How long does it take to export a horse from the United States to China? Approximately three months. KCTC Director David Snodgrass found this out during his early December 2009 visit to Kentucky. Snodgrass led a delegation of Chinese investors from four horse farms in Beijing. The group purchased nine horses from Kentucky, comprised of eight mares and one stallion. The horses are all of different breeds, none of which are currently present in China.

The process for exporting a horse is as follows. First, the Chinese side must show they have the proper import license and have identified a location for quarantine. Then, the horse goes into quarantine for thirty days in Kentucky. Next, the horse is flown to China in crates that typically hold three horses of normal size. Once arrived, the horse is quarantined for forty-five days before being released to its new home in China. With more than 200 equestrian clubs across China already, KCTC sees a huge potential for growth.

Another area of current focus is in the automotive industry . The KCTC is steering Chinese investors towards automotive components and advanced automotive batteries.  As the third largest producer of light motor vehicles and trucks in the United States,  Kentucky’s resources in this area provide an ideal launching point for China’s entry into the American market.  

For more information on opportunities in Kentucky’s equine and automotive industries, please contact the Kentucky China Trade Center in Beijing.