Quarantine dropped for many pets entering the country

Many pets entering China will now be subject to streamlined customs clearance procedures.

As of Wednesday this week, dogs or cats from designated countries or regions that carry valid electronic chips and pass on-site inspection will no longer be subject to extended quarantine, under the latest regulations issued by the General Administration of Customs.

Designated countries or regions include New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii and Guam of the United States, Jamaica, Iceland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan and Singapore, as well as from Hong Kong or Macao.

Valid reports showing rabies antibody test results by authorized laboratories are needed for pet dogs or cats entering China from countries or regions that are not on the approved list.

As of April 19, the administration had authorized 62 laboratories in 37 countries to conduct the antibody tests.

For seeing-eye dogs, listening-ear dogs and sniffer dogs bearing valid electronic chips, quarantine can be waived if they can pass on-site checks and their carriers can produce user certificates and professional training certificates.

In other circumstances, pets entering China are subject to a 30-day quarantine in designated areas.

Xinhua