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

[mooku]

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.

[Maceck]

Regarding microchip certificate, I never got one, or have seen any requirement for one.

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!

[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.

[ncaraway]

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.

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?

[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.

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?

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 Sorry I couldn't help you out.

[shawn_c]

It seems to me that Taiwan has just copied the procedures from Japan, and the Japanese website is really clear as to the procedures, and has awesome cartoons as well: http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/import-other.html

For example, why the #$%&@ do our pets have to wait 180 days after the blood test before being allowed into the country?

A:Antibody levels are measured in order to confirm whether or not the animal has developed immunity to rabies. The reason for the wait is to make sure that the animal has not contracted rabies prior to developing immunity to it as a result of immunization. 180 days corresponds to the incubation period for the disease.

***** ***** *****
Locally, in Vancouver, there is also this company which does the entire process for your pet: http://animaltravel.com/

[Ladybird]

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?

From what I remember, if you arrive in Taipei, your pet must be quarantined there. If you arrive in Kaohsiung, your pet must be quarantined in Pingdong. When I brought my cat over from Canada in 2003, she stayed in quarantine in Pingdong, near the University. The room was huge and it was airconditioned. She was well cared for as far as I could see. She looked ok and was in good spirits when I picked her up 21 days after her arrival.

Locally, in Vancouver, there is also this company which does the entire process for your pet: http://animaltravel.com/

I hired this company to help me get my cat here in 2003 and they were fabulous! I couldn't have done it without them.

And I recently heard about this company that will help you import your pets to Taiwan or export them from Taiwan:
http://www.porschintl.com/
A friend has hired them to get his dog from Kaohsiung to the UK and they are going to take care of EVERYTHING, down to taking the dog to the vet for the health certificates. They do door to door service and even supply the crate so you don't have to buy one.

[shawn_c]

Does anybody know about the strictness on "inactive vaccine"?

Reading this info: http://www.baphiq.gov.tw/public/Attachm ... 014571.pdf

It keeps mentioning inactive vaccine: i.e. "date of vaccination against rabies with inactive vaccine."

My vet said that only dogs get killed vaccines, whereas cats get a modified-live vaccines. I am trying to import my cat, so are the Taiwanese authorities going to deny me, if my vet certificate says "modified live," rather than "killed vaccine"? Or, are they both considered inactive vaccines?

[ncaraway]

The way things look now, we'll be arriving at Kaohsiung airport around 10pm on a weeknight. Assuming the flight arrives on time, that means we won't even be able to collect our cat until almost 11pm. What happens then? Will they demand to keep her (and us) in the airport until morning?

We considered flying in to Taipei but since we'll be living in the south and have family near Kaohsiung, it seemed the most reasonable for dealing with quarantine.

Another question, which hopefully someone will be able to chime in on: there are no direct flights from our current home near Washington, DC. We're probably going to have to fly United to JFK in New York, then fly out from there (probably on JAL). (JAL's partner, American Airlines, wont accept our breed, which is why we have to do the work-around.) If we allow for enough time to collect her between flights we should be OK, right?

[Ladybird]

The way things look now, we'll be arriving at Kaohsiung airport around 10pm on a weeknight. Assuming the flight arrives on time, that means we won't even be able to collect our cat until almost 11pm. What happens then? Will they demand to keep her (and us) in the airport until morning?

Yes, your cat will have to stay at the airport for the night. Make sure you are not landing on a Friday night or your cat will have to spend the entire weekend at the airport.

Another question, which hopefully someone will be able to chime in on: there are no direct flights from our current home near Washington, DC. We're probably going to have to fly United to JFK in New York, then fly out from there (probably on JAL). (JAL's partner, American Airlines, wont accept our breed, which is why we have to do the work-around.) If we allow for enough time to collect her between flights we should be OK, right?

You can probably take the cat in the cabin with you on a United flight so don't worry about that.
Don't forget: If you have a stop in Japan or anywhere else along the way, you may need to apply for a transit permit for your cat.