Animal Exportation

Step 1. Confirmation of Export Requirements and Tentative Schedule

Before initiating the exportation process, users must confirm that the proposed export complies with the approved Animal Experimental Protocol and the requirements of the destination country.

Users must submit a Service Request Form and an Animal Exportation Form to LAF, including:

  • Destination of export
  • Species, strain, sex, age, and quantity of animals to be exported
  • Current animal location within LAF (Zone, Room, Rack)
  • Tentative export date, coordinated with a courier capable of transporting live animals

Please allow at least 4 weeks from initiation to completion of an animal export.

Cage cards must be clearly and appropriately tagged to facilitate inspection by the Attending Veterinarian (AV) and reference by Government officials.

Preliminary Veterinary Assessment

Upon receipt of the exportation form, the LAF veterinary team will conduct a preliminary assessment of animal health and welfare suitability for transport. The veterinary team will also:

  • Determine the appropriate allocation of animals to transport boxes
  • Confirm the number and type of transport boxes required

Allocation of animals into transport boxes must be approved by the veterinary team prior to submitting any application to a logistics company. Allocation will be assessed in accordance with animal welfare standards and local and international transport guidelines.

Users should confirm any special export conditions or documentation requirements mandated by the destination country.

Where required, health surveillance reports can be provided by LAF for submission to the receiving institution once a completed exportation form is received
(Contact: Dr Dawn Ngai, dawnngai@ust.hk).

Step 2. Regulatory Applications and Documentation

Users must complete and submit the following documents to LAF for AV endorsement and coordination of Government inspection:

  • LAF Health Certificate for Export of Research Rodents (for China, for Macau, for Korea)
  • UN109 (China only)
  • Attachment 3 (China only)
  • Application for Sanitary Certificate for Products of Animal Origin (embryo export only)
  • Packing list (must be pre‑approved by the LAF Veterinary team)
  • Commercial or pro‑forma invoice
  • Import License issued by destination authorities

LAF will assist with scheduling the Government veterinary inspection, which will be conducted within 24 hours prior to the export date for China or Macau, or within 10 days for other countries, once complete documentation is received.

Export of Mice to Mainland China

For mice exportation to Mainland China, users are responsible for applying to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD):

  • Submit AF300 – HCA application form
  • Pay the applicable fees (subject to AFCD fee schedule):
    • HKD 654 for consignments up to 50 animals
    • HKD 1,850 for mandatory Government veterinary inspection

Applications should be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance to allow sufficient time for arranging a Government visit once the export is confirmed.

Step 3. Preparation of Animals for Export and Inspection

Prior to export:

  • Approved transport boxes and partitions (where applicable) must be prepared
  • Hydrogel must be prepared as required.
  • Animals must remain in their assigned transport allocation and should not be rearranged

Any animals identified with clinical concerns by the veterinary team must be replaced or removed in accordance with veterinary advice.

Step 4. Transportation and Day‑of‑Export Handover

Unless otherwise agreed, users are responsible for coordinating transportation with their selected courier.

On the day of export:

  • Animals will undergo a final health and welfare check by LAF
  • Animals will be placed in transport boxes according to the approved allocation
  • Users are responsible for ensuring that animals are securely packed and released to the logistics company at the designated location

Users must verify that:

  • The correct animals are exported
  • All required documentation accompanies the shipment
  • Transport containers meet regulatory and animal welfare requirements

Step 5. Post‑Export Responsibilities

Following exportation, users must:

  • Ensure that required government declarations are lodged within 14 days, where applicable
  • Notify LAF once exportation has been successfully completed

Any issues arising during transport or upon arrival at the destination must be reported promptly to LAF.

Enquiries and Support

For veterinary review, biosecurity assessment, documentation endorsement, or coordination of Government inspection, please contact:

Dr Dawn Ngai (dawnngai@ust.hk)