Importing Pets into Taiwan (Paperwork, Quarantine, etc.)

Sorry everyone.

I placed this post under the wrong topic.

Oh god. I don’t know why I ever had the hubris to presume I can write a guide to getting pets into Taiwan. I have run into so much trouble and done things wrong so many times.

They are exacting, people. They are exacting bureaucratic monkies, those quarentine people.

They “reminded” me upon issuing the import permit that, in addition to all the documents I used to obtain the import permit, I also needed a health certificate issued by the USDA. This left me a week to get this done. My vet’s assistance mailed the permit to the wrong address, so I ended up having to drive 2 hours to get the certificate stamped in person.

Some six sense told me I should scan the docs over to the quarentine people to see if everything is correct. Sure enough…something was wrong. My vet have neglected to indicate that my dog is female on the certificate, thus engendering the whole thing void. But…but…but…I asked the woman on the phone…isn’t it enough that my pet is identified by her unique microchip number? No, she patiently explained. It’s all there in the instructions that came along with my import permit. Haven’t I read it? The age, sex, breed AND chip number has all got to be on the form itself.

So now I have a 4 hour round trip drive to the USDA office (plus probably another 76 dollars poorer in fees) because my vet forgot to put “F” on the certificate. (Yes, yes. My fault. I didn’t double check).

I hate bureaucracy. I hate it with a passion. I can’t blame anyone but myself for being non-detail-orientated and sloppy though.

I understand that it is not possible for a dog to come from PRC to ROC. I’d like to be wrong. :frowning:

bump

I am arriving via CKS and will be living in Hsinchu. Which quarantine facility should I request? Is it true the Taichung facility is superior?

Can anyone recommend an excellent veterinarian (preferably in the Hsinchu area)? By excellent, I mean outstanding credentials, 7+ years of experience, dedicated to animal welfare (including demonstrated commitment to rescuing and rehabilitating animals) and praised by her/his clients.

Thank you!!

Probably nothing new to add, and I’m not claiming to provide all the answers, but you can see my 2 cents here: http://taipeiguide.blogspot.com/2007/12/pet-import-to-taiwan.html

The last of this information is from 2007. Can someone update this for me? I want to bring my son’s cat, Sissy, with us when we return, if at all possible. Thanks for any help or advice.

Some updates to this thread from a recent dog imported from California

Most of what has been said here is still true. Please read all previous posts before this one because I am just trying to give a recent account of this process, not a complete guide.

IF YOU ARE IMPORTING YOUR DOG FROM THE USA: :America:

First things first. It has been said many times: THIS PROCESS SUCKS!

Here’s my pep talk:

-Taiwan really doesn’t care about your dog moving here. This island already has too many dogs as it is. During the course of this process you will likely not encounter t anyone offering even the slightest sliver of compassion for the emotional, financial, and physical hardships you will endure during this long and arduous journey. We, the people who chose to import our dogs, are clearly ‘in love’ with our animals; the people you will be handing ‘Fido’ over too (quarantine) will likely not fill your heart with good graces when that day comes. Just be prepared, because I wasn’t.
When you sit back and think about what you’re actually doing: You will be moving your dog halfway around the world! In just one day your pet will experience a very long and scary plane ride followed immediately by quarentine in a cage and essentially abandoned in a foreign kennel filled with foreign smells. Never mind your dog, this process is extremely emotional for the owner, but just keep in mind that many people have gone through this before you, and dozens are currently going through it right now. The reality is that your dog will be just fine. He/She is a lot tougher than you think, and will be kept healthy and safe at the vet school quarantine. It is true that they will be in a cage by themselves with little exercise and stimulation for 3 weeks, but they will forgive you very quickly once the process is over. Importing your dog will likely cost you thousands and thousands of USD, but if you are like me, money is no object when it comes to your best friend :slight_smile:
-ALSO REMEMBER: No matter how much forum reading you do or how well prepared you think you are, the quarantine office will almost certainly find something wrong with your documents, so just pray it is of the easily fixable kind! A trip to the Temple might be in order!

