--- title: Pet Transport for Hong Kong | Starwood Pet Travel description: Let the experts ship your pet to or from Hong Kong and ensure a peaceful and safe arrival. Make pet transportation easy with our services. --- ## Your pet’s safe trip to or from Hong Kong starts here [ Get a quote ](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/quote-request) [ Moving to Hong Kong ](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/hong-kong#moving-to) [ Moving from Hong Kong ](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/hong-kong#moving-from) ![Hong Kong outline](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Hong%20Kong.png) ### W e ' r e   D i f f e r e n t ## Pets, not packages - expect more We’re proud to be the highest rated and most trusted international pet shipping company in the United States. ![plane](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/hubfs/New%20website%202026/plane.svg) #### Decades of experience Trust our expert team of coordinators, with the most collective industry experience (and all the 5-star reviews to prove it!). [ Learn more → ](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/) #### Technology Industry-leading [Pet Travel Portal](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/pet-travel-portal/) to make things simple & clear. [ Learn more → ](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/) #### Pet Protection Plan Coverage for every dog or cat ensuring your peace of mind throughout their journey. [ Learn more → ](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/) #### Stay in touch The only US-based company to partner with CareTags Travel Sense to provide automated updates throughout your pet’s move via email & text. [ Learn more → ](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/) ### S t a r w o o d   F a c t o r ## What sets us apart Read stories traveling to and from 🇭🇰 Hong Kong #### Testimonials 337 days ago We had an amazing experience working with Starwood to relocate our cat from Mexico City to Hong Kong. Ryan was incredibly responsive, organized, and supportive throughout the entire process, from hand... Anton Taruc ✈️ Mexico City → Hong Kong 🐱 Zelie's Trip to Hong Kong Read more → ![Zelie's Trip to Hong Kong's pet](https://505287.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/505287/hubfs/zelie.webp?width=400&height=400&name=zelie.webp) #### Review from Anton Taruc × ![Review Image](https://505287.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/505287/zelie.webp) 337 days ago We had an amazing experience working with Starwood to relocate our cat from Mexico City to Hong Kong. Ryan was incredibly responsive, organized, and supportive throughout the entire process, from handling complex paperwork to coordinating travel details. Thanks to their professionalism and care, our cat arrived safe, calm, and healthy after a long journey. We’re so grateful for the peace of mind Starwood provided during such a big transition. Highly recommend them to anyone moving internationally with a pet! - Anton Taruc **Source: [Google](https://maps.app.goo.gl/gtbRpNRJweCa27MP6) ** [View more reviews →](https://www.starwoodpet.com/pet-shipping-testimonials) Close #### Stories #### Zelie's Grand Adventure to Hong Kong ✈️ DFW-FRA-HKG Zelie, a curious and stylish feline from Dallas, Texas, recently completed the biggest journey of her life—a globe-spanning adventure all the way to Hong Kong. With a stopover in Frankfurt and the hel... [Read full story →](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/our-stories/zelie_hong_kong) ![Zelie's pet](https://505287.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/505287/hubfs/cat_hong_kong%20(1).jpg?upscale=false&width=400&height=400&name=cat_hong_kong%20(1).jpg) ## Moving to Hong Kong 2026 Pet Travel Guide to Hong Kong ### 2026 Pet Travel Guide to Hong Kong Moving to Hong Kong with your pet? Hong Kong is one of Asia’s most pet-conscious cities, but importing animals is tightly regulated. With a permit-based system and specific vaccination, microchip, and health certificate requirements, planning well in advance is key to a successful move. Below is a general overview of what’s required when transporting pets to Hong Kong from the United States. Group Classification ### Group Classification for Hong Kong Hong Kong uses a **three-group classification system** for pet import. The **United States is considered a Group II country**, meaning: - There’s no mandatory quarantine if all health and documentation requirements are met. - Pets must arrive with an approved **import permit**, valid health records, and a properly completed health certificate. Microchip Requirements for Hong Kong ### Microchip Requirements for Hong Kong Pets must be microchipped with a **15-digit ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip**. The microchip must be implanted prior to rabies vaccination, and the number must appear on all vaccination and health documents. Vaccinations ### Vaccinations ##### Dogs: - **Rabies vaccination** – Given at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before travel (unless a 3-year vaccine is accepted and documented). - **DHPP/DHLPP** – Core vaccines (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Leptospirosis) must be current and administered within the last 12 months. - Other recommended vaccines: Bordetella (Kennel Cough), Leptospirosis, CIV (Canine Influenza Virus) ##### Cats: - **Rabies vaccination** – Same timing as dogs. - **FVRCP** – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia, administered within the past year. - Feline Leukemia - This is recommended but not mandatory 👉 All vaccine records must include the microchip number, vaccine brand, batch number, and veterinarian details. Import Permit ### Import Permit An import permit is required for cats and dogs entering Hong Kong.  