Pets in Taiwan - to bring or not to bring

Government Regulation of the Taiwan for Importing Dogs or Cats

1. An animal owner or the authorized representative (hereafter referred to as Applicant) who intends to import dogs / cats (pets) via CKS Airport, should present the following documents to the office for an import permit two weeks prior to the date of transport;
   1. An application form (identifying the scheduled date of import, the applicant and local contact person’s name, address, telephone number, etc.)
   2. A copy of veterinary (quarantine / health) certificate issued by an official veterinarian of the exporting country with the following information:
      • The pet’s breed, sex, age (or date of birth), fur color, physical characteristics and the signature of an official veterinarian of the exporting country
      • Date of rabies vaccination and the type of vaccine administered (effective period of rabies vaccination pertains to thirty days from the date of vaccination to one year)
   3. Four 4x6 photographs of the pet in full body
   4. A copy of the applicant’s passport or ID

   Notice: Where an applicant fails to meet with the document requirements above or if the vaccination exceeds the said effective period, the application should be rejected.

2. After having obtained an “import permit document”, the applicant in bringing the pet, should enclose an original veterinary (quarantine / health) certificate issued by an official veterinary quarantine organization of the exporting country, and apply for quarantine according to R.O.C. laws.

   Notice: - If the original veterinary (quarantine / health) certificate(s) issued by an official veterinary quarantine organization of the exporting country is not presented, the pet should be returned in shipment or else be destroyed.

3. The pet imported from rabies epidemic areas should be deemed as susceptible animal. After verification of the animal with its veterinary (quarantine / health) certificates(s) issued by an official veterinary quarantine organization of the exporting country , it should be sent to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the National Chung Hsing University for twenty-one days of quarantine. If necessary, the period above should be extended.

   Notice: - If the said “import permit document” is not presented or contains incomplete information, the said quarantine period may be extended for one month. If necessary, the period above shall be further extended.

4. The pet imported from rabies-free areas should be accompanied by an original veterinary (quarantine / health) certificate issued by an official veterinary quarantine organization of the exporting country, upon which the following is clearly documented:
   1. The dog / cat is in good physical condition
   2. The country of export has had no rabies occurrence in the past six months
   3. The dog / cat was born or bred in the country of export for more than six months.

   Notice:

   If the contents of the veterinary (quarantine / health) certificate(s) do not meet the terms above, the pet should be subject to the regulations on the importation of the pet as from rabies epidemic areas.

5. The pet imported from rabies-free areas, after 1) verification with the veterinary (quarantine / health) certificate(s) issued by an official veterinary quarantine organization of the exporting country, 2) confirmation of the effectiveness of its vaccination and 3) diagnosed at the site as healthy, shall be issued a veterinary certificate and released.

   Notice:

   1. The pet imported from rabies-free areas that is chemically diagnosed to be questionable or has quarantine certificates with incomplete information, should be detained for inspection or else be subject to the regulations on the importation of the pet as from rabies-epidemic areas.
   2. The pet imported from rabies-free areas, if shipped via airport or harbor of rabies epidemic areas, should be deemed as imported from rabies epidemic areas and subject to quarantine.

Quarantine Regulations for the Exportation of Dogs and Cats

1. In order to export dogs and/or cats, the applicant should apply to an animal hospital certified by the bureau for rabies vaccination, and obtain health certificate for health at least one month prior to export. (The certificate must state the date of vaccination and vaccine type used).
2. Before export, applicant should bring the pet along with its health certificate (the passenger should present passport), and apply for quarantine with the bureau’s offices, ports or airport’s quarantine section.
3. If the pet is in good condition, a veterinary certificate of export will be issued.

   Notice: - Where the country of import regulates otherwise, the said country’s related regulations should be observed.

Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine

• Animal Quarantine Section 03-398 2431 25
  Hungching N Road CKS International Airport Taoyuan Taiwan ROC
• The office’s appointed quarantine institution: Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the National Chung Hsing University 04-287 0180 250
  Kaokwang Road Taichung City Taiwan ROC