In 2021, pets’ owners in China are over 68 million, among which 59.5% are cats’ lovers and 51.7% are dogs’ lovers. When we move to new places, most people will bring pets. So, how to bring pets while travelling in China? Can pets take fast/bullet trains in China? What to do to take flights with pets in China? Can you bring pets into aircraft cabins? What kind of pets can be transported in China?
The ways to transport pets in China?
Generally, there are 3 ways to transport pets, i.e., railway, flight, and car. We will discuss them from many ways, which are the cost, documents preparation, procedure, efficiency, convenience, and others.
Take trains with pets in China
Relatively, the railway transport is more convenient for those who have many pets and will travel far.
1. Considering fast trains only have passengers’ carriages, you ONLY cantake regular or slow trains with pets! It is because your pets will be put in the cargo carriages, not in the passengers’ carriages with you. You will be allowed to check out your pets before the arrival but need to fill in a form to confirm the time, and train attendants will check them out about every 4 hours.
2. You can leave food and water in carriers. Puta urinal pad in the carrier. It is a good idea to stick a note with your name and phone number on outside the carrier, in case pets are lost or any accident happens.
3. Usually, there is no strict amount restriction. Different from planes which have strict rules about the pet’s species, like terriers etc. are not allowed to take flights, most cats, dogs, rabbits, and small mammals can take train.
4. You must put your pets in pet carriers. Carriers should be like flights’ standard.
5. In addition, pets cannot take train unattended! You must take train with your pets.
6. Cargo carriages DO NOT haveheating or air conditioner, so be extremely cautious in hot summer and frozen
7. Comparatively, the train transport is the most economical. For example, a cat usually costsless than 100RMB. They will be charged by their weight, include the pet and its carrier. Generally, one kilogram is 0.5-2 RMB, which depends on the milage and species. Normally, one pet and its carrier are supposed to be under 50kg. Besides, they will charge you wrapping fee too, but it is small.
8. Most train stations can do pets transport, but the staff probably recommend you book the train that the first departure station is where you are, so they will have enough time to bring your pets into the carriage.
9. Asthe flight transport, you need to get your pets’ the Animal Veterinary Inspection Certificate (动物检疫合格证 in Chinese), which is the most difficult step. If you want to know details of the certificate, click here to submit a request. On the departure day, bring your ticket, passport and 2 copies, and the Animal Veterinary Inspection Certificate to the train station about 2 hours before the departure.
10. You and your pets will go to the cargo transport office to do the examination, instead of the regular arrival/departure hall. Likewise, when you pick up your pets, go to the cargo transport office too. If you are lucky and quick, you will pick them up outside the cargo carriages directly.
11. One train can take many pets, so your pets might be put in the same carriage with other pets! Be careful if your pets are timid.
12. To get the Animal Veterinary Inspection Certificate (动物检疫合格证in Chinese) promptly, click here to submit a request. We will instruct you step by step to your pets get home safely.
13. No individual or company will be responsible for your pets’ safety!!! You will not get too much compensation if your pets died during the trip!! Make sure your pets could handle the trip!
Take planes with pets in China
Taking flights with pets has its merits and demerits too. It is fast and clean, but it requires more time and energy to prepare.
1. Not all airlines in China can transport pets!! By our experience, AirChina, China Southern Airline, China Eastern Airline, Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Shenzhen Airlines have SOME flights that can transport. You need to call the airline to ask before booking. Some planes do not accept pets’ transport reservation, like Sichuan Airlines. They will tell u to bring your pets and documents to the airport and transport them directly on the departure day.