The permit must be applied prior to departure and can take 5+ working days to be processed & issued.  The permit is valid for 6 months upon issue and a copy of the import permit must travel with your pet into Hong Kong. *If you are working with Starwood to transport your pet, we will take care of this on your behalf. Health Certificate ### Health Certificate A clinical exam and Hong Kong Health Certificate must be completed and signed by a **USDA Accredited Veterinarian** within 10-14 days prior to travel and must be endorsed by the USDA.  You cannot use the standard USDA APHIS 7001 Form. You must use the [Hong Kong-specific health certificate](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-hong-kong) available on the USDA-APHIS website.  The **ORIGINAL** endorsed health certificate MUST travel with your pet into Hong Kong. If you hire Starwood to assist with your pet's relocation, we can take care of the final exam, paperwork, and USDA endorsement on your behalf. Age Restrictions ### Age Restrictions Dogs and cats must be **at least 5 months old** to enter Hong Kong. Pets more than 4 weeks pregnant may NOT enter Hong Kong.   Banned Breeds ### Banned Breeds  Fighting dogs listed in Schedule 1 of the **Dangerous Dogs Regulation** can NOT be imported to Hong Kong. These breeds include: - Pit Bull Terrier (also known as the American Staffordshire Terrier) - Japanese Tosa - Dogo Argentino - Fila Braziliero - Any dog of the crossbreeds above If you have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, your dog will require a statutory declaration attesting to the breed of the dog. **Bengal cats and their crossbreeds** are NOT to be imported to Hong Kong unless they have documentation certifying they are of 5th or above 5th generations of domestic ancestry. **Savannah cats** have their own special permit terms. Arrival in Hong Kong ### Arrival in Hong Kong  Cats and dogs must travel to Hong Kong via **manifest cargo**. They can **NOT** arrive as excess baggage or in-cabin. For more detailed information on life in Hong Kong with your pet, please refer to our comprehensive Hong Kong Country guide. Japan Country Guide ## Moving from Hong Kong Pet shipping from Hong Kong ### Pet shipping from Hong Kong Relocating internationally with your dog or cat from Hong Kong requires careful planning, veterinary preparation, and coordination with airline and government authorities. Starwood Pet Travel assists families moving pets from Hong Kong to the United States, ensuring every requirement is met before departure. Our experienced team coordinates the logistics, paperwork, and travel planning needed to ensure your pet travels safely and comfortably.   How Starwood can help ### How Starwood can help International pet relocation from Hong Kong involves strict documentation timelines and airline coordination. Our team simplifies the process by handling every aspect of your pet’s journey. Our services from Hong Kong include: - Door-to-door international pet relocation - Travel consultation and flight booking - Airline-approved travel kennels with identification labeling - Veterinary documentation guidance and preparation - MAFF export coordination - Customs clearance assistance - Airport handling and delivery coordination - Real-time updates throughout your pet’s journey Whether your pet is relocating to the United States, Europe, Australia, or another destination, Starwood Pet Travel ensures the process is smooth, compliant, and safe from departure to arrival. ### P r i c i n g ## Starting cost for moving your pet to Hong Kong ## Pet Transport Cost Estimator | Number of pets | Starting cost* | | --- | --- | | 1 | $4,395 | | 2 | $6,195 | | 3 | $10,495 | | 4 | $14,795 | | 5 | $19,095 | | 6+ | Contact Us | * This does not serve as our official quotation. For an exact quote and detailed proposal, please request a free quote. [Pet relocation packages and pricing - more info → ](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/cost-and-pricing) #### Talk to our experts Need help or have questions? Our team is ready to help! ![peoplenow](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/peoplenow.png?width=120&height=40&name=peoplenow.png) Get in touch → ### F a q ## Questions, answered ### Is pet travel safe? + Yes, pet travel is safe with the proper preparation and precautions. Thousands of pets fly every year without issue. You can read more about pet travel safety [here.](https://starwoodpet.com/blog/will-my-pet-be-safe-on-an-airplane/) ### Should I sedate my pet? + NO. It is not recommended to sedate or tranquilize any pet that is flying on an airplane. This can negatively affect their breathing and respiration when they are up in the air at high altitudes. This can be even more dangerous for pets with pre-existing conditions or snub-nosed (brachycephalic) pets. Starwood will NOT transport any pet that has been sedated or tranquilized. Additionally, if the airline believes that your pet has been sedated, then they can refuse your pet for travel. You can learn more about sedation and air travel in our [blog