Macau (Macao SAR)

Specific Information

Air Shipments: All air shipments are physically inspected by Customs at the air terminal. Average clearance time after arrival is approximately 1 to 2 days.

Sea Shipments from within Asia: Will normally undergo a physical Customs inspection. Average clearance time is 2 to 4 days for FCL and 4 to 6 days for LCL.

Sea Shipments from outside Asia: Will not normally undergo Customs inspection and are typically available for delivery within 2 to 3 days for FCL and 3 to 5 days for LCL.

Macau's Customs Status: Macau is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China with its own customs territory, separate from mainland China and Hong Kong. Goods entering Macau from mainland China, Hong Kong, or any other origin are treated as imports subject to Macau customs procedures.

ISPM 15: All wooden packing materials must comply with ISPM 15 phytosanitary treatment standards.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Original purchase invoice
• Certificate of insurance
• OBL / AWB

Specific Information

Used automobiles cannot be imported into Macau. New vehicles — both left-hand and right-hand drive — may be imported, but must be handled by a professional automobile importer. New vehicles are subject to a substantial government tax. Confirm current tax rates with the destination agent before any vehicle shipment is arranged.

Pets

• Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, influenza, Lyme disease, parvovirus 3. Additional vaccinations:
• Cats: feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, feline leukemia 3. Additional vaccinations:

Major Update vs. IAM Baseline: The IAM guide lists only one document ("Import permit") and states only that "quarantine may be required." Current requirements are substantially more detailed and include a 6-month microchip lead time, a mandatory rabies titer test for pets from high-rabies countries (with a 3-month minimum pre-entry waiting period), a Hong Kong routing requirement for high-rabies-country pets, banned breeds, and a 30-day import permit validity window. Planning for a move to Macau with a pet from a high-rabies country requires a minimum of 6 months of advance preparation.

1. ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip — must be implanted at least 6 months before entry into Macau; if the microchip cannot be read, the pet will not be allowed to enter; tattoos are no longer accepted

1. Rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine only) administered after the microchip is implanted; if the pet was vaccinated before microchipping, it must be vaccinated again; pets must not be vaccinated before 3 months of age

1. Rabies antibody titer test — required for pets from any country except those where there have been no incidents of rabies in the past 2 years; test must be administered no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination, and results must be obtained more than 3 months before entry into Macau; samples must be sent to an approved laboratory

1. Parasite treatment (recommended but not required); record on health certificate

1. International health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by a government veterinarian in the country of origin, completed shortly before entry

1. Import permit from the Division of Animal Control and Inspection — must be applied for in Macau by the owner, owner's representative, or a local agent; valid for 30 days from date of issuance

Quarantine: Pets from rabies-free countries or countries with a low incidence of rabies are not quarantined if all requirements are met. Pets from high-rabies countries must enter via Hong Kong and meet Hong Kong import requirements first (see below).

High-Rabies Country Routing: Pets from high-rabies countries cannot enter Macau directly. They must first meet the pet import requirements for Hong Kong, then continue to Macau. When transiting through Hong Kong to Macau, the Macau import approval must be submitted to the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) to obtain permission for the pet to transit. This process takes more than 3 months and must be planned well in advance.

Total Lead Time: For pets from high-rabies countries, the minimum preparation timeline is approximately 6 months: microchip implanted, followed by rabies vaccination, followed by titer test (at least 30 days post-vaccination), followed by more than 3 months waiting before entry. Begin planning no later than 6 to 7 months before the intended move date.

Banned Breeds: The following dog breeds and their crosses are prohibited from import into Macau: Tibetan Mastiff, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Pit Bull Terrier, and Japanese Tosa.

Entry Airport: Pets must enter Macau via Macau International Airport. Dogs and cats may arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo, according to airline policies.

Advance Notice: Importers must notify veterinary officials at the airport before arrival to ensure inspectors are available, particularly for arrivals outside normal business hours.

Exporting Resident Pets: All resident pets leaving Macau must be presented to the Macao Municipal Kennel for inspection before departure. The export health certificate is valid for 10 days.

CITES: Import of wildlife species requires CITES permits. [CITES]