Q: I need to confirm the date on which the animal health certificate will be issued for my dog traveling from Shanghai to Germany.

My dog had a blood sample collected on July 22 for a rabies antibody titration test. Under European Union regulations, the blood collection date must be at least 90 days before the animal health certificate is issued.

I plan to fly from Shanghai to Germany on Oct 23. I would like to ask: Can I complete the on-site health inspection before Oct 22? Can the animal health certificate also be issued and collected on the same day?

A: Under the EU entry requirements for dogs and cats, the blood sample for the rabies antibody titration test must be collected at least 30 days after the date of the primary rabies vaccination, or within a current valid vaccination series, and at least 90 days before the Animal Health Certificate is issued.

If you need to apply to Shanghai Customs for an Animal Health Certificate for your pet's departure, you must submit an application in advance through the "互联网+海关 (Internet + Customs)" platform, under the "携带出境宠物检疫 (Quarantine for Pets Carried Out of China)" section.

Once the application is approved, you may bring your pet to the Huangpu Customs Sanmen Road Office (Address: No 617 Sanmen Road) at the appointed time for an on-site inspection.

Under the EU rule, for a blood sample collected on July 22, the Animal Health Certificate may be issued no earlier than Oct 20.

After your pet passes the on-site inspection, Huangpu Customs will issue the certificate as soon as possible, in the order in which on-site inspections are completed. The processing time will not exceed three working days. 

If you have any further questions, please get in touch with Huangpu Customs at 021-6889-4323.

For more details about obtaining an Animal Health Certificate for your pet, please refer to this article.

Source: Shanghai Customs