Pet Import to Taiwan

In general, I suggest that you do not import pets to Taiwan, but if you are determined to do so, please research the requirements carefully and budget enough to cover the costs. The official Taiwan government's pet import regulations can be found here. You can download the regulations in English as well as an import permit application.

You can expect that importing a pet can cause difficulties and will involve a considerable expense. You can contract a pet agent to assist in the process. This will make your life a lot easier but will significantly increase your costs.

Here is an overview of what is needed for an import permit:

In order to apply for the import permit, copies are acceptable. Upon arrival in Taiwan, all original documents must be available along with the import permit.

Microchip please provide details

Vaccinated against rabies

Primary vaccination at the age of at least 90 days old, and the period between the day of vaccination and the day of shipment shall be no less than 180 days and no more than one year.

Booster vaccination: vaccinated no more than one year prior to shipment.

Blood samples of dogs or cats to be imported shall be taken and sent to the designated laboratory for neutralization antibody titration test for rabies antibody which shall be at least 0.5IU/ml. Report of neutralization antibody titration test for rabies antibody which shall be at least 0.5IU/ml and tested by rabies reference laboratories of the World Organization for Animal Health or laboratories designated by the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine with the blood sampling date no less than 180 days and no more than 2 years prior to shipment.

Rabies vaccination certificate issued by a veterinarian of exporting country and certifying vaccination by inactivated vaccines. The rabies vaccination certificate shall be in Chinese, English or bilingual and state the breed, sex, age, microchip number, date of rabies vaccination, and whether the vaccination was primary or a booster.

health/vaccination certificates must indicate the rabies vaccination is "killed virus" or "not active virus" and whether it is "primary" or "booster".

A copy of passport or identification card of the importer.

The importer shall apply to the animal quarantine authority of exporting country for a veterinary certificate, the veterinary certificate shall be in Chinese, English or bilingual and include the following information:

(1) Breed, sex, age, and microchip number of the dog or cat.

(2) Date of vaccination against rabies with inactivated vaccine, and whether the vaccination was primary or a booster.

(3) No clinical sign of rabies shown upon inspection of the dog or cat.

(4) At least 0.5 IU/ml rabies antibody in the blood of the dog or cat sampled no less than 180 days and no more than 2 years prior to shipment for a neutralization antibody titration test which shall be carried out by rabies reference laboratories of the World Organization for Animal Health or laboratories designated by the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine.

On arrival of the dog or cat at the port of entry, the importer shall apply to the animal quarantine authority for quarantine inspection and submit the import permit, original veterinary certificate issued by the animal quarantine authority of exporting country, bill of lading or customs declaration form (or B/L). The dog or cat without an original veterinary certificate issued by the animal quarantine authority of exporting country shall be re-exported or destroyed.

A. When conducting quarantine inspection of the dog or cat imported from rabies-infected countries, animal quarantine authority at the port of entry shall check the veterinary certificate and detain the dog or cat at the designated post-entry quarantine premise for 21 days. During quarantine detention, the blood of the dog or cat may be sampled and tested again for rabies antibody. If the rabies antibody is under 0.5 IU/ml, the dog or cat shall be revaccinated with inactivated rabies vaccine.

1. Please be advised that if any incompliance is found in the statement of the certificate, the dogs or cats will be re-exported, destroyed or detained at the designated post-entry quarantine premise for 180 days.

It is strongly advised that pets arrive in Taiwan on a weekday morning. Pet customs is only open during business hours, so if your pet arrives in the evening, then you will have to wait until 9:00 AM the next morning to clear customs. Evening flights may be unavoidable, but do your best to avoid weekends. Time spent at the airport does not count toward time in quarantine. If your pet is held at the airport, only you, the owner, will have access to the pet, and you will be responsible for providing food and water.

Here are some of the costs involved excluding your pet's airfare, and any agent fee which can be hundreds of US Dollars.

A. Airport terminal or airlines handling fee: Approx. USD 50.00 charged at cost.

B. Quarantine station fee: Approx. USD 25.00/per day/per pet or at cost if over / mandatory 21 day quarantine. Estimated rate USD 525.00

C. Tax/Duty as assessed by customs