I digress.
I went through this process without the help of a Pet Import Agent or anybody in the pet business here in Taiwan. I moved to Taipei back in April, and I left my dog with a friend in Los Angeles. I applied for the Animal Import Permit in November (this was the easy part), then I flew back and picked up my dog and brought him with me via EVA Airlines in December (this was the hard part). This process should be viewed as 4 parts: Pet Import Permit Application, USDA health check documentation, quarantine desk at TPE, and drop-off/final release from quarantine. It is really all about having your documents in order and always available, I can’t stress that enough. This is how I did it:


Documents you will need to get the Animal Import Permit:

  1. Microchip Implant Verification. This is the certificate issued by the vet when your dog was implanted. (only a digital copy is needed for this step)
    note: ALL DOCUMENTS MUST HAVE THIS MICROCHIP NUMBER ON THEM, DO NOT THINK THIS CAN/WILL BE OVERLOOKED BY THE QUARANTINE OFFICE. Also note that some posts from years ago mention you will need to supply 6 different body photographs of your dog prior to import? This is not necessary anymore. The microchip certifies that the dog is who you said it is.
  2. Rabies vaccination certificate. If this vaccination was given before the microchip implant, guess what? You’re out of luck. The rabies vaccination (original or booster) must have come after the chip implantation. (only a digital copy is needed for this step)
    note: If the rabies vaccination is a 3 year booster (i.e. not the original rabies vaccination given as a puppy) the vet certificate must have the word ‘Booster’ on the document. Every vet in the world knows what a ‘3 year killed virus’ rabies shot is, but I’m telling you, there is NO LEEWAY with the quarantine office. My vaccination didn’t say the word ‘Booster’ on it and they forced me to have my vet fax over a letter confirming the vaccination was a booster. This is an example of the bureaucratic rubbish you might run into. Be patient; give them exactly what they ask for. If you do end up having transactions like this that take places, get a copy of any and all documents for your records (faxes or emails)
  3. Rabies Titer. Completed 6 months prior to import into Taiwan (note: 6 months from the stated day of analysis). The test must have been done by the Kansas State University Rabies Lab, and obviously the result must pass. Again, make sure the microchip number is present and accurate. (only a digital copy is needed for this step)
  4. Fill out the ANIMAL IMPORT application form. If you have any questions about what to write, call them and they will answer your questions. At the time that your application is approved they will mail you the permit and also make an appointment at the quarantine location your dog will be staying at. The permit will give you an 8 day window in which your dog must arrive (this window will be in the time frame that you tell them your dog will arrive). This is done so that if your arrival flight is delayed or something else comes up you have a window of time to arrive with your dog.
    note: It is wise to start this process >45 days prior to arrival. I APPLIED IN EARLY NOVEMBER FOR A LATE DECEMBER ARRIVAL AND THE NTU QUARANTINE WAS FULL. As a result my pooch got locked up at the next closest quarantine location which is at the vet school down in Taichung.
  5. SOME GOOD NEWS! you only have to fax or email the documents for this import application process. DO NOT SEND THE ORIGINALS!!! The originals will be needed back in the USA prior to export and then again at TPE when you arrive in Taiwan with your dog.


VERY IMPORTANT STEP!: export health check documents.

