General Rules

Taking your pet abroad, it sounds like an enormous task. Many posts have been made about rules and procedure. Almost all mention you should start 4 to 5 months before you leave. So most people calculate their leaving date minus those months. And then you get full blown stress once the due dates are up…BUT that 4 to 5 months legal waiting period is actually a MINIMUM. You can easily start the process NOW, regardless off when your departure date is.

Benefits of starting export procedure now!

– Less stress

– If your pooch fails bloodtest, you have time enough to try again

– Your dog or cat will be able to leave within ONE WEEKs notice

– Expenses are divided over longer period

The trick is very easy, the Export procedure has 10 steps in total. You only need to do the first 4 steps as soon as possible and your pooch can leave anytime…

What is it?

Its a small chip that has a unique 15 number code. This code is stored in a database, connected with your information. Its implanted in the neck of your dog with a special syringe. No sedatives are given (just a pinch in the neck) so most dogs are not happy about it.

Where?

In theory, any vet that gives ISO certified microchips. But to avoid any problems, we strongly recommend to go to Shenpu clinics.

Shenpu Xuhui 565 Xujiahui Lu, near Liyuan Lu (Tel. 5301 8000) 徐家汇路565号，近丽园路
Shenpu Zhabei 4445 Gonghexin Lu 共和新路4445号 (Tel. 6698 7009)
Shenpu Changning 185 Tianshan Lu 天山路185号 (Tel. 6291 3730)
Shenpu Putuo 1545 Daduhe Lu 大渡河路1545号 (Tel. 5265 5636)

Note: Shenpu clinics are open 8.30 am – 9 pm every day. (Xuhui even 24/7). But for registration best go between 9 am and 5 pm. You do NOT need an appointment, simply walk in.

When?

As soon as possible! Although Shanghai Dog License is NOT connected to the export procedure, they require the same microchip. So no need to wait. Puppies however need to be at least 12 weeks old, as they are still growing, the chip can move.

If you wait until last minute, this has to be done minimum 4 to 5 months before your pets departure date. But really do not recommend that as many things can go wrong.

Take?

Your dog and your passport.

Price?

Average 300 RMB.

Tips

1. Go to an official Shenpu clinic, they can do Rabies vaccination at same time. So you can combine step 1 and step 2.

2. China uses old versions of microchips. Most European Customs use new chip readers that can not detect these chips. To avoid problems at customs, you can

– Take video with your phone when the chip is implanted, you can show the Customs officer if they can not find it.

– Buy your own chip reader on taoboa, average price is around 500 RMB (type in CKU in search and you get many options)

Where?

ONLY Shenpu clinics are authorised to give rabies vaccination for export.

– Shenpu Xuhui, 565 Xujiahui Lu, near Liyuan Lu徐家汇路565号

Tel. 5301 8000

– Shenpu Changning, 185 Tianshan Lu天山路185号 Tel. 6291 3730

When?

Same as Microchip, as soon as possible as you need it for Shanghai Dog License too. Again, If you wait until last minute, this has to be done minimum 4 to 5 months before your pooch departure date. Take into consideration that puppies need to be at least 16 weeks old and any Rabies vaccine given before Microchip is implanted or given by vets other then Shenpu, are not valid.

Take?

Your dog and your passport

Price?

80 RMB

Tips

1. Besides the Rabies vaccine, your dog will also need normal vaccines against Distemper and Parvo etc. Most used in Shanghai is the Vanguard 5 vaccine. Your vet should have given this to your dog at his first check. If your vet did not do this, you can combine this with Rabies vaccine but it is not recommended. Both are an attack on your dogs immune system so it is good to keep them a week separate.

2. For Shanghai dog license, you can get Rabies & Chip at different vets. These Rabies vaccines are NOT valid for export. Only Shenpu is allowed to hand out the Blue Vaccination Book that you need for export. So to make export in the end easier, go to Shenpu for your dog license.

After these two steps, there is a legal waiting period of minimum 30 DAYS before you can take the next step of the export procedure. This is done to make sure your dog builds up enough antibodies against Rabies.

USA or Canada can skip this step

If you are moving to USA or Canada, you can skip this step. There is no bloodtest required for export to USA or Canada.

What is it?

30 days after Rabies vaccination, your doggy will need a blood test to check if he has enough antibodies, basically to check if the Rabies vaccination worked.

How does it work?

There are many clinics in Shanghai that offer a complete deal, from drawing the blood to getting the test result for you. Make sure the vet also checks his microchip as it has been known to happen, dogs loose their microchips.

If you need any help, please do not hesitate to contact us. We export dogs to Europe all the time and have a solid relation with an EU approved laboratorium in Germany. For a total cost of 1.500 RMB, we can help you obtain the certificate.

Tip

The result of the bloodtest stays valid if you keep your dogs Rabies Vaccinations within one year of each other. So even if you are planning to leave next year or later, you can have bloodtest done now.

