Dogs in Mainland China: rules, tax and travel

Under the national Animal Epidemic Prevention Law (in force 1 May 2021) dog owners must have their dogs vaccinated against rabies regularly and register them with the local dog registration authority, using the vaccination certificate from a vet clinic. In Shanghai every dog aged 3 months or more must be registered with the district agency, and unregistered dogs can bring a fine of CNY 200 to 1,000 for individuals.[1]

No national microchip rule was confirmed. In Shanghai dogs must be vaccinated against rabies and fitted with a microchip once they are 3 months old.[2]

No dog tax was found; cities charge registration fees instead. In Beijing's central districts registration costs CNY 1,000 in the first year and CNY 500 each later year, half the first-year fee for neutered dogs, while outer districts set their own fees.[3]

typical 500 CNY, 500 to 1000 CNY a year

Cities issue a dog registration certificate rather than a separate licence. In Beijing it must be renewed every year at the local public security office with the vaccination certificate and fee; Shanghai requires a yearly inspection. No owner competence test was found.[3]

Nationally, a dog taken outside must wear its dog tag and be kept on a leash or similarly controlled. In Shanghai the leash may be at most 2 metres and large dogs must wear a muzzle (fine CNY 20 to 200); in central Beijing large and fierce dogs may not be walked outside at all.[2]

Beijing's six central districts (Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai, Shijingshan) allow one dog per household and ban dogs over 35 cm adult height and fierce breeds; illegal keeping can mean confiscation and a fine of up to CNY 5,000 for individuals. Dogs are barred from markets, shops, parks, schools, hospitals and most public transport.[3]

Shanghai allows one dog per household in urban areas and bans individuals from keeping listed fierce breeds. Abandoning a dog brings a fine of CNY 500 to 2,000, loss of registration and a 5-year ban on registering a new dog.[2]

Each traveller may bring one dog or cat per entry, with a microchip, an official health certificate from the exporting country and a rabies vaccination certificate. Among EU countries only Cyprus, Ireland, Portugal and Sweden are on China's designated list and skip quarantine; pets from other EU countries need a valid rabies titre report or 30 days of quarantine.[4]

Same rules: one pet per person, microchip, health and rabies certificates. Designated places that skip quarantine are New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Guam, Jamaica, Iceland, the UK, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macao.[5]

Pets from non-designated countries avoid quarantine only with a rabies antibody report of at least 0.5 IU/ml from a GACC-approved laboratory, plus a valid chip and a passed inspection on arrival.[4]

Pets that do not qualify for an exemption are quarantined for 30 days at a customs-designated facility and must enter through a port with quarantine facilities, such as Beijing Capital or Shanghai Pudong. Exceeding the one-pet limit or missing certificates can lead to the pet being sent back or destroyed.[4]