BEIJING, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Pets entering China through customs with pet quarantine capacity can enjoy a more convenient clearance procedure starting from May 1.

According to the latest regulations issued by the General Administration of Customs, pets with valid health certificates and rabies vaccination certificates issued by official agencies in their home countries can enter China directly.

Previously, all the pets, even with certificates, had to be isolated for a quarantine of seven to 30 days.

Beijing customs said more than 1,200 pets entered China through the Beijing port in 2018, and the number is expected to increase with the new regulations, which also require that each pet owner should only bring one dog or cat at a time, and all pets should have an implanted electronic chip.