This is another reason why it is a good idea to start sooner then the minimum of 4 to 5 months. To pass the test, your dogs result has to be bigger or exactly 0.5 IU/ml. If your dog doesn’t pass, it does NOT mean he has rabies, it means he doesn’t have enough anti-bodies yet.

If your dog did not pass the test, get him a booster Rabies asap. This one you can get at any clinic. Then after one week, do another blood test.

If you wait until last minute, this can cause a lot of problems as it delays his departure date. So start now and avoid all stress.

Counting from the day that the blood was taken for the blood test, there is a legal waiting period of minimum 90 days. After this, your pet is allowed to fly.

Now this all depends on the size of your dog. Measure him standing up from nose to beginning of tail and from feet to top of his head. Your dog must be able to lie down, stand up and turn comfortable in the crate.

Again, don’t wait last minute to do this, the sooner you buy it, the more comfortable your dog will be. Make it his happy and safe place. You can take the door of the crate and award your dog with treats whenever he goes in there. He will start to associate the crate to a positive event.

Option 1: In Cabin

Every airline has their own rules for allowing small pets in cabin. So please check the specific regulations.

For example, these are the rules for KLM and AirFrance:

1. Maximum weight of animal + box: 8 kg

2. Maximum measurements of crate: 46Lx28Wx24H cm. Your pet must be able to stand up and lay down comfortably.

3. Crate has to be watertight & bite proof

Travel bags of Petsfit are perfect for this. Just type in Petsit 猫包 in Taobao. We went for Medium size which is a bit too big but the bags are only weight, not measured. On day of flight, just but peepad in. No need to put water bottle or food tray as you can put those in your hand luggage.

Option 2: Crates checked in as luggage

When your dog can fly on same flight as yourself, you can check him in like you check in your luggage. The crate will be placed in a special compartiment of the airplane with airconditioning.

CRATE REQUIREMENTS:

1. As with all crates, your dog has to be able to stand up, lie down and turn. To determine the size, measure your dog as mentioned above. Sky kennel, Iris or Petmate Crates are best. You can find them and many on alternatives on Taobao.

2. The crate must be designed to be leakproof.

3. Corners and sides are provided with screws to attach top & bottom (no click system)

4. Ventilation holes on at least three sides.

ADD TO CRATE:

1. Food tray (empty) must be attached to the inside of the crate. Most crates include these trays.

2. Water bottle (full) can be attached outside of the crate. Always a good idea to buy these in advance so your dog gets used to drinking from them. These cost on average 20 RMB on Taobao.

3. ZIP ties to lock corners of crate. There are holes on 4 corners of crate, secure these with ZIP ties. You can buy these at every small diy store (2 RMB for 40 pcs).

4. Put “Live animal” stickers on every side of the crate. As they are impossible to find finished, you can just print your own. Just put the templates you find below on a memory stick. Then go to office supply store and buy sticker paper. Do not buy the cheapest paper as they will come loose easy. Then take the sticker paper and your memory stick to your local print shop. Make sure they print them as “glossy”, otherwise the ink will come right off. The whole process will cost you 50 RMB maximum.

Arrows you can put all around.

Last two just cut in half to fit on crate.

Price for crates as luggage are very different per airline and per size. For more information, please check the websites of your chosen airline.

For big dogs, it is very important to confirm that there is room for XL crates on the flight, more about that later.

Option 3: Cargo

The option to avoid at all cost because it comes with a big price tag and your pet will be travelling longer. This option requires you use an agent and these guys charge big. Just to stand beside you at airport, they will ask 800 RMB or even charge for export document double, they just give it another name… If there really is no other option, please consult the Cargo section of your chosen airline to arrange this.

Option 4: Emotional Support Animal

If you have severe anxiety without your beloved pet by your side, you can apply for an ESA-certificate. This will allow you to take your pet into cabin with you, even when he is over 8 kg. Not all airlines accept this but KLM and AirFrance do.

Ask your psychiatrist to write you a letter stating these basic facts:

When you book your flight, immediately contact customer service and specify you will have an ESA pet with you.

These are the first 4 steps, you can do well in advance. Most important is to keep the Rabies Vaccinations within one year of each other and use Shenpu for this. Then the bloodtest will stay valid and you can leave anytime… When the time to leave comes closer, all you need to do is step 5 to 10.

Both for in Cabin and As Luggage option, its important you book your flight well in advance. If your dog flies Cargo, you can skip this step as you need to arrange directly with Cargo Department of the airline. If you have a snub nosed dog (for exemple bulldogs) please take a close look to restrictions as not every airline takes them on their flight.

In Cabin

Airlines only allow a certain number of animals in cabin per flight. As the dog will have to be placed under the seat in front of you,you can only take one pet per person, The space is limited for one pet.

