Moving Your Pet to Taiwan
What the Process Actually Looks Like
Taiwan is a destination for expats, academics, and professionals in tech and semiconductors — and for Taiwanese nationals returning home. Getting a pet there from the US takes real planning: Taiwan classifies the US as a rabies-infected country, which means a titer test is required and most US-origin pets spend seven days in a designated quarantine facility on arrival. Neither requirement is a dealbreaker, but both need to be factored in from the start.
How Will Your Pet Travel?
Available for small pets in a soft-sided carrier under the seat, subject to your airline's pet policy and weight limit (commonly ~20 lbs incl. carrier). Book directly with your airline.
In-cabin
Pet flies in the cargo hold on your same flight. Airlines typically won't accept brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds — Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Persian cats — this way; those pets should use manifest cargo. Confirm weight/crate requirements with your carrier first.
Excess baggage
Pet travels as freight, possibly a different flight than yours — standard for larger pets, restricted breeds, or if you're not flying the same day. Taiwan doesn't require cargo-only entry, so it comes down to size and airline policy. Global Tails handles cargo booking, check-in, and arrival coordination.
Manifest Cargo
High. The titer test, sequencing rules, and post-entry quarantine put Taiwan closer to Japan or Australia on the complexity scale. The process is well-documented by Taiwan’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA), but there are several moving parts that must happen in the right order — and getting any of them wrong delays the timeline significantly.
Complexity level: High
Recommended start time: 5+ months before travel
Titer test required: Yes — dogs and cats
Post-arrival quarantine: 7 days at a designated facility (waiver available — see below)
Is Taiwan Difficult for Pet Relocation?
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Entry Point
Most US-origin pets enter Taiwan through TPE — Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (Taoyuan), which handles the majority of international cargo flights to Taiwan.
Step-by-Step: How Pet Relocation to Taiwan Works
Step 1 — Age Check
Your pet must be over 90 days old at the time of import. This applies to both dogs and cats and must be met before any other step begins.
Step 2 — Vaccinations
Your pet must have an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be implanted on or before the first rabies vaccination. This sequencing rule is firm. A pet vaccinated before being microchipped does not meet Taiwan’s requirements, regardless of how long ago the vaccination was given.
Step 3 — Rabies Vaccination
Your pet needs a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 30 days before the departure date and no more than 1 year before travel. Taiwan treats all rabies vaccinations as valid for one year only — even if the US veterinarian labeled the product as a 3-year vaccine.
The vaccination record must show the vaccination date, the name of the vaccine, and the manufacturer. APHIA requires this information on the certificate, so vague entries like “Rabies 3-year” without a product name won’t be sufficient.
Step 4 — Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titer Test
Because the US is classified as a rabies-infected country, all pets must pass a rabies neutralizing antibody titer test before travel. The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml, performed by an APHIA-designated reference laboratory.
A few things to know about the blood draw: - We recommend waiting at least 21 days after the primary rabies vaccination before drawing blood — this gives the vaccine time to generate a sufficient antibody response and improves the likelihood of a passing result - The test result is valid for up to 1 year from the date the blood was drawn
The timing of the blood draw also determines whether your pet will need post-entry quarantine (see Quarantine Conditions below). Lab processing typically takes 4–6 weeks, so factor that into your scheduling.
The test must be performed at a WOAH-designated rabies reference laboratory or an APHIA-designated lab. The following US labs are approved: - Kansas State Rabies Laboratory (Kansas) — FAVN - Department of Defense Laboratory, Veterinary Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory (Texas) — FAVN - Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Virology Laboratory — FAVN - University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory — FAVN
Step 5 — Import Quarantine Permit and Quarantine Space Reservation
An import quarantine permit from APHIA is required before your pet can travel — and at the same time, a post-entry quarantine space reservation must be made with the animal quarantine authority at the port of entry. Both the permit application and the space reservation must be submitted at least 20 days before your pet’s arrival date. If you’re pursuing a quarantine waiver, both must be submitted at least 120 days in advance.
To apply, you’ll need to submit: a copy of the owner’s ID (or passport if not a Taiwan resident), the vaccination certificate signed by your vet, and the titer test report from the designated lab. Owners can apply online directly through APHIA’s portal, which keeps costs down. If you’d prefer to use a Taiwan import agent, Global Tails can introduce one and coordinate with them on your behalf.
Step 6 — Health Certificate and USDA Endorsement
The health certificate must use Taiwan’s APHIS-specific form. Standard state-issued forms are not accepted — this is a common documentation error that can cause the shipment to be turned back. Your USDA-accredited vet will complete the Taiwan-specific form at the health exam.