2. Not all animals can take flights!!! It is limited to domestic dogs and cats. Cats and dogs that are aggressive and may injure people, as well as pure and mixed cat and dog breeds with short snouts that are prone to breathing problems, are not accepted for transport. including but not limited to: Terriers (e.g. Schnauzer, Boston Terrier), Boxers, Bulldogs, and Spaniels, mastiffs, pugs, mastiffs, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, English cocker spaniels, English toy spaniels, King Charles spaniels, bullmastiffs, Affenpinschers, Lhasa apsos, Pekingese, Chow Chows, Japanese chins, shar-peis, shih tzus, pit bulls, Japanese mastiffs (including Tosa-Inus), Brazilian mastiffs, Dogo Argentinos, Burmese cats, Himalayan cats, Persian cats, exotic shorthair cats (such as 'Garfield'), etc. Cats and dogs that are pregnant, less than 8 weeks old, nursing, have given birth within 7 days or are sick will not be accepted for carriage.
3. All planes have the quantitative limitation. Some are 2 and some are 10 each plane. For example, planes of Sichuan Airline can fit 10 pets once, but one passenger is only allowed to bring maximum 2 pets.
4. Flight transport has requirements about the temperature. The outdoor temperature must be -12 – 32 ℃(14-89.6℉). If it is frozen or torrid, the service will be suspended.
5. Pets can take flights unattended, buy you will pay more.
6. For most planes, your pets will be loaded into cargo compartments equipped with an oxygen supply, not into the cabin with you! There is only one airline that allows to bring pets into cabin, which is Hainan airline,but your pet and its carrier must be lighter than 5kg. Their price is 1399 RMB each referring to the charge of 2022. One passenger can take one pet into the cabin once.
7. Apart from documents, wrapping, and other fees, the cost isup to the weight. E.g., a 5kg cat with its 1kg carrier is about 120-200 RMB charge by the airline. Each pet and the carrier are supposed to be under 32 kg. The wrapping fee is about 20 RMB each. Including the documents preparation, one cat is between 600-800 RMB.
8. You must put your pets in pet carriers. Air China has the strictest rules, so it is better to buy one by their rule. Here are details:
*You must prepare a travel carrier for your pet which meets airline requirements (Figure 1) and secure it appropriately (Figure 2). If you are using an air travel-approved pet carrier with a detachable roof, the locking latches must be intact, with no missing nuts, bolts, or locks. Doors must be sealed via an additional, external locking method, but this external locking method must not cause any harm to the pet (Figure 2).
Figure 1–Front
Figure 1–Back
Figure 2
9. To bring pets into the cabin, Hainan Airlines has size requirements of the carrier. The length, width, and height are less than 35*28*24 cm. Thecarrier does not need to be like those above! Besides, your pet will be put under seat, not on your legs.
10. Asthe train transport, you need to get your pets’ the Animal Veterinary Inspection Certificate (动物检疫合格证 in Chinese), which is not easy. If you want to know more details about the certificate, click here to submit a request. On the departure day, bring your passport and the Animal Veterinary Inspection Certificate to the airport.
11. You and your pets will go to the wrapping place to wrap them first, and then wait in que to register the luggage and pets together. After the registration and paid, you need to bring your pets to the Oversized Luggage Office andthen say goodbye to your pets for hours. Likewise, you will see them again at the Oversized Luggage Office after landing in. Also, you’d better arrive at the airport at least 2 hours an advance.
12. To get the Animal Veterinary Inspection Certificate (动物检疫合格证in Chinese) promptly, click here to submit a request. We will instruct you step by step to your pets get home safely.
13. No individual or company will be responsible for your pets’ safety!!! You will not get too much compensation if your pets died during the trip!! Make sure your pets could handle the trip!!
Transport pets by car in China
Compared with train and flight transport, car transport is the easiest. You do not need to get the Animal Veterinary Inspection Certificate, or make a reservation, or worry about the weather. You just need to contact us, tell us your location, destination, date, animal species and amounts. We will help you to transport them from door to door. You also need to put your pets in carriers. Usually, pets will spend one night on car, so it is better to prepare them food and water. We offer door to door pick up and escort service. Your pets will put in vehicles with heating and air conditioning. For more details, click here to submit a request.
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