直接放行

  • 部分口岸：可能要求 隔离 7–30 天

• 主人责任

  • 支付检疫或隔离费用

  • 如果隔离，按时到隔离站接回宠物

✅ 出行清单

•  芯片（ISO 11784/11785，15位数字）

•  狂犬疫苗 ≥30天且 ≤1年有效

•  疫苗接种本/官方证明（带兽医签章）

•  英国官方动物健康证书（AHC）

•  驱虫 & 体外寄生虫处理（建议）

•  符合 IATA 标准的航空箱

💜 ViolaPets Travel 建议

跨国宠物旅行手续繁琐，我们可以帮您：

• ✍️ 狂犬疫苗接种提醒 & 英国兽医预约

• 🧾 健康证书 AHC 办理与文件翻译

• 🚕 宠物专车接送机

• 🏨 入境后的中国宠物酒店/寄养推荐

🌍 提前规划，安心出行。让毛孩子和你一起顺利回家 🐶🐱✨