I will keep this simple: 2 steps
Step 1) Get a USDA approved Vet to issue a travel health certificate. Go to the USDA website to make sure the veterinarian you choose to use is a current USDA approved vet for issuing health certificates. I would first, ask your vet if they are certified USDA, then call the USDA office and make sure they’re on the approved list. This would be a good time to confirm exactly what health check form needs to be filled out. The USDA veterinarian told me that starting Jan. 1st 2011 the health check form I possessed would no longer be valid and a newer updated form was being implemented. A phone call can save you mega time, money and head/heartache.
Step 2) You will need to have all your export documents approved and stamped/sealed by a USDA veterinarian. This is done at a USDA office; it will also cost you $114USD! (Check or credit card only) Fortunately the USDA has satellite offices set up around the major USA airports for the purpose of approving exported animals and plants (your vet probably has their phone number). You will need to make an appointment (I did it with one days notice) and bring with you the health check from your USDA approved veterinarian (dated <10 days prior to arrival in Taiwan) plus all of the ORIGINAL documents you submitted for the Taiwan Animal Import Permit (rabies titer, rabies vaccination, microchip certificate, any document you submitted to get the Permit, this includes emails/faxes your vet may have sent to verify certain documents.)
This step will bring you piece of mind because the USDA vet will have double checked to make sure that the exporting documents all have the right information on them. This is their job, so I guess you pay $114 bucks for something!
Documents you will need to get on the airplane:
The Airline will ABSOLUTELY have to see these documents. The airline is legally responsible for making their best effort to establish that any animal boarding their plane bound for Taiwan has the proper documents needed for importation.

  1. Taiwan Animal Import Permit (original)
  2. USDA stamped documents: health check, rabies titer, rabies vaccination, microchip certificate


Documents you will need at the quarantine desk at TPE:

I arrived at 7am and there was a woman at the animal and plant quarantine desk (located right next to one of the baggage claims). They said no one would be there until 9am on weekdays so I’m not sure why she was there, but she was, and she checked me in. At 9:00am the quarantine escort arrived to accompany me and my dog to the quarantine location. I had to supply the car to drive me, my dog (in his now locked and secured cage), and the escort down to the Taichung quarantine facility (I did not need to drive the escort back to the airport) There are no doggie bathrooms at the airport (like in LA) so if your dog only goes on grass like mine they’re not going to see any for at least 3 weeks. Remember to give your dog water! I was able to run up and down the baggage claim carousels with him to get some exercise while I waited.
Documents:

  1. Taiwan Animal Import Permit (original)
  2. USDA stamped documents: health check, rabies titer, rabies vaccination, microchip certificate
  3. You will have to pay the Bank of Taiwan $500NT. I was so tired I don’t remember why? Don’t worry, they will walk you over to the airport bank where you WILL pay!
  4. JUBILATION! If the quarantine desk has approved your documents and you pay your $500NT then you have successfully imported your dog! Now on to quarantine!


Drop-Off/Pick-Up from the quarantine location:

My dog was at the Taichung quarantine. When I arrived I was in the worst mood, try not to be too upset. You will have just flown 8,000 miles, you and your dog are jet lagged and now you have to get in a car and drive 170km down to Taichung where you are about to hand over your precious pup to strangers who, as I have mentioned earlier, don’t really seem to care how tired or emotionally unstable you are. Taichung has a quarantine house that is one story and it is annexed to the vet school. There is a vet on duty; he will probably remind you of Chairman Mao’s long lost brother. You will be so ashamed of yourself for putting your dog through all this that you won’t even be able to look at them. It will be tough, remember everyone has to do it.
I didn’t fill out any paperwork once I was there. Maybe they had me sign something, I don’t remember. They have visiting hours every weekday 2:30 – 3:30pm. No appointment necessary and no limit on visitations. The food is supplied, it is a good brand. You CAN leave your dog’s food with them as well as treats and toys/beds/blankets. No collars allowed but you can put jackets/shirts on the animals. They do wash things as they become dirty or soiled, and the kennel staff is very diligent and care about the pets. There was 2 kennel staffers, they where older man and woman, not vet students. The vet might ask you questions about flea/tick treatment previously applied. They will probably apply an ADVANTIX topical while your dog is there. It is important that you give the vet any and all information you think they might need to take the best care of your dog. The cages are indoors and they have electric heaters for the winter and I’ve seen big fans sitting around, didn’t look like any A/C but it’s December so I didn’t ask.

