Pawscleared

Bringing your dog from Ireland to Hong Kong

Bringing a dog to Hong Kong from a Group II country is relatively simple: an AFCD Special Permit obtained in advance, an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination and a veterinary health certificate. No quarantine, no rabies titre.

⏳ Allow 1–2 months
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You must obtain the AFCD Special Permit BEFORE travelling — a dog cannot be imported without it, and it must be issued before the dog is loaded onto the plane. From Group II countries (most of the EU, USA, Canada, Switzerland) there is no rabies titre test and dogs are exempt from quarantine when fully compliant.

Calculate your deadlines

Enter your travel date: we work back in time to give you the deadline for each step, personalised for Ireland → Hong Kong.

The 6 steps, in order

  1. 1. Implant an ISO-compliant microchip

    Have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted. It identifies your dog on the Special Permit and on the health certificate, and is checked on arrival.

  2. 2. Rabies vaccination

    Vaccinate the dog against rabies after the microchip is implanted, and keep it valid through to entry.

  3. 3. AFCD Special Permit

    Apply for the Special Permit from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) before travel. The permit is mandatory and must be in hand before the dog is loaded onto the flight.

  4. 4. Veterinary health certificate

    Have the AFCD veterinary health certificate (Form VC-DC2) completed and signed by a veterinarian shortly before travel, confirming the microchip, rabies and other vaccinations, residency and good health.

  5. 5. Book the air transport (early, direct flight)

    Book your dog's flight as early as possible. Dogs usually travel as manifested cargo and slots are limited — this date is a comfortable recommendation to book early, not a hard deadline.

  6. 6. Travel to Hong Kong

    The dog travels to Hong Kong with the Special Permit and the VC-DC2 health certificate. Compliant Group II dogs are not quarantined.

From another country?

Official sources:

Pawscleared provides preparation guidance based on official sources. The binding conditions are those published by the AFCD. Group III (higher-risk) countries face stricter rules (titre, quarantine). Always confirm with official sources.