Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Hey!
Check out this site: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/
Then go to exporting pets. There’s helpful information on how to find a USDA approved vet and which USDA office is closest to you (where you’ll have to send the Health Certificates to get validated). People were super helpful when I called to get more info.
And yes, currently China only requires proof of rabies vaccination and the Health Certificate.
No interview in my experience, and there were no questions about my mother’s visa or how long she would be here. Again, have no idea if this is always the case but I do think if you have your paperwork in order and aren’t being a crazy person you stand a good chance 🙂 Quarantine area shouldn’t be different with carrying cats off the plane… only difference is the dogs actually came out on the luggage wheel with all the other luggage!
For cats especially you’ll have no trouble finding toys, food, etc. If your little corner store doesn’t have anything (and it probably will), the bigger stores like Carrefoure do.
Hi Justin,
My husband and I moved to Chengdu this past September and we brought our two (pretty large) dogs with us. I’ll outline what I did/know, but feel free to get in touch if you have any questions and I can see what I can do to help.
My husband is on a Z visa, I am on an S1 visa. He was already in China when I brought the dogs. Basically you’re dealing with two sets of requirements: the airlines, and then China. Airlines are pretty straight forward and vary depending on whether the pets count as excess baggage (mine did because they’re big), or carry on, but typically you need proof of vaccinations and then a USDA certified health certificate filled out by a USDA vet. That’s the trickier part because the form needs to be filled out within a very specific time frame before you fly (I believe 10 days). It’s basically just an official form that your animal is healthy.
Not surprisingly the rules for getting pets into China is confusing, so again I can tell you what I did and what worked. China does say that you can only have one passport per pet. Since my husband was already in China, my mother actually flew with me and the dogs. She has a regular tourist visa. When the vet filled out our USDA Health Certificate, they put both my name and my mother’s name on both certificates. If your FIRST port of entry in China is Chengdu, there is currently no quarantine. From what I can gather, this is simply because they do not have the facilities (which means it could change one day). Beijing and Shanghai both technically require quarantines of 30 days.. I know people who have gotten around this, but if you can fly directly into Chengdu I think you’re better off. Also heard rumors of no quarantine if you come through Guangzhou, but again haven’t done that one myself.
In Chengdu once through immigration and security check, there is a little quarantine desk at the other side before you exit. They checked my documents there, and the fact that my mother was on a tourist visa did not seem to make any difference. They gave me paper to register the dogs within a certain time frame upon leaving the airport. It was completely painless (the hype and uncertainly leading up to it was more stressful).
I hope that helps a bit. I also had some phrases and information written out in Chinese in case it was needed.
I might take you up on the kefir, let me see if I can tackle this kombucha first! I’ll let you know if I find anything out 🙂
I know there was some mention on this forum about making your own kombucha… @Justintochina I PM’d you about possibly getting a scoby, but does anyone else have one or know where to purchase kombucha so I can get started on my own? Thanks 🙂
