Pet Travel on High-Speed Rail No Longer a Dream? PetsThing Prepares Travel Essentials for You

For pet owners in Hong Kong, news of a pilot pet consignment service on mainland China's high-speed rail is like a ray of sunshine, illuminating their vision of traveling far with their beloved furry companions.

News reports indicate that China's high-speed rail (HSR) is piloting a pet consignment service, meaning that in the future, Hong Kong's pets may also be able to travel by HSR and explore a wider world with their owners.

High-Speed Rail and Pets: News Highlights

According to reports¹, China Railway began piloting a pet consignment service on some lines of the Beijing-Shanghai HSR on April 8, 2026.

The news details the specific conditions and restrictions for consigning pets¹: passengers must make an online reservation via the 12306 mobile app at least two days in advance, and each passenger is limited to consigning one cat or dog. To ensure travel safety and comfort, the railway department has clear requirements for the pet's size and health. A single pet must not weigh more than 15 kg, have a shoulder height of no more than 40 cm, and must be in good health and domesticated. It is worth noting that 47 breeds of aggressive dogs, including Tibetan Mastiffs, Boxers, and German Shepherds, as well as their mixed breeds, are not allowed for consignment.

During transport, pets will be placed in specially designed pet carriers. These carriers, independently developed by the railway department, are equipped with air circulation systems, oxygen content and temperature/humidity monitoring devices, as well as noise reduction and deodorization functions¹. To avoid affecting other passengers, these pet carriers will be placed in the high-speed express cabinets at one end of the middle carriages, completely isolated from the passenger compartment. During consignment, staff will monitor the pets throughout the journey, paying close attention to their condition via a monitoring system, conducting inspections every two hours or less, and providing drinking water as needed, but feeding is not allowed, and owners cannot visit their pets during the journey.

As for consignment fees, according to information displayed on the 12306 App, HSR pet consignment will be charged in segments based on travel distance, with a 30% discount offered during the initial trial phase. For example, a journey of less than 1000 km costs RMB 558, while a journey of over 2000 km costs RMB 1258¹.

Pet Owners' Perspectives: Potential Significance and Impact of High-Speed Rail Travel

For pet owners in Hong Kong, the potential significance of high-speed rail opening pet consignment services is profound.

Compared to current air cargo options, high-speed rail transport is considered a more convenient and humane method, especially for pet owners traveling to the mainland to visit relatives or for tourism, as it will greatly enhance travel convenience³.

It is worth noting that the current procedures for cats and dogs entering mainland China from Hong Kong are relatively straightforward, generally requiring only an official quarantine certificate, vaccination records, and ensuring the pet has an implanted microchip¹. However, when returning to Hong Kong from the mainland, according to Hong Kong's current "Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance" and "Rabies Ordinance," pets may need to undergo up to four months of compulsory quarantine, with significant associated costs, which deters many pet owners¹.

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

First Look at PetsThing Travel Gear

While it is yet unknown when Hong Kong's high-speed rail will offer pet consignment services, PetsThing has already prepared a range of high-quality travel products for you, so you and your furry friend are always ready for this anticipated journey:

• Comfortable and Compliant Pet Carriers and Backpacks: To ensure your pet's comfort and safety during the high-speed rail journey, choosing a pet carrier or backpack that is well-ventilated, structurally sturdy, and fully enclosed is crucial. You need to carefully measure your pet's size to ensure the chosen carrier or backpack meets potential high-speed rail size and weight limits (e.g., weight not exceeding 15 kg, shoulder height not exceeding 40 cm). Referring to current airline pet transport regulations is also a good approach. While specific high-speed rail regulations may differ, airlines typically require pets to remain in a fully enclosed carrier throughout the journey, and there are also size restrictions for carriers. PetsThing offers a variety of carriers and backpacks that meet these standards, allowing your pet to have a safe and comfortable space even during travel.
• Lightweight and Portable Feeding and Drinking Supplies: Even if opening the carrier to feed during the high-speed rail journey is not allowed, it is still very important to provide your pet with sufficient water and food before and after the journey. PetsThing offers lightweight and portable pet water bottles, some with foldable drinking bowls, making it convenient for you to replenish your pet's water anytime, anywhere. In addition, we also offer pet food storage containers in various sizes to ensure you can carry enough food and keep it fresh.
• Soothing Essentials for the Journey: For some easily anxious pets, long journeys can make them uneasy. PetsThing recommends using pet-specific calming sprays, which usually contain natural ingredients like lavender or chamomile, to help soothe your pet's emotions. You can also bring one of your pet's favorite toys or a small blanket; familiar scents can help them feel more secure in an unfamiliar environment⁶.
• Thoughtful Travel Helpers: To make your journey easier and more convenient, PetsThing also offers a range of thoughtful gadgets, such as pet wipes for easy cleaning of your pet at any time, and pet waste bags, so you can be a responsible owner even during your trip. Considering that opening the carrier might not be allowed on the high-speed rail, you can also prepare pet diapers or male wraps to handle unexpected situations during the journey.

Tips: Preparing for Your Pet's High-Speed Rail Journey

To prepare for the potential pet high-speed rail journey, PetsThing reminds all pet owners:

• Please pay close attention to official announcements from Hong Kong High-Speed Rail (e.g., the Hong Kong High-Speed Rail website¹²) and relevant departments for the latest pet transport policies and regulations.
• You can start getting your pet accustomed to being in a pet carrier or backpack and practice short trips to reduce their anxiety about travel.
• Ensure your pet has completed the latest vaccinations and prepare all necessary health certificates, especially if you plan to travel to mainland China¹.
• Research and understand the specific regulations for pet entry and exit between Hong Kong and mainland China, including the mainland's requirements for pet entry and Hong Kong's quarantine regulations for pets returning from the mainland¹.

Conclusion: PetsThing Journeys with You

PetsThing has always been committed to providing Hong Kong pet owners with a variety of high-quality and convenient pet products, and we are also very much looking forward to the future possibility of pets traveling by high-speed rail.