A note on the endorsement process: Taiwan requires USDA to physically ink-sign and emboss the health certificate — it cannot be processed fully electronically. The endorsed original must accompany your pet during travel.
Allow 3–5 business days for USDA-APHIS processing. APHIS operates Monday–Friday, 7am– 4:30pm CT, excluding federal holidays.
Step 7 — Arrival and Post-Entry Quarantine
On arrival at the port of entry, your pet will be inspected. The following documents must be present:
• Photocopy of the import quarantine permit
• Original veterinary certificate
• Photocopy of the airway bill
• Original titer test report
After inspection, whether your pet needs to quarantine depends on the timing of the titer test and the permit application (see Quarantine Conditions below). If quarantine applies, your pet will spend 7 days at a designated APHIA facility, where blood will be re-tested. Quarantine fees are paid directly to the facility and are not included in our quote.
Quarantine Conditions
The timing of the titer test and the permit application together determine whether post-entry quarantine applies.
7-day quarantine required when: - Titer test was administered more than 90 days (but less than 180 days) before the departure date, and - Import permit was applied for more than 20 days (but less than 120 days) before the departure date
Quarantine can be waived when: - Titer test was administered more than 180 days before the departure date, and - Import permit was applied for more than 120 days before the departure date
Once we take on your case, we’ll review your pet’s vaccination and titer records to determine which path applies — and whether the quarantine can be avoided.
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What Documents Travel With Your Pet
APHIA Import Quarantine Permit (photocopy)
USDA-endorsed health certificate — Taiwan-specific APHIS form only (original, physically ink-signed and embossed)
Rabies vaccination certificate
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Titer test report from APHIA-designated lab (original)
Airway Bill (AWB) — photocopy
Common Questions
At least 5 months before travel for the standard path with 7-day quarantine. The blood draw for the titer test usually sets the calendar — once blood is drawn, your earliest possible entry date is 90 days later, and lab processing, permit timing, and health certificate preparation all add buffer on top of that. For the quarantine waiver path, plan on 7 months.
It depends on the timing of the titer test and the permit application. If the titer was administered more than 180 days before departure and the permit was filed more than 120 days in advance, quarantine can be waived. If those thresholds aren’t met, 7 days at a designated APHIA facility applies. After we take on your case, we’ll review your pet’s records and confirm whether quarantine can be avoided.
Yes. Multiple pets can travel on a single import permit. Each animal’s individual vaccination certificate and titer test result must be submitted as part of the application, so documentation for each pet needs to be complete and within the valid windows.
The import of Pit Bull Terriers is banned by Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture. If your dog is a Pit Bull or a related breed, contact us before making travel plans.
APHIA has specific import considerations for Bengal cats (referred to as “leopard cats” in Taiwan’s regulations). If you’re importing a Bengal cat, contact us before booking — additional requirements may apply.
Quarantine fees vary by facility and are settled directly with the quarantine facility before the end of the quarantine period. These are not included in our quote. The quarantine space reservation is applied for at the same time as the import permit — owners can do this directly, or if you prefer, Global Tails can connect you with a Taiwan import agent who can handle the reservation and the import permit application, and provide a separate quote for their services.
We guide you through the full process — titer test scheduling, permit application, health certificate coordination, USDA endorsement, and cargo booking. 4 Vaccination appointments and the blood draw happen at your local vet; we tell you exactly what to ask for and when. Post-entry quarantine is handled by APHIA at the receiving end — we coordinate with a receiving agent at TPE to make sure the arrival goes smoothly.
A Note on Timing
The titer test is what drives the Taiwan timeline. We recommend waiting at least 21 days after the primary rabies vaccination before drawing blood to give the vaccine time to produce a passing antibody response. From there, the blood draw must happen at least 90 days before departure, and the result is valid for up to one year. That puts the practical window at roughly 3–9 months before travel — earlier draws give more time for the waiver pathway; draws in the 90–180 day range will result in quarantine. Lab processing takes 4–6 weeks, so build that into scheduling when you set the blood draw date.
The other item to plan around is the physical USDA endorsement. Taiwan requires an ink signature and embossed seal — the certificate cannot be processed fully electronically. That coordination with your USDA-APHIS district office needs to be built into your pre-departure timeline alongside the standard processing window.
Ready to Get Started?
Taiwan is one of the more document-intensive destinations we work with, but the process is well-defined. The best first step is a conversation.
Requirements sourced from Taiwan’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA), aphia.gov.tw, and the APHIA Process for Importation of Dogs/Cats into Taiwan (July 2025). Last verified: July 2026. Requirements can change without notice — we verify current conditions for every case before proceeding.