You will need to pay the cashier $10,000NT (don’t lose this receipt!) when you drop off, and $9150 NT when you pick up. Not a cheap stay. The small dogs stay in smaller dog cages, the bigger dogs stay in bigger dog cages. The cats stay in the medium sized cat cages. Overall, I would say appropriate sized cages for the animals. There is a 15’ x 15’ visiting/play area for each ‘ward’ and you can bath your dog if you want.
Check with the vet on duty periodically to make sure your pooch is on schedule for a 21 day release. Call the quarantine office one time early on to double check that they are satisfied with all the paperwork you have submitted (they will tell you at TPE if there is a problem you need to resolve). If you do have to get a document straightened out, they will start the 21 day quarantine immediately, they don’t wait for you to correct the problem before starting the clock or something cruel like that!
2 days prior to your dog’s release, the vet at the quarantine will contact the Animal Import headquarters (this office is in Taoyuan County and not at TPE or any quarantine facility) to confirm that all is good and Fido can go home with you!
Once released, there is no further vet checkups or anything like that. Your dog will be free! :taz:

Taichung Quarentine:

large dog cage:

small dog / cat cages


heaters

map

Your photo shows an air conditioner above the door so I think ‘yes, they have it’ is the answer to the A/C confusion.

Like I have said so many times and as every Vet. I have ever talked to abiut this Taiwan quarantine, It is nothing but a money grab by the Taiwanese government. Their is no proof or back up that proves the quarantine is necessary if you have your rabies shot, your rabies booster paperwork, and your blood test. The blood test proves your dog does not have rabies and that he has had his shots and is full of antibodies. The 21 day quarantine is nothing more than a way for imported dogs to put money in the Vet. school. I would just as soon as donate to the Vet school the 10,000=20,000 fee’s and take your pet home.

Just think, in the history of these quarantine’s how many dogs, or cats have ever come down with rabies while in the 21 day quarantine period? Answer is “0”.

This is true. The statistical probability of a vaccinated dog contracting rabies is small enough, taking it one step further, that dog contracting rabies immediately before import to Taiwan? The quarantine for rabies is a huge load of shite, and making money is definitely being had. The UK finally adopted the PETS program to allow for quarantine-less pet travel because the residents there wanted to travel to Europe and America with their pets and it became clear that rabies is not as big of a concern as it used to be. The requirements to get your dog or cat certified for PETS is about the same for getting your dog/cat imported to Taiwan!

I don’t have as much of a problem with the 21 day quarantine as I do with the 6 month waiting period after the rabies titer. This requirement is the most asinine of them all. If your dog has been vaccinated and the antibody level is high, then your dog is vaccinated! They make you wait 6 months (often meaning you leave Fido behind with family or friends) for no reason at all. They most certainly don’t retest your dog here, and for that matter, if they did, all they would do is re-vaccinate if the antibody level came back too low. This, in and of itself, is pointless because this is a rabies free island, if the dog gets here and doesn’t have rabies…then what the hell is the worry about rabies vaccination for!

I don’t see Taiwan loosening their stance on quarantine any time soon. The requirements for this import/export process come from the French run World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). When you consider France’s love of irritating everyone in the world and Taiwan’s love of regulations and protocols, this gravy train is going to continue for a long time to come! :wall: In a slight defense of this process, Asia is the hotbed for rabies in the world, especially in India and China, so If you start to allow pets to go in and out of the country too easily, the next thing you know rabies or some other bad disease sneaks through customs. The quarantine is technically for rabies, but they are observing all the health aspects of your pet to make sure it is in fact a healthy animal.

Hey Maceck,

I for one can say that I really appreciate you taking the time to write this and post it on Forumosa; I’m sure it will be useful to many people, like…say…myself. HaHa!

I have four questions.

#1 You mention that you need a ‘Microchip Implant Verification’ from the vet who did it. My dogs were chipped in Taiwan. I’m wondering if you, or anyone else, knows what the Taiwan certificate looks like? Is it a little one page orange booklet? I have a feeling that’s it but I can’t be sure because it’s all written in Chinese.

#2 For several of the steps you mention that you only need a ‘digital copy’. This may sound like the dumbest question ever, but what is a ‘digital copy’? Like for the ‘Implant Verification Certificate’ and the ‘Rabies Vaccination Certificate’; I only have the paper copies they gave me at the vet. Is that what you mean? Is that a digital copy? Are the original paper copies the vet gave me ok?

