Travelling with a pet through Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) requires careful preparation. Hong Kong has strict animal import controls, and the process depends on both your airline and the country or place from which your dog or cat is arriving. One of the most important differences at HKG is how pets enter Hong Kong. Dogs and cats imported by air must generally arrive as manifested cargo rather than as ordinary cabin pets or excess baggage.

How Pets Travel at Hong Kong Airport

Airlines normally offer several ways to transport animals, but Hong Kong’s import rules determine which option can actually be used when your pet enters the territory.

Cabin Pet

Available on some airlines and routes, but not the normal import method for dogs and cats entering Hong Kong.

Checked Pet

Some airlines normally accept pets in the hold, but Hong Kong does not permit imported dogs and cats to arrive as ordinary excess baggage.

Manifested Cargo

This is the key transport method for dogs and cats being imported into Hong Kong by air.

Important for HKG: An airline allowing pets in the cabin on other routes does not mean you can bring a regular dog or cat into Hong Kong in the cabin.

Airline Pet Policies and Fees at HKG

The table below compares 20 major airlines serving Hong Kong. The fee column shows general published pet charges or the airline’s pricing method where available. For dogs and cats entering Hong Kong, manifested-cargo rules take priority and the final cargo price can be different.

Airline General Pet Travel HKG Import Pet Fee Guide
Cathay Pacific Live Animal Cargo Cargo Cargo quotation
Emirates Hold / Cargo depending on route Cargo for HKG Import Up to 23 kg: USD 500
24–32 kg: USD 650
Over 32 kg: USD 800
Qatar Airways Checked pet / Cargo Cargo for HKG Import Up to 32 kg: about USD 350
32–75 kg: about USD 450 on many routes
Turkish Airlines Cabin up to 8 kg / Hold above 8 kg Cargo Rules Apply Route and weight based
PETC and AVIH priced separately
Singapore Airlines Checked pet on eligible routes Cargo for HKG Import Route and weight based
Lufthansa Cabin / Hold on eligible routes Cargo Rules Apply Intercontinental cabin: about EUR 70
Hold: about EUR 150–300
SWISS Cabin / Hold on eligible routes Cargo Rules Apply Long-haul cabin: about EUR 125
Hold: about EUR 190–380
Finnair Cabin / Hold on eligible routes Cargo Rules Apply Intercontinental cabin: about EUR 120–130
Hold / cargo: route based
Air France Cabin / Hold on eligible routes Cargo Rules Apply Route and transport option based
KLM Cabin / Hold on eligible routes Cargo Rules Apply General international guide: about EUR 200 cabin / EUR 400 hold on many itineraries
Korean Air Cabin / Hold Cargo Rules Apply Distance and combined-weight based
ANA Hold on many international services Cargo for HKG Import General regional international fee: about JPY 25,000 per cage
Japan Airlines (JAL) Hold on eligible international services Cargo for HKG Import Japan–Asia general guide: about JPY 25,000 / USD 250 per crate
EVA Air Checked pet on eligible routes Cargo Rules Apply Excess-baggage / pet tariff based
China Airlines Checked pet on eligible routes Cargo Rules Apply Route and weight based
Philippine Airlines Checked / Cargo depending on route Cargo for HKG Import Route and combined-weight based
Air India Cabin / Hold on eligible routes Cargo Rules Apply Route-specific pet tariff
Etihad Airways Cabin pet on eligible routes Cargo Rules Apply General eligible cabin pet service: about USD 1,500 per flight
Malaysia Airlines Hold / Cargo depending on route Cargo for HKG Import Route and shipment based
Vietnam Airlines Cabin / Hold on eligible routes Cargo Rules Apply Route, weight and transport-option based
Important: These are general airline pet-fee references, not guaranteed Hong Kong import prices. A dog or cat entering HKG as manifested cargo can have a separate cargo quotation plus handling, kennel, agent and terminal charges.

Cathay Pacific Pet Travel From Hong Kong

Cathay is especially important for pet travel at HKG because pet shipments are handled through its Cathay Live Animal cargo service rather than as ordinary passenger baggage.

Dedicated Animal Facilities
Cathay Cargo Terminal provides dedicated animal handling areas and temperature-controlled facilities.
Cargo Booking Process
Pet shipments require cargo arrangements and an Air Waybill rather than an ordinary passenger pet reservation.
Pet Travel Agent
Cathay recommends arranging pet transportation through an experienced pet travel agent, including IPATA-member providers.

Which Country Group Is Your Pet Coming From?

Hong Kong’s import requirements depend heavily on the AFCD classification of the country or place where your pet is coming from.

Group I
Lowest-risk origins with specific permit, identification and certification requirements.
Group II
Pets may qualify for quarantine exemption when all applicable permit conditions are fully met.
Group IIIA
RNATT and quarantine arrangements apply. Qualifying pets generally face a minimum 30-day quarantine.
Group IIIB
The most extensive quarantine requirements apply, and quarantine accommodation must be arranged before import.

Hong Kong Special Permit

A Special Permit from AFCD is required before bringing a dog or cat into Hong Kong. Permit requirements can also apply when an animal is transiting or being transshipped through HKG.

