Miss one date and Taiwan can reset your pet's whole timeline. Here's the order that works.
Moving a pet from the US to Taiwan takes ~16 weeks (90-day favn clock + permit buffer). The steps must happen in order: microchip first, then rabies, then the FAVN titer and its waiting period, then the final vet exam and USDA endorsement close to travel.
Plan-ahead window: ~16 weeks (90-day FAVN clock + permit buffer). Microchip must come before the first rabies vaccine, or the destination rejects the rabies record.
- 01Rabies vaccine 30 days to 1 year before shipment365 to 30 days before travel
The dog or cat must be at least 90 days old, microchipped, and vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days but no more than 1 year before shipment.
Source → - 02Rabies-antibody sample 90 days to 1 year before shipment365 to 90 days before travel
A neutralizing-antibody sample must be collected at least 90 days and no more than 1 year before shipment, test at ≥0.5 IU/mL, and be run at a WOAH reference or APHIA-designated laboratory.
Source → - 03Taiwan import permit and quarantine reservation90 to 20 days before travel
Apply to APHIA for the import permit and reserve post-entry quarantine space at least 20 days before shipment.
Source → - 04Seven-day post-entry quarantine with rabies-antibody retestwithin 7 days after arrival
APHIA detains the dog or cat at the designated post-entry quarantine location for 7 days and retests the blood for rabies antibody during detention.
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- Mainland-US Taiwan trips use a 90-day titer clock
Collect the rabies-antibody sample 90–365 days before shipment, apply for the import permit and quarantine reservation at least 20 days before shipment, and plan for 7 days of post-entry quarantine.
Source → - Microchip must be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccine
Any rabies vaccination given before the microchip is INVALID — destination will reject it. If your pet was vaccinated first, you'll need to re-vaccinate AFTER microchipping. This is the #3 most common reason trips get reset.
Source → - Don't let the rabies vaccine lapse — it invalidates the FAVN
For destinations that require continuous rabies coverage, even a 1-day lapse can invalidate the prior titer path. The replacement timeline is destination-specific: Japan counts 180 days from a new blood draw, Taiwan requires a sample 90–365 days before shipment, and Hawaii uses its own program clock.
Source → - EU layovers need a transit-zone check, not an automatic certificate
If the route uses an EU or associated airport, confirm whether the pet remains in that airport’s international transit zone. Qualifying non-commercial pets that stay in-zone do not need an EU health certificate; commercial/unaccompanied movement or handling outside the zone may still require EU entry paperwork.
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Primary source: Taiwan authority · verified 2026-05-17 · full source ledger →