#3 My dogs had their rabies shots in the summer of 2010, but they didn’t get a booster. I’m wondering when I should get them their boosters? I’m pretty much ready to get the titer now, and I’m just trying to figure out if I should get the booster before the titer, or after, or it doesn’t matter?

#4 My final question is about the 45 day period before the date of export. You mention that you came to Taiwan before the 180 days was complete and then went back later to pick up you dog. That will likely be my situation as well, and I’m wondering how that works? I know you have to submit your documents at least 30 days before departure, and I’m just wondering if you brought them with you to Taiwan and submitted them from there or if you went back to the States for 45 days or how you handled that? Also, I know you have to go to a USDA certified vet to have them authorize all the documents. When do you have to do that? Did you do that before you first came to Taiwan or when you returned to pick up your dog?

Once again, I really appreciate you posting this and helping everyone out. I find all this stuff super confusing. I just want to make sure I do everything right. Anyhow, thanks in advance if you’re able to help me clear some of this up.

SJD

hello SJD, I’m glad my post is being found useful, I’ll try to answer your questions here:

[quote=“SJD”]
#1 You mention that you need a ‘Microchip Implant Verification’ from the vet who did it. My dogs were chipped in Taiwan. I’m wondering if you, or anyone else, knows what the Taiwan certificate looks like? Is it a little one page orange booklet? I have a feeling that’s it but I can’t be sure because it’s all written in Chinese.[/quote]

The Microchip Verification that I refer to is simply a one page print-out that my vet issued when I got my dog microchipped. It is printed on my vet’s letterhead and simply states that my dog received a microchip on said date, it has the microchip number, and it is signed by him (my vet). It is not a document supplied by the microchip manufacturer or anything like that. I’m not sure about your orange booklet, but if it has the microchip number on/in it and a date of implementation it might be all you need (also will help if it says who the vet was that did it and his/her signiture). If you are in Taiwan now, and the vet that implanted the microchip is still around, you can always try to get the document reproduced. Remember, the application process is free, and the animal Import folks will be the ones to tell you that your documents are good or no good. If you think you might have the right document, submit it, and see if it flies. As long as you leave yourself enough time to correct any problems everything should be fine.

I really don’t know what will happen if you can’t prove the date of microchip implementation? I suggest you submit what you have and see if they accept it. If you call and ask you are likely to get a generic answer over the phone ‘you must submit your microchip implant verification’.… :grrr: It’s hard to ‘head things off’ in this process, just submit and see what happens. again, if your orange booklet has the microchip number and the date of implementation, than that sounds pretty good.

All I mean by ‘digital copy’ is a scanned copy of the original documents. Do not mail them the originals for the permit application because you will need these during the actual import (i.e. for the USDA vet, for the airline, and for the quarantine desk at TPE). Submitting the application for an animal import permit is very simple: Fill out the application form, make a scanned copy of this and your rabies titer, rabies vaccination and microchip verification, and then e-mail it to them. No snail mail, no fax machines (although fax is an option if you like that better). This is all I meant by ‘digital copy’.

The original vacination is for 1 year, and the booster shots generally last 3 years. I am not a vet, but if your dogs had their boosters 6 months ago, you should be fine for the titer. I say this because every dog is different, and the reason they test for the antibody is to see that your dog reacted ‘normally’ to the vacination. Again, I am not a vet, but getting the booster only 6 months after the original vaccination probably isn’t recommended. If your dogs are normal, than they should have the proper antibody level built up in their blood and hence are ready for the titer. I would recommend doing the test soon, because if the result comes back low, then you WILL need to re-vaccinate (the booster), wait one month, and retest for the rabies titer.

