Bring Pet from China

[Guest ExChinaExpat]

My fiance has a cat she would like to bring to the USA. It's a persian cat and moderately neurotic in that he is very nervous in new places or with new people. Do airlines allow bringing a cat from China and keeping in the cabin with her? Also, what is needed to prepare the cat for tavel, shots, health check and so on?

[Randy W]

My fiance has a cat she would like to bring to the USA. It's a persian cat and moderately neurotic in that he is very nervous in new places or with new people. Do airlines allow bringing a cat from China and keeping in the cabin with her? Also, what is needed to prepare the cat for tavel, shots, health check and so on?

 

Better plan for a customs quarantine, as well. 30 days? Can't say that I know anything there.

[dnoblett]

There are a handful of topics on this, check out topics tagged "Pets"

 

http://candleforlove.com/forums/tags/forums/Pets/

[Randy W]

 

My fiance has a cat she would like to bring to the USA. It's a persian cat and moderately neurotic in that he is very nervous in new places or with new people. Do airlines allow bringing a cat from China and keeping in the cabin with her? Also, what is needed to prepare the cat for tavel, shots, health check and so on?

 

Better plan for a customs quarantine, as well. 30 days? Can't say that I know anything there.

 

 

I take that back - be sure to Google "Pet Import USA" or something similar for the latest CDC and Customs requirements.

[dnoblett]

Doing some searching of CBP.GOV site gets this: http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/travel/pets_wild.ctt/pets.pdf

 

And this from Department of Agriculture:

 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/index.shtml

 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports.shtml

[RobertH]

No problems bringing cats. My wife brought hers 4 years ago. Just need a translated health cert from a Chinese vet, was no quarantine time at all, they don't quarantine cats if it was a dog yes 30 days i think. Had to pay the Airlines to ship the cat I think that was about $300.00USD if I recall.

 

Not to hard to do wife was released from customs in 20 minutes cat and all.

 

[Mick]

No problems bringing cats. My wife brought hers 4 years ago. Just need a translated health cert from a Chinese vet, was no quarantine time at all, they don't quarantine cats if it was a dog yes 30 days i think. Had to pay the Airlines to ship the cat I think that was about $300.00USD if I recall.

 

Not to hard to do wife was released from customs in 20 minutes cat and all.

 

 

Was the cat allowed to fly with her in the cabin, Robert? If so, what was the airline? The OP might want to have this info.

[dan1984]

Don't have any experience myself, but my friend used this service and all went well:

http://www.petrelocation.com/

[Guest ExChinaExpat]

 

No problems bringing cats. My wife brought hers 4 years ago. Just need a translated health cert from a Chinese vet, was no quarantine time at all, they don't quarantine cats if it was a dog yes 30 days i think. Had to pay the Airlines to ship the cat I think that was about $300.00USD if I recall.

 

Not to hard to do wife was released from customs in 20 minutes cat and all.

 

 

Was the cat allowed to fly with her in the cabin, Robert? If so, what was the airline? The OP might want to have this info.

 

 

 

Don't have any experience myself, but my friend used this service and all went well:

http://www.petrelocation.com/

 

 

Doing some searching of CBP.GOV site gets this: http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/travel/pets_wild.ctt/pets.pdf

 

And this from Department of Agriculture:

 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/index.shtml

 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports.shtml

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. This gives me a lot better background from where to start and what to consider. I never recall seeing anything other than a handicapped support dog on an international flight, so it's likely they want to keep pets isolated from passengers to prevent problems.

 

 

Dan1984, I looked at the site you provided and they had several countries they service. China did not appear on their list.

[dan1984]

Hmmm, strange, I don't know if they've discontinued their China service or what.

 

In 2010 my friend used this service to bring his 2 cats from Chicago to Beijing and then back to Chicago from Beijing a year later.

[Andelu]

We are in the process of arranging the moving our dog, he leaves in two weeks via Hong Kong, so can share our experience so far as it relates to canines.

 

He is a Pug and as he is a Brachycephalic breed (snub nose) there are numerous restrictions on their transport as they have trouble breathing due to their short noses, and their respiratory conditions worsen when flying and in warmer temperatures so no airlines will transport them when the temperature is above 75F which can be possible end of March/early April when we are actually moving. So, I have done lots of research on transport options and I didn't find any airline that allows other than service animals in the cabin, at least from Hong Kong and for dogs. Not sure about flying from Shanghai or Beijing or cats.

 

In addition to having a rabies vaccination within the last year and at least 30 days prior to arrival in the States, he has to have an examination by government vet which includes a health certificate and export record. There is no quartine to the States (other than Hawaii).

 

I obtained agent quotes from the International Pet and Animal Transport Association and chose Export-A-Pet they were not the cheapest but their communication and service was by far the best and they were only a little more than the cheapest and half the most expensive.

 

You can get estimates on just the airfare on United's website, figure at least 3x that cargo cost for total door to door service. Delta wasn't an option for us as they have no direct flight to the States from HKG.

 

General information on these two airlines for pet travel. United's PetSafe Program and Delta's Pet Travel Options.

 

Below are the steps included in the quote and services provided by our local agent. We are paying the US agent separately to pickup in Chicago and deliver same day to my family in Michigan.

Pick up from residence to Clinic apply health certificate for obtain international health certificate

To Govt. vet for export health inspection

International health certificate

Government endorsement of the export documents

Mainland China export permit

Hong Kong transit permit

Pick up from residence and escort to Hong Kong airport one day before departure

Go through Mainland China/Hong Kong border, custom clearance

Transfer dog to HKG govt. pet hostel for overnight stay to catch next day flight

Govt. pet hostel fee

Pick up dog from Govt. pet hostel and transfer to HKG cargo terminal /Cargo departure handling

Airline booking,airfreight and other airline charge from HKG to ORD

Travel crate L70 x W51 x H54cm with water

Surcharge RMB for pick up dog from Shenzhen and escort to HKG on Sunday

 

Hope that helps.

Andy

Edited December 30, 2013 by Andelu (see edit history)