As Luggage

If put with luggage, the crate of your dog will be put in a special “room’ in the airplane. It is next to the storage of the suitcases but it has air-conditioning and heating system. This “room” however, is very limited in space. Depending on the airline, you can take multiple pets per passport. For example, KLM and AirFrance have a limit of 3 pets per passport. Minimum age of the passenger is 18 when not accompanied by an adult.

Both options are based on First come, First served principle. So as soon as you have your booking number, contact Customer Service and book that room for your dog! Your dogs booking will be confirmed on your E-ticket.Please call Customer Service before you book your own ticket. Some airlines unfortunately to not allow to change your ticket when there is no room for your dog.

DOUBLECHECK

If you book your trip in two stages, with a transfer, be careful and ALWAYS CHECK IF YOUR DOG CAN GO ON BOTH FLIGHTS. For example flying to Moscow first with Aeroflot and then a second flight with another airline, will require an import permit of your dog for Moscow. Also the flight within Europe are usually done with smaller airplanes like Cityhopper. As the planes are smaller, so is the room for crates. This can be a problem when flying with multiple pets or with a big size pet.

To ensure the pets health in heat of summer and cold of winter, many airlines have travel bans for pets during this time. Always double check if there is no ban at the time that you will be flying. Again, for both flights as some of the transfer airplanes can not heat the hold in winter.

When?

EXACTLY one week before your flight

Where?

Shenpu official vet 565 Xujiahui Lu, near Liyuan Lu 徐家汇路565号 Tel. 5301 8000. No appointment needed, you can simply walk in.

Take?

1. Your dog

2. Your passport (take 2 copies)

3. Your e-ticket (take 2 copies)

4. Vaccination book (take 2 copies of every filled in page)

5. Result of the blood test (take 2 copies)

6. Cash 780-880 RMB (no cards are excepted)

Procedure

Shenpu vets will perform a general health check and check all your documents. You will be asked to go to second floor and fill in Export form. Make sure you are awake because this document is very important. You will be asked to fill in your name, adress in Shanghai, adress in your home country and phone numbers. Then you need to fill in your dogs information, pay special attention to the dates. They have to be exactly same as in his Blue Vaccination Book. You will walk out with a paper that to pick up documents DO NOT LOOSE IT!

When?

EXACTLY 2 days before your flight

Where?

Customs office, 7th Floor, Lansheng Building, No.1 Liu Lin Road, Huang Pu District Shanghai.

Opening hours Monday to Friday 9:00-11:00 and 14:00-16:00. (National Holidays excepted) – Tel. 021-688 943 37

黄浦区柳林路1号上海兰生大厦7楼报关大厅

Take?

1. Your passport

2. Paper from Shenpu to pick up documents

Procedure?

At entry, security will ask you to note your passport number in the visitors log. Go to third floor, enter the door on your left and walk to the counter all the way in the back. Hand over the paper from Shenpu to the lady. When the she gives you the papers, check all the information and especially the dates. If something is wrong, ask her to correct it as it is VERY important.

These paper are valid for 10 days so if anything goes wrong with your flight, you have 10 days to rebook.

Even after landing, keep these papers close. You need them to apply for an European passport for your dog.

Copy every single document you have, just to be sure you have back-up in case something is missing. Put them in a nice folder. Customs officers will appreciate it. Put one folder in your handluggage and one folder on the transport crate.

1. Your passport

2. Copies of dogs blue vaccination book

3. Your e-ticket

4. Export document of the dog

1. Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before boarding time.

2. Put the dog in the crate, Pudong airport does not allow “loose” dogs.

3. Go check in yourself like always, they will weigh the crate and give you the bill to transport the dog.

4. Go to the counter to pay the bill, some airlines only accept Euro or cash RMB so have both ready.

5. Walk back to the check-in and ask for last check-in time for your dog if he is going in hold.

6. Airline personnel will tape documents onto the crate. You can put a kitchen ZIP bag with some food on top of the crate and an extra water bottle. If you are delayed, your pet will have some water & food.

7. You can go back outside for a good nice walk. RELAX, if you are stressed, your dog will pick up on that.

8. When its time to go, put doggy in crate. Remove your dogs collar and leash so he can not get caught in it. And have the door secured with strips at airport.

9. If your dog goes in the hold, go to the “Special luggage” desk and give your dog a last kiss. When your dog goes with you in cabin, you can just take him through Customs with you. So no need to go to the “Special Luggage Desk” . You will need to take him out of crate for X-Ray so be prepared for that.

When you arrive in at your destination, pick up your pet from the “Special Luggage Desk” if he travelled as Luggage. Just walk through Customs, like you always do. If they stop you, hand over your folder with all the documents. Here is where the Chip Reader comes in handy. Walk out of the airport and start your amazing new life with your best friend on your side.

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU DID IT!

If you have any remarks or suggestions, please let us know! Also any happy after-pictures are greatly appreciated, we love those !!!