Good question. I applied for, and received, the import permit while in Taiwan, I then flew back to California (with the permit and all of my original documents), picked up my dog, and flew back, all within a 3 day stretch! The copies you need for the Animal Import Permit Application should all have been scanned (digital) copies. So technically, the hard copies (the rabies titer, the rabies vaccination, and the microchip verification) won’t need to be in your possession until you visit the USDA vet back in America(I will answer that in a moment). I said 45 days because others before me recommended filling out the application early to make sure all the documents are copacetic and you get a space in the NTU quarentine location (something i did not get!). Technically you only need to apply for the permit early enough to allow them to mail it to you. 30 days is recommended, but the earlier the better.

The visit to the USDA vet needs to be within 10 calender days of the import of your pet into Taiwan (remember you lose a whole day when you fly to Taiwan). The USDA offices are not open on the weekends, and most of the satalite airport offices have had their hours cut and are only open a few days a week. You will get the travel health certificate from your personal vet (USDA approved of course), and then take that travel document (along with the rabies titer, rabies vaccination, microchip verification) to the USDA vet. The travel document must be dated within 10 days prior to import into Taiwan.

I hope this helps. I carried every document I had and then some throughout the actual import. This is the most stressful time, because the plane ticket is purchased, and time is no longer on your side.

good luck and don’t hesitate to update this thread if you have something to add one the process is complete.

Thanks Maceck. I’ll let you know how it goes, and if anyone else knows what the official microchip certificate looks like in Taiwan, I’d be grateful.

I brought my dog over in late november 2010, it was quiet a process but overall went very smoothly and I’m very glad I brought my dog, my life would not be the same without her. I can answer any questions you might have about the process, it seems I did things a little differently than Maceck.

Regarding microchip certificate, I never got one, or have seen any requirement for one. I had my dog microchipped at the vet in the US, and vaccinated. I had the same vet draw her blood and send it to get titre tested by kansas state (from the list of approved places on the TW quarantine website). The important thing is that the microchip number is on every piece of paperwork you have with your dog. So Vaccination Certificate, Titre blood test results, Import Permit Application etc.

My dog was quarantined at NTU, so I think I took your dog’s spot Maceck, sorry. It was indeed really full, the regular 3 visits a week were cut to twice a week.

It looks like this is the case. I’m not sure why I was so insistent on needing the microchip verification? The Animal Import Permit Application does not ask for it.

problem solved!

I’m bringing my cat into Taiwan from Korea. I’m having some difficulty finding up-to date information.

I saw at the beginning of the thread that animals coming in through Kaohsiung will have more room, and so I’ve arranged to arrive there. Does anyone know if that is true?

Also, what paperwork do I need? I keep seeing different lists with different requirements.

[quote=“kbaileyoakes”]I’m bringing my cat into Taiwan from Korea. I’m having some difficulty finding up-to date information.

I saw at the beginning of the thread that animals coming in through Kaohsiung will have more room, and so I’ve arranged to arrive there. Does anyone know if that is true?

Also, what paperwork do I need? I keep seeing different lists with different requirements.[/quote]

Did you get an answer to your question about Kaohsiung? My wife and I plan to bring our cat from the US later this year. We’ll be living in the south (Gangshan, Tainan, Pingtung) so south is more convenient. However, flying in to KHH (US --> NRT --> KHH) isn’t so convenient. Any tips?

[quote=“ncaraway”][quote=“kbaileyoakes”]I’m bringing my cat into Taiwan from Korea. I’m having some difficulty finding up-to date information.

I saw at the beginning of the thread that animals coming in through Kaohsiung will have more room, and so I’ve arranged to arrive there. Does anyone know if that is true?

Also, what paperwork do I need? I keep seeing different lists with different requirements.[/quote]

Did you get an answer to your question about Kaohsiung? My wife and I plan to bring our cat from the US later this year. We’ll be living in the south (Gangshan, Tainan, Pingdong) so south is more convenient. However, flying in to KHH (US --> NRT --> KHH) isn’t so convenient. Any tips?[/quote]

We ended up deciding it was better for him not to be quarantined for three weeks. We give the little guy to a friend tomorrow :frowning: Sorry I couldn’t help you out.