How many companion animals can I bring into China?
- Official classification
- Pets (companion animals)
Prohibited
You cannot bring companion animals into China.
What you need to know
- 1 piece
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
- No stated quantity
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2019年第5号 中华人民共和国海关总署
- 海关总署令第43号（中华人民共和国禁止、限制进出境物品表） General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China
Questions about Pets (companion animals) in China
- How many companion animals can I bring into China?
- China allows 1 pets (companion animals) 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 companion animals at China customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 1 pets (companion animals) 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 companion animals 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 companion animals?
- 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 companion animals 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 companion animals out of China?
- China publishes no separate rule for taking companion animals out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the China limit for companion animals 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 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2019年第5号. 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。”
- How does China compare with other countries on companion animals?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit companion animals, 20 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) — 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2019年第5号 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2019年第5号 · 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) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2019年第5号 · verified 2026-09-19
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (海关总署, GACC) — 中华人民共和国海关总署公告2019年第5号 · verified 2026-09-19