First Animal
HK$432
Special Permit fee
Each Additional Animal
HK$102
Same permit and shipment
Do not finalise the flight first. AFCD advises travellers to obtain the required permit and, where necessary, secure quarantine arrangements before committing to the pet’s journey.

Microchip, Rabies and RNATT

For higher-risk origin groups, preparing a pet can take months rather than days. The sequence of identification, vaccination and blood testing is important.

Microchip Identification
The microchip identifies the animal, and the number must match the relevant veterinary and laboratory records.
Rabies Vaccination
Vaccination timing must comply with the conditions that apply to your pet’s country group.
RNATT
For Group IIIA animals, the accepted rabies antibody result must reach at least 0.5 IU/ml.

Hong Kong Pet Quarantine

Whether your dog or cat needs quarantine depends mainly on its origin group and whether all import conditions have been completed correctly.

Origin Group Typical Quarantine Position
Group I Follow the specific low-risk origin conditions stated on the permit.
Group II Quarantine exemption may be available when all requirements are satisfied.
Group IIIA Generally a minimum 30-day quarantine under the applicable programme.
Group IIIB Longer quarantine arrangements apply, and space must be secured before import.

Animal Health Certificate

Veterinary paperwork must match the AFCD requirements for your pet’s origin group. For Group IIIA imports, the Animal Health Certificate must be issued no more than 7 days before export.

The certificate must be issued by a government veterinary officer or issued by a registered veterinarian and officially endorsed where required. Make sure the pet’s microchip number appears correctly on the certificate.

Arriving at HKG With Your Pet

Because imported dogs and cats arrive as manifested cargo, you will not simply collect your pet from the passenger baggage carousel.

Cargo Arrival
Your pet arrives through the airline’s approved live-animal cargo handling process.
AFCD Inspection
Officers check the animal and the required original import documents.
Document Clearance
The Special Permit, vaccination records and any required laboratory documentation are verified.
Release or Quarantine
Depending on the applicable import conditions, your pet can be released or moved to the arranged quarantine facility.

Connecting Through Hong Kong With a Pet

A pet connection at HKG must be planned separately from an ordinary passenger connection.

24 Hours
Normal Maximum Stay

When transit or transhipment involves changing aircraft or vessel in Hong Kong, an AFCD permit must generally be obtained in advance.

Unless prior approval is granted, the animal must normally not remain in Hong Kong for more than 24 hours.

If the animal remains on the same aircraft or vessel throughout the Hong Kong transit, different permit rules may apply. Confirm the exact arrangement before travelling.

Short-Nosed Dogs and Cats

Brachycephalic breeds need additional planning because individual airlines and cargo operators can impose special acceptance, kennel and temperature conditions.

Check Breed Rules Before Booking
Never assume that a short-nosed pet will be accepted simply because the airline transports other dogs or cats. Specialist cargo arrangements or breed-specific restrictions may apply.

Larger Dogs and Cargo Travel

Large pets require particular attention to kennel dimensions, total shipment weight and the cargo operator’s live-animal rules.

Enough Space
The kennel should allow the pet to stand, sit, turn around and lie down naturally.
Safe Ventilation
The container must meet the airline or cargo operator’s ventilation and construction requirements.

Before You Fly to HKG With Your Pet

Check Your Country Group
Determine whether your pet is coming from Group I, II, IIIA or IIIB before planning the journey.
Arrange Quarantine First
If quarantine applies, confirm availability before purchasing a non-refundable pet journey.
Get the Special Permit
Do not rely on an airline reservation alone. AFCD permission is a separate requirement.
Arrange Manifested Cargo
Dogs and cats being imported into Hong Kong by air cannot simply arrive as ordinary cabin pets or excess baggage.
Keep Original Documents Ready
Permit, vaccination, health and laboratory records may need to be presented during clearance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For normal pet imports by air, no. Dogs and cats must generally enter Hong Kong as manifested cargo rather than carry-on or excess baggage.

Yes. Dogs and cats require the applicable Special Permit from Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department before import.

The current fee is HK$432 for one animal and HK$102 for each additional animal under the same permit for the same shipment.

It depends on the pet’s country or place of origin and whether all import conditions are satisfied. Group II pets may qualify for exemption, while Group IIIA and IIIB origins involve quarantine requirements.

Qualifying dogs and cats from Group IIIA countries or places generally undergo a minimum 30-day quarantine when the applicable requirements are met.

For Group IIIA pets, an accepted RNATT is part of the import process and the result must reach at least 0.5 IU/ml.

For Group IIIA imports, the Animal Health Certificate must be issued no more than 7 days before export.

Yes, but a permit is generally required when the transit or transshipment involves changing aircraft or vessel in Hong Kong.

Normally no more than 24 hours unless prior approval for a longer stay has been granted.

Yes. Cathay handles pet shipments through its Cathay Live Animal cargo service, subject to route, animal and booking requirements.

Potentially, but airline restrictions vary. Some carriers require specialist arrangements or restrict particular brachycephalic breeds.

No. Emotional support dogs are not automatically treated as recognised Disability Assistance Dogs under Hong Kong’s pet-import rules.

No. Obtain the required AFCD permission and arrange any necessary quarantine before making final non-refundable pet travel arrangements.