Bringing Dogs and Cats to Taiwan: 2024 Update

Bringing Your Dog or Cat to Taiwan from the United States: 2024 Update with Quarantine Exemption Options

Are you planning to relocate to Taiwan and bring your furry companion? Or perhaps you're visiting Taiwan for an extended stay and can't imagine leaving your pet behind. The good news is that bringing your dog or cat to Taiwan is possible, but there are specific requirements and procedures. This blog post provides a detailed guide for US pet owners in 2024, including the recently introduced option to exempt your pet from quarantine upon arrival.

Important Note: This blog post focuses on the import regulations for pets coming from the United States. Requirements for other countries may differ.

Traditional Import Process with Mandatory Quarantine

Before the 2024 update, all pets entering Taiwan underwent mandatory quarantine. This process applies to pets that don't meet the new exemption criteria. Here's a breakdown of the traditional import process:

• Microchip: Every pet must be implanted with a microchip compliant with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785. Taiwan also accepts AVID 9 and AVID 10 microchips. This should be done before any vaccinations are administered.
• Rabies Vaccination: Your pet needs an inactivated rabies vaccination at least 180 days before departure.
  • Primary vaccination (for pets at least 90 days old) requires a waiting period of no less than 180 days and no more than one year between vaccination and shipment.
  • Booster vaccination requires vaccination no more than one year before shipment.
• Blood Test: Your pet must undergo a Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titer Test (RNATT) to confirm rabies immunity no less than 180 days and no more than one year before departure. A designated laboratory must conduct the test.
• Veterinary Certificate: Within 10 days of departure, obtain a veterinary certificate for your pet's export to Taiwan from your veterinarian in the US. This certificate needs approval by the USDA.
• Quarantine: Upon arrival in Taiwan, pets that don't meet the exemption criteria will be quarantined at an Animal Quarantine Station for up to 180 days.

2024 Update: Quarantine Exemption for US Pets

Great news for US pet owners! As of 2024, Taiwan offers a quarantine exemption program for dogs and cats coming from the United States, provided they meet specific criteria:

• Blood Draw: Thirty days after the rabies vaccination, a blood sample must be drawn from your pet.
• RNATT Report: The Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titer Test (RNATT) report resulting from the blood draw must be at least 180 days before importing your pet to Taiwan.
• RNATTD (Request for No Antecedent Rabies Treatment Declaration): This document needs to be completed before applying for an import permit.
• Import Permit Application: You must submit an import permit application to the Taiwanese authorities at least 30 days before your desired arrival date in Taiwan.

Required Documents for Quarantine Exemption:

• Rabies Vaccination Certificate (written in English)
• Vaccination records
• RNATT report (at least 180 days old)
• RNATTD
• Veterinary Certificate (issued by a US veterinarian and approved by USDA)

Timeline for Entry - Quarantine Exemption

• At Least 210 Days Before Arrival:
  • Microchip implantation (before rabies vaccination)
• At Least 180 Days Before Arrival:
  • Rabies vaccination
  • RNATT blood test
• At Least 30 Days Before Arrival:
  • Apply for import permit (submit Rabies Vaccination Certificate, vaccination records, RNATT report, and RNATTD)
• At Least 3 to 10 Days Before Arrival:
  • Obtain a Veterinary Certificate from your US veterinarian

Additional Considerations

• While not mandatory for quarantine exemption, we strongly recommend additional vaccinations and parasite treatments for your pet's health and safety.
• Ensure all documents have consistent microchip numbers to avoid delays upon arrival.
• Carefully follow the recommended timeline to avoid issues with processing your pet's entry.

Bringing your pet to Taiwan requires careful planning and adherence to specific regulations. This blog post provides a comprehensive guide for US pet owners in 2024, outlining both the traditional import process with mandatory quarantine and the newly introduced option for quarantine exemption. By following these guidelines and timelines, you can ensure a smooth transition for your furry friend to their new home in Taiwan.