For pet owners in Hong Kong, a piece of news about the mainland's high-speed rail pilot pet shipping service is like a ray of sunshine, illuminating their vision of traveling far away with their beloved furry friends.

The news pointed out that China's high-speed railways (HSR) are piloting pet shipping services, which means that in the future Hong Kong's furry friends may also be able to take the HSR and explore a wider world with their owners.

High-speed rail and pets: News highlights

According to ^reports1 , China Railway began to pilot pet consignment services on some lines of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed ​​Railway on April 8, 2025.

The news detailed the specific conditions and ^restrictions for checking in pets1: Passengers must make an online reservation through the 12306 mobile app at least two days in advance, and each passenger is only allowed to check in one cat or dog. To ensure a safe and comfortable journey, the railway department has clear requirements on the size and health of pets. The weight of a single pet must not exceed 15 kilograms and the shoulder height must not exceed 40 centimeters. It must be a pet in good health and has been domesticated. It is worth noting that 47 kinds of fierce dogs, including Tibetan Mastiff, Boxer and German Shepherd, and their mixed-breed offspring are not included in the checked baggage range.

During transportation, pets will be placed in special pet transport boxes. The transport box was independently developed by the railway department and is equipped with an air circulation system, oxygen content and temperature and humidity monitoring devices, as well as noise reduction and odor removal ^functions1 . To avoid affecting other passengers, these pet transport boxes will be placed in the high-speed rail express cabinet at one end of the middle carriage of the train, completely isolated from the space where passengers are sitting. During the check-in period, the staff will look after the pet throughout the process and pay attention to the pet's condition at any time through the monitoring system. They will conduct inspections every no more than two hours and provide drinking water for the pet as appropriate. However, feeding is not allowed and the owner will not be able to visit the pet during the journey.

As for the shipping fee, according to the information displayed on the 12306 App, high-speed rail pet shipping will be priced in stages according to the transportation mileage, and a 30% discount will be offered during the initial trial phase. For example, a trip of less than 1,000 km will cost RMB 558, while a trip of more than 2,000 km will cost RMB ^1,2581 .

Pet owners’ voices: the potential significance and impact of high-speed rail travel

For pet owners in Hong Kong, the potential significance of the high-speed rail pet consignment service is far-reaching.

Compared with air cargo, which is currently a possible option, high-speed rail transportation is considered a more convenient and humane way.

It is worth mentioning that the current entry procedures for pet cats and dogs from Hong Kong into the Mainland are relatively simple. Generally, one only needs to provide an official quarantine certificate, vaccination certificate and ensure that the pet has been implanted with an electronic ^microchip1 . However, when returning to Hong Kong from the Mainland, pets may need to undergo compulsory quarantine for up to four months under Hong Kong’s current Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance and Rabies Ordinance. The associated costs are high, which discourages many pet ^owners1 .

If the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station can also open a high-speed rail pet consignment service in the future, even if the return trip still faces quarantine challenges, the convenience of a one-way trip will greatly encourage Hong Kong pet owners to bring their furry friends to the ^mainland1 .

A sneak peek at the travel gear at Furry Kids Story

Although it is still unknown when the Hong Kong High Speed ​​Rail will provide pet consignment services, Pets Thing has prepared a series of high-quality travel supplies for you, so that you and your pet can always welcome this exciting journey:

• Comfortable and compliant pet carriers and backpacks: To ensure your pet is comfortable and safe during the high-speed rail journey, it is important to choose a pet carrier or backpack that is well ventilated, sturdy and fully enclosed. You will need to carefully measure your pet to ensure that the carrier or carrier you choose meets the potential HSR size and weight restrictions (e.g. weight not exceeding 15 kg and shoulder height not exceeding 40 cm). It is also a good idea to refer to the current airline pet transportation regulations. While specific regulations for high-speed rail may vary, airlines generally require pets to stay in a fully enclosed carrier at all times, and the size of the carrier is also restricted. Pets Thing offers a variety of cages and backpacks that meet these standards, so that your furry pet can enjoy a safe and comfortable space during travel.
• Lightweight and portable feeding and drinking supplies: Even though opening the cage to feed your pet may not be allowed during high-speed rail journeys, it is still very important to provide your pet with plenty of water and food before and after the journey. Pets Thing has prepared lightweight and easy-to-carry pet water bottles for you. Some styles also come with foldable drinking bowls, allowing you to replenish water for your pet anytime and anywhere. In addition, we also offer pet food storage containers in various sizes to ensure that you can carry enough food and keep the food fresh.
• Travel comfort items: Long-distance travel can be unsettling for some nervous pets. Pets Thing recommends that you use pet-specific soothing sprays, which usually contain natural ingredients such as lavender or chamomile to help soothe your pet's mood. You can also bring a favorite toy or blanket with you; the familiar smell can help your pet feel more at ease in an unfamiliar environment6 ^.
• Thoughtful travel assistant: In order to make your journey easier and more convenient, Pets Thing also provides a series of thoughtful gadgets, such as pet wipes, so that you can clean your pet at any time; there are also pet poop bags, so that you can be a responsible owner during your trip. Considering that opening the cage may not be allowed on high-speed trains, you can also prepare pet diapers or sanitary pants to deal with emergencies during the journey.

Tips: Prepare your pet for high-speed rail travel

In order to welcome the upcoming pet high-speed rail journey, Pets Thing would like to remind all pet owners:

• Please pay close attention to the official news released by the Hong Kong High Speed ​​Rail (for example, the Hong Kong High Speed ​​Rail ^website12 ) and relevant departments to learn about the latest pet transportation policies and regulations.
• You can start getting your pet used to staying in a pet carrier or backpack and practice taking them on short trips to reduce their anxiety about traveling.
• Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date and that you have all the necessary health documentation, especially if you plan to travel to the ^mainland1 .
• Check and understand in advance the specific regulations between Hong Kong and the Mainland regarding the entry and exit of pets, including the Mainland’s requirements for the entry of pets and Hong Kong’s quarantine regulations for pets returning from the Mainland1 ^.

Conclusion: Furry Kids’ Stories Accompany You

Pets Thing has always been committed to providing Hong Kong pet owners with a variety of high-quality and convenient pet products.