How much Cats and dogs can I bring into China?
Restricted
You can bring Cats and dogs into China only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- 1 piece
- Channels: Carried with the traveler, Post or courier
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
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），第一条 中华人民共和国海关总署（中国政府网 国务院部门文件）
Questions about Cats and dogs in China
- How many cats and dogs can I bring into China?
- China allows 1 cats and dogs per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare cats and dogs at China customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 1 cats and dogs there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
- What happens if I do not declare cats and dogs in China?
- Under 《进境物品关税、增值税、消费税征收办法》第十一条（税委会公告2024年第11号公布，自2024年12月1日施行）, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. If the goods are found without being declared, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 《中华人民共和国海关行政处罚实施条例》第十九条第二项、第四项（国务院令第420号）: an administrative fine is imposed.
- Do duty-free purchases count toward the China allowance for cats and dogs?
- No. China grants an arrival duty-free quota separately from what you carry in, which is why two different numbers circulate for this allowance.
- Can I post or ship cats and dogs to China instead of carrying it?
- Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
- Can I take cats and dogs out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking cats and dogs out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the China limit for cats and dogs apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Where does this rule come from?
- General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) states it in 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），第一条. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “携带入境的活动物仅限犬或者猫（以下称“宠物”），并且每人每次限带1只。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。宠物应当具有电子芯片。”
- How does China compare with other countries on cats and dogs?
- Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cats and dogs, 21 limit it and 0 let it through. China is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 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），第一条 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 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），第一条 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 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），第一条 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 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），第一条 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 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），第一条 · verified 2026-09-19