Step-by-step timeline
D-90
Destination Microchip + rabies vaccination
Dogs: mandatory ISO 11784/11785 (chip before vaccine). Cats: no federal microchip requirement.
D-14
Departure Apply export health certificate (China)
Animal Health Certificate — Valid: Generally 14 days; 10 days for EU-bound shipments
D-7
Departure Pre-departure clinical examination
On-site quarantine 7-10 days before departure (Shanghai Customs recommendation)
DEPARTURE DAY
Departure Departure day
Bring all original documents + copies. Confirm crate meets airline requirements.
Departure — China
Authority
GACC / local customs
Certificate
Animal Health Certificate
Validity
Generally 14 days; 10 days for EU-bound shipments
Filing
Declare within 7 days of departure via Single Window or Internet+ Customs
Clinical exam
On-site quarantine 7-10 days before departure (Shanghai Customs recommendation)
Processing
3 working days review + 3 working days after on-site exam
Transit
Direct flight — no transit stop.
Destination — United States
Microchip
Dogs: mandatory ISO 11784/11785 (chip before vaccine). Cats: no federal microchip requirement.
Rabies vaccine
Dogs ≥6 months old; high-risk countries require valid rabies vaccination certificate
Titer test
High-risk countries (incl. mainland China): CDC-approved lab titer, blood drawn 30 days after vaccination, completed 28 days before entry, ≥0.5 IU/ml
Quarantine
No valid titer → 28-day CDC-approved ACF quarantine. Entry only through Atlanta / Los Angeles / Miami / New York / Philadelphia / Washington DC.
Certificate
CDC Dog Import Form per dog. USDA export health certificates issued after 2025-07-31 are NOT accepted by CDC as dog entry documents.
Cost
$100-300 (low-risk) / $1,000-2,500 (high-risk)
Airline constraints
China Eastern Airlines (airline layer)
Has suspended dog acceptance on US-bound flights due to CDC policy (verify before booking)
China → 
United States
