Pet relocation cost to China from Vietnam starts at about $1,200 for a cat flying with its owner, plus the airline’s pet fee. That figure, from Daisy Pet’s 2026 quote, covers the Vietnam-side work: export documents, the titer test, the China paperwork and the service fee. Pets sent as manifest cargo are quoted case by case, because the crate size sets the freight.
Short Answer: How Much Does It Cost to Move a Pet to China?
- Cat flying with you: about $1,200 for the Vietnam-side work, plus the airline’s pet fee.
- Largest single item: the rabies titer test, about $550.
- Airline pet fee: from USD 200 as checked baggage on Vietnam Airlines.
- Manifest cargo: depends on the crate size. Short regional routes cost $500–1,200 in freight for a medium crate.
- Not included: fees at the Chinese airport, and quarantine if the paperwork fails.
The step-by-step plan behind these costs is in our China pet shipping timeline.
What Do You Pay Before the Flight?
These costs come first, during the 2–3 months of preparation. Prices are per pet, in USD, from Daisy Pet’s 2026 quotes.
| Item | Cost (USD) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Microchip | $25–$50 | ISO 11784/11785 chip with 15 digits |
| Rabies vaccinations | Billed by the vet clinic | At least two doses; inactivated or recombinant vaccine only |
| Rabies titer test | about $550 | Blood sample, courier abroad and fee of a laboratory on the GACC list |
| Parasite certificate | $20–$50 | Internal and external parasite treatment, recorded on a certificate |
| Export health certificate and documents | $225–$350 | Health certificate from Vietnam’s Department of Animal Health (DAH) and document preparation |
| Service fee | $100–$500 | Planning, bookings and checks of every document |
The titer test costs the most because no laboratory in Vietnam is on the list of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). The sample is sent abroad. Read how the rabies titer test works.
What Does the Flight Cost?
The flight cost depends on how the pet travels. China’s rules do not require cargo, so a pet can fly with you if the airline accepts it.
Flying With You: Cabin or Checked Baggage
- Vietnam Airlines cabin: USD 400 per sector, for pet and carrier under 6 kg.
- Vietnam Airlines checked baggage: USD 200 up to 9 kg, USD 250 from 9 to 16 kg, USD 300 above 16 kg.
- China Southern checked baggage: RMB 1,380 up to 8 kg, RMB 2,100 from 8 to 23 kg, RMB 3,500 above 23 kg, for flights from Vietnam (China Southern pet fees).
The fee is paid to the airline at check-in, apart from Daisy Pet’s quote. The limits of each airline are compared in our guide to airlines flying pets to China.
Manifest Cargo
Daisy Pet has no 2026 cargo quote for China yet, so cargo is quoted case by case. The closest references are other short routes in our 2026 quotes:
- Freight: $500–1,200 for a 68 × 47 × 47 cm crate on a direct flight to Thailand, South Korea or Singapore.
- Air waybill, export customs and handling: about $520 per shipment.
- Larger dogs: $2,800–$3,700 in freight for dogs of 13–23 kg to South Korea.
Cargo is charged on the larger of actual weight and volume weight, so the crate size matters more than the pet’s weight.
Travel Crate
An airline-approved crate costs $100–$250 in our 2026 quotes. Larger crates cost more. See how to size an IATA-compliant pet crate.
What Do You Pay After Landing in China?
Daisy Pet’s 2026 China quote covered the Vietnam side only. Fees at the Chinese airport were not included and are paid on arrival. For a cargo shipment, a receiving agent in China quotes clearance, storage and delivery. The owner must also declare the pet as separately shipped baggage on entering China, under GACC Announcement No. 43 of 2025.
What Costs Can Appear If Something Goes Wrong?
- 30 days of quarantine: paid in full by the owner, at the fee the quarantine facility quotes, under GACC Announcement No. 5 of 2019. It applies to a pet without a valid chip or titer result.
- A new titer test: about $550, if the result expires before the flight without a booster.
- Return to Vietnam: a new flight at the owner’s expense, if a certificate is missing or defective.
- Rebooking: set by the airline if the flight date moves.
What triggers each outcome is explained in our guide to the pet inspection on arrival in China.
What Is the Total Cost by Travel Method?
| Travel method | Cat | Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Flying with you (cabin or checked baggage) | about $1,200 + airline pet fee | Depends on weight and airline |
| Manifest cargo | Quoted case by case | South Korea reference: $3,600–$5,300 |
| Usually not included | Airline pet fee, crate, rabies vaccinations if not already done, fees at the Chinese airport, quarantine if the paperwork fails | |
The South Korea reference is Daisy Pet’s 2026 cargo quotes for dogs, with the titer test and Korean import fees included. China’s figure depends on the crate, the airline and the arrival city.
FAQ: Pet Relocation Cost to China
How much does it cost to ship a cat from Vietnam to China?
About $1,200 for the Vietnam-side work in Daisy Pet’s 2026 quote, plus the airline’s pet fee. The quote covers export documents, the titer test, the China paperwork and the service fee.
What is the most expensive part of moving a pet to China?
For a pet flying with its owner, the rabies titer test, at about $550. For a pet sent as manifest cargo, freight and export handling usually cost more.
Does China charge a fee for pet quarantine?
Yes. The owner pays the full fee, quoted by the quarantine facility. GACC does not publish a national fee.
Is it cheaper for my pet to fly with me than as cargo?
Usually yes. Checked baggage on Vietnam Airlines costs USD 200–300, while cargo adds freight and about $520 in handling.
Are fees at the Chinese airport included in the quote?
No. Daisy Pet’s 2026 China quote covered the Vietnam side only. Fees at the Chinese airport are paid on arrival.
Last updated 16 Oct 2026
Compiled by our specialists from the regulations in force on the date above, for reference only. Rules may change after this date. Please verify with the competent authorities or contact us for the most accurate information.
Official sources cited in this guide
- China Southern pet feescsair.com
- GACC Announcement No. 43 of 2025gov.cn
