Exporting dogs and cats from the UK to China — EHC 8902
This page summarises the current UK legislation for exporting pet dogs and cats from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China. The controlling document is Export Health Certificate 8902, issued by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) under the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Source: GOV.UK · EHC 8902 — Certificate published 4 March 2026 · last updated 5 May 2026
1. Scope of the certificate
EHC 8902 authorises the export of one cat or one dog from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China, per accompanying adult traveller, per entry. It is issued in accordance with Announcement [2019] No. 5 of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) on Further Regulations Regarding the Quarantine and Supervision of Pets Entering China.
- One pet (cat or dog) per accompanying adult, per entry — strict Chinese policy.
- The animal must travel with the accompanying person named in the certificate.
2. Who may sign the certificate
The EHC must be signed and stamped by an Official Veterinarian (OV) appointed by DEFRA, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, or DAERA (Northern Ireland). The OV must sit on the appropriate export panel or hold the appropriate Official Controls Qualification (Veterinary) — OCQ(V) — authorisation. The OV stamp must be applied in any ink colour other than black.
3. How to apply
Applications are made online via the DEFRA EHC Online service (in England, Scotland and Wales) or through DAERA's DECS system (Northern Ireland). Both the exporter and the certifying OV must be registered.
- Government Gateway account (exporter).
- DEFRA EHC Online account (exporter and OV).
- APHA registration check for OVs and inspectors.
4. Origin of the animal & owner identification
GACC requires the passport number of the owner of the animal — and of the carrier, if different — to be recorded on the certificate. The OV must physically see the passport(s) and record their numbers before certifying the export.
5. Clinical health check
The animal must be clinically examined by the OV and found to be free from clinical signs of rabies and from other diseases listed in the Chinese list of quarantine diseases (Announcement No. 256 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs / General Administration of Customs).
6. Rabies vaccination
China requires separate documented evidence that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies. The vaccine must be used strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, and the rabies vaccination must be within its validity period at the time of export.
- Date(s) of vaccination.
- Type of vaccine.
- Product name.
- Batch / lot number.
- Manufacturer.
- The rabies vaccination certificate must be attached to and accompany the EHC.
7. Welfare during transport
Exporters and transporters must comply with UK live-animal transport legislation, based on Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 (as retained), implemented in England as The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006, with parallel legislation in Scotland and Wales. Where the animal travels by air, IATA Live Animals Regulations also apply.
8. Record keeping
The certifying OV must retain a copy of the signed EHC and all supporting documentation for two years. In Northern Ireland, a legible scanned or photographic copy of the final EHC must be returned to the DAERA processing office within one working day of signature.
9. Help & official contacts
England, Scotland and Wales: APHA on 03000 200 301. Northern Ireland: DAERA on 028 7744 2060. The APHA Centre for International Trade Carlisle (CITC) handles queries related to certified copies and quality assurance.
Bringing your pet back to Great Britain from China
The requirements below apply ONLY to the return leg (China → UK). They are NOT required to leave the UK for China. Because China is an unlisted country under GB pet travel rules, a rabies antibody blood test (RNATT) plus a three-month wait is mandatory before your pet can re-enter Great Britain.
Skip the 3-month wait: do the rabies titre test BEFORE leaving the UK
If there is any chance your dog or cat will come back from China to the UK, we strongly recommend taking the rabies antibody blood sample (RNATT) here in the UK, BEFORE you fly out. The UK is a listed country: a valid RNATT drawn before departure remains valid indefinitely as long as rabies boosters stay in date — and the 3-month waiting period does NOT apply when the sample was taken in a listed country before the pet ever entered China.
- Blood sample drawn at our Central London clinic at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
- Tested at a UK/EU-approved laboratory; result must be ≥ 0.5 IU/ml.
- Keep rabies boosters up to date — the certificate stays valid for the pet's life.
- On return from China, no 3-month wait: your pet can fly back as soon as the GB health certificate and (for dogs) tapeworm treatment are in order.
ISO microchip
Implanted before the rabies vaccination — any vaccine given before the chip does not count.
Valid rabies vaccination
Primary course or in-date booster administered after the microchip.
Rabies antibody titration (RNATT) ≥ 0.5 IU/ml
Blood sample taken at least 30 days after vaccination, tested at an EU/UK-approved laboratory.
3-month wait
From the date of the successful blood sample until entry into Great Britain.
GB health certificate
Great Britain Health Certificate issued in China by an official veterinarian shortly before travel (validity limited — check current rules).
Tapeworm treatment (dogs only)
Praziquantel treatment given 24–120 hours before arrival in GB and recorded by a vet.
Authorised route & carrier
Enter GB via an approved route with an approved transport company; pets may not travel as hand luggage.
Official documents
The following documents are published by GOV.UK and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Always check the latest versions before certification — they are updated periodically.
- GOV.UK — Export dogs and cats to China: certificate 8902
- Notes for Guidance (NFG 8902) — PDF
- Specimen certificate EHC 8902, version 1 — PDF
This page is an editorial summary for pet owners and is provided for information only. It does not replace the official certificate, the Notes for Guidance, or advice from a DEFRA-registered Official Veterinarian. It is the exporter's responsibility to verify current requirements with APHA / DAERA and with the competent Chinese authorities before travel.
Downloadable checklists
Bilingual (EN/ZH) one-page PDF checklists per pet type, with required documents and issue windows. Always confirm with your Official Veterinarian before travel.
Return checklists include the rabies antibody titre test (RNATT) and the 3-month wait — required only to re-enter the UK.
Ready to start your EHC for China?
Book a 45-minute appointment with our DEFRA-registered Official Veterinarians in Central London. We prepare and sign the full EHC 8902 pack — microchip check, rabies vaccination review, owner passport link, welfare-compliant paperwork.