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[mtm]

I'm already in Shanghai, but when I move to Hefei this summer, I really would like to bring my dog from Atlanta.  I hear pets and Chinese customs officials can be a nightmare.  I certainly don't want to put her in harm's way if that's the case.  Has anyone gone through this with their expat dog?

[Aussie Mike]

I had some problems when I don't shave.   but I carry a fake vaccination certificate now.

Here are a couple of extracts from
http://www.scaashanghai.org/china_pet_import_procedure.shtml

General Pet Import Regulations

Pet cats and dogs are allowed to be imported into Shanghai by either excess baggage or cargo as long as there is proof of vaccination and good health. Rabbits, ferrets, snakes, rodents, fish and birds are not allowed to be imported into Shanghai. According to regulations, you need to carry a Z (Resident) Visa to bring in your pet and only one pet per Z Visa holder (two animals two names). A pet relocation company should be able to have this requirement waived. Cats do not require licensing in Shanghai, but dogs have to be registered with the Chinese authorities after arrival and require a yearly license fee of RMB 2,000 in the city center and RMB 1,000 outside the Inner Ring Road.

Shanghai Quarantine

Please note that there is a 7-day mandatory quarantine regulation in Shanghai (if the animal is approved as healthy after seven days, home quarantine may be allowed for the remaining 23 days of total one month quarantine). There is no quarantine in Shanghai if there is transit via Hong Kong or Guangzhou (if via Hong Kong, the pet will be transported across border to Shenzhen or Guangzhou airport). There is usually a 3-4 hour layover while the necessary official papers are processed. Worldcare Pet Transport agents can handle this transit service, assist with arranging the transit flight to Shanghai, and after completing paperwork in Shanghai deliver our pet home the same evening.

There is also Foster a Pet in Shanghai for those who miss theirs at home.

[mtm]

Much appreciate the info!!

[mtm]

In case anyone cares, we made it!  My dog survived the trip from Atlanta and she's doing great.  If anyone wants to know about how we did what we did please email me.

[Aussie Mike]

Congratulations.

An outline of the process would be useful for the future.
Document, immunisation, quarantine, etc.

[mtm]

Yeah, good idea! 

Basically, my understanding thru this process is that you want to avoid Shanghai Customs at all costs so we went thru Guangzhou.  I hired an "agent" at 5000rmb to squish the GZ quarantine.  Yes I know that sounds pricey, but the US and HK agents want anywhere from US$4000-6000; the high end one would have gone through Shanghai.  None of the others would touch Shanghai.  So I figured there must be SOMEONE in China doing this and I found one.  I hesitate to publish his website, because... well, read on.

So what did this "agent" who apparently has an "office" at the airport in GZ do?  Well.... I'm not sure.  All I know is that the airport and airline staff waved me right thru.  The guy was supposed to meet me at customs with paperwork looked "really offiical" - hand written, really bad English translation - that he had scanned to me when I was ready to board the plane at LAX.  I emailed back that I would do it when I arrived.  This "paperwork" is certainly not the work of the Chinese Govt.  But when I arrived there was no paperwork, no agent, no one at customs ready to check the dog.  This was a very different experience when I originally came from Guadalajara with the dog to Colorado Springs.  Chest thumping Napoleonic TSA agents all over the place, but in GZ, no one was there and I was waved and pushed right through. 

I didn't see the "agent's agent" until I was ready to book my seat (and the dog's) on my connecting flight to Hefei.  I'd figured I would see or hear from him eventually.  He wanted his money.  The "agent" purchased the connecting flight for me which has caused problems for me getting reimbursed from this university I am working at.  And he didn't purchase the part for the dog.  So at the very least purchase your own tickets.

Now I'm wondering if customs just dropped the ball and this guy just stole money from me.  Or did he really make customs go away?  I don't know.  All I know is she's here, I'm here and there was no quarantine.  And we are living happily ever after.