post.](https://starwoodpet.com/blog/dont-tranquilize-your-pet-during-air-travel-theres-better-options) ### Where do pets travel on the plane? + Starwood only transports pets who are traveling as manifest cargo. This means that they travel on commercial flights underneath the passenger cabin in a space that is temperature controlled, pressurized, and oxygenated. Live animals travel beneath the pilot and the pilot must sign off on a manifest so they are aware of any pets onboard. Your pet’s travel kennel will be held into place by a thin netting that acts like a seatbelt to keep them safe and secure during takeoff and landing. [Learn more about where pets travel on a plane](https://www.starwoodpet.com/blog/where-do-pets-fly-on-a-plane). ### Will my pet eat or drink? + You should definitely ensure your pet is provided plenty of water prior to and on the day of their big adventure. Our team will also make sure that their water bowls are topped off once we check them in for the flight. Once pets are in the care of the airline after check-in, the airline staff will be sure to top off water as well. However, it is NOT recommended for pets to eat right before takeoff or during the flight. This can cause an upset stomach, which we of course want to avoid. Our team will not provide food for the flight and we do not recommend feeding them less than 4 hours prior to flight departure. If your pet has a layover, they will be provided more water and some food (depending on the length of the layover). Water will also be provided once they have landed as they are clearing through customs. If your pet will be boarding or spending time in quarantine throughout their trip, they will be provided food and water regularly. [You can read more about whether you should feed pets who are flying in our blog.](https://starwoodpet.com/blog/should-i-feed-my-dog-before-flying-what-else-should-i-know) ### How will my pet go to the bathroom? + If you have a dog that is traveling, our team will provide them with a nice walk and potty break prior to check-in at the airport. Once your pet is checked in, they must remain inside their travel kennel until they arrive at the destination. We do not let cats out of the travel kennel after we pick them up since you know they can be sneaky escape artists. Upon arrival to the destination, dogs will be provided with a walk and potty break before they head home to you. Again, cats will need to remain inside their travel kennels unless there is a safe and secure room to let them out. Litter boxes are not permitted to be inside the travel kennel so please be aware that sometimes your pet may go to the bathroom inside the kennel. As they say, if you gotta go, you gotta go. If your pet has soiled their travel kennel and there is a safe place to let them out of the kennel then we do try our best to clean the kennel when possible prior to delivery. [Learn more here](https://www.starwoodpet.com/blog/how-do-pets-go-to-the-bathroom-on-a-plane). [ Visit our Knowledge base → ](https://www.starwoodpet.com/) We partner with the best in the industry: ![qantas](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/hubfs/New%20website%202026/qantas.svg) ![qatar](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/hubfs/New%20website%202026/qatar.svg) ![american-airlines](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/hubfs/New%20website%202026/american-airlines.svg) ![lufthansa](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/hubfs/New%20website%202026/lufthansa.svg) ![air new zeland](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/hubfs/New%20website%202026/air%20new%20zeland.svg) ![british airways](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/hubfs/New%20website%202026/british%20airways.svg) ![klm](https://50936337.hs-sites.com/hubfs/New%20website%202026/klm.svg) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.starwoodpet.com/locations/hong-kong#service", "@type" : "Service", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Hong Kong" }, "name" : "Pet Travel Services to Hong Kong", "provider" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Starwood Pet Travel", "url" : "https://www.starwoodpet.com/" }, "serviceType" : "International pet transport and pet relocation to Hong Kong", "url" : "https://www.starwoodpet.com/locations/hong-kong" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.starwoodpet.com/locations/hong-kong#breadcrumbs", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.starwoodpet.com/", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.starwoodpet.com/locations/", "name" : "Locations", "position" : 2 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.starwoodpet.com/locations/hong-kong", "name" : "Hong Kong", "position" : 3 } ] } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "FAQPage", "mainEntity" : [ { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "" }, "name" : "Is pet travel safe?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "" }, "name" : "Should I sedate my pet?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "" }, "name" : "Where do pets travel on the plane?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "" }, "name" : "Will my pet eat or drink?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "" }, "name" : "How will my pet go to the bathroom?" } ] } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "", "name" : "Destinations", "position" : 2 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "", "name" : "Ireland", "position" : 3 } ] } ```