Pet Microchip

The first step to prepare your dog, cat or ferret to enter the Isle of Man is to have your pet microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15 digit pet microchip.

If your pet currently has a microchip that is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, then you have 3 choices:

• You can bring your own microchip scanner.
• You can contact the officials at the Border Inspection Post where you will enter the EU and inquire as to whether they have scanners that can read your pet's chip.
• If your pet's current microchip can still be read, your veterinarian can implant compliant chip. The number and implant dates of both microchips must be documented on the EU Health Certificate (see step #5).

A tattoo is an acceptable form of identification as long as it was given prior to July 3, 2011, is clearly visible and your pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied.

Vaccinations

All dogs, cats and ferrets must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered after a microchip was implanted to enter the Isle of Man.

The first rabies vaccination after the microchip is implanted is called the primary vaccination and it should be a one year vaccine unless manufacturer specifications permit its use as a primary vaccination. If your pet's previous rabies vaccination had expired before being revaccinated, the next vaccination becomes the primary vaccination.

All vaccinations that are administered after the primary vaccination are called booster vaccinations.

If your pet is entering the Isle of Man from a rabies-free (click here) or rabies-controlled country (click here), the primary rabies vaccination must be administered no sooner than 21 days before entering the Isle of Man.

There is no waiting period after booster vaccinations as long as:

• the previous vaccination was administered after a microchip was implanted AND
• the booster vaccination was administered before the previous vaccination had expired.

The Isle of Man does honor the 3 year rabies vaccination for dogs, cats and ferrets; however, it should only be administered as a booster, not as a primary vaccination. You can speak to your veterinarian about this.

Once your pet has entered the Isle of Man, a 21 day waiting period is not required for subsequent visits, provided rabies boosters are kept up to date, and the other entry requirements are met.

If your pet is entering the Isle of Man from a high-rabies country, it must wait for a minimum of 30 days after the primary or booster vaccination before receiving a rabies titer test (see step #3).

Rabies Titer Test

If your pet is entering the Isle of Man from a high-rabies country (click here), your pet must be microchipped, then vaccinated for rabies (in that order). After waiting a minimum of 30 days after the primary or booster vaccinatino, a rabies titer test (FAVN) must be administered. (Have your veterinarian scan your pet's microchip prior to the titer test.)

Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results are within acceptable limits, your pet can enter the Isle of Man no sooner than 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn and avoid quarantine. This step is not required unless entering the Isle of Man from a high-rabies country (click here).

Tapeworm Treatment - Dogs Only

Before your dog can enter the Isle of Man, it must be treated against certain tapeworms by a licensed veterinarian between one and five days prior to entering London unless your pet is entering directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta, other members of the United Kingdom or Norway.

Pet Health Certificate

The type of health certificate required for your pet depends on whether or not your pet's transport is accompanied OR it involves a purchase, sale or transfer of ownership. Choose from two options below.

Non-Commercial Transport: the owner or a legal representative of the owner is traveling with or within 5 days of the pet AND the transport does not involve purchase, sale or transfer of ownership.

Non-Commercial Transport to the Isle of Man from a country outside of the EU:

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the non-commercial UK health certificate for the Isle of Man within 10 days of travel. The forms must be endorsed by the government agency responsible for the import and export of animals after issuance.

This form is good for transports of 5 or less animals. (see item 6 if you are traveling with more than 5 pets.) The form is good for 4 months of travel within the EU as long as the rabies vaccination documented on it does not expire.

Non-Commercial Transport to the Isle of Man from another EU Member State:

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply.

Have your veterinarian update an EU Pet Passport for your pet. An EU health certificate is not required for pets traveling to Austria from another EU Member State unless a rabies booster was administered by a veterinarian outside of the EU at any time after your pet received its microchip.

No matter what country you are entering the Isle of Man from, you or your representative must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that your pet's transport does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of your pet.

Commercial Transport: the owner or a legal representative of the owner is not traveling with or within 5 days of the pet OR the purpose of the transport involves a sale or transfer of ownership OR more than 5 dogs, cats or ferrets are traveling with or without their owner.

Commercial transport to the Isle of Man from a rabies-free or rabies-controlled country outside the EU:

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the commercial UK health certificate within 48 hours of travel. If your pet is traveling from the United States or Canada, the veterinarian must be accredited by the USDA or CFIA respectively and the commercial EU health certificate must be endorsed by the local USDA (United States) or CFIA (Canada) office.

This form is good for transports of 5 or less dogs, cats or ferrets. (see item 6 for transports of more than 5 pets). It is valid for 4 months of travel within the EU as long as your pet's rabies vaccination does not expire.

Your pet must enter through an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) at an international airport in Heathrow, Gatwick or Edinburgh. Notice must be given 24 hours prior to arrival.

All dogs must be vaccinated against distemper.

Commercial Transport to the Isle of Man from high-rabies countries outside the EU:

Dogs, cats and ferrets can only enter the Isle of Man from these high-rabies countries. Pets must conform to all rules above and also have a titer test according to step 3 above.

Commercial transport to the Isle of Man from another EU Member State:

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply. Step 3 does not apply.

Your pet must travel from a licensed premises which is registered with the governing authority in your EU country responsible for the import and export of animals.

Your veterinarian must obtain and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet.

Your pet's veterinarian must issue an Intratrade health certificate completed within 48 hours of entry.

If your pet is traveling to the Isle of Man under commercial regulations from another EU Member State, a licensed agent in the origination country who is registered to enter transports into IPAFFS must handle the transport.

Traveling with more than 5 pets

If you are traveling with 6 or more cats, dogs or ferrets, in order to transport them under non-commercial regulations, they must be 6 months or older and attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event. If this is not the case, your pets must meet the requirements for commercial transport. (see step #5)

Entering the Isle of Man from Malaysia & Australia

If your pet is entering Isle of Man from peninsular Malaysia, the following conditions must be met:

1. Your pet has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior to export.
2. Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.
3. Your pet has been tested with negative a result to an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export.

Cats may only enter Isle of Man from Australia under the condition that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

Entering the Isle of Man by Air

Pets entering the Isle of Man by air from outside of the UK must do so through approved Border Inspection Posts at London Heathrow, Gatwick or Edinburgh Airports. If accompanied, pets can also enter the Isle of Man from Manchester Airport. Pets entering the Isle of Man by air from the United Kingdom can do so from any airport.

Pets should enter London directly or transit through another EU Member State. If your pet transits through a high-rabies country, then a Transit Declaration will be required stating that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Isle of Man. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Puppies and Kittens

Microchips and rabies vaccinations must not be administered prior to 12 weeks of age and there is a 21 day wait for puppies and kittens over 3 months of age arriving from EU Member States or rabies-controlled countries. The minimum age for entering Isle of Man from high-rabies countries is 7 months of age.

Banned Breeds

The following dog breeds are not permitted to enter the Isle of Man: Pit Bull Terrier types, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero

As of December 21, 2023, American XL Bully breeds will added to the Dangerous Dog Laws and will no longer be approved for import to the Isle of Man. Owners of these dogs must have them spayed or neutered by June, 2024. They cannot be bred, sold, abondoned or rehomed. They must be muzzled whenever in public.

On February 1, 2024, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully dog if it is not registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs.

Dogs can only be considered for the Index of Exempted Dogs from Dangerous Dog Laws through the courts. Pet owners cannot apply for exemption when importing their dogs. Only dogs that are returning to the Isle of Man after being placed on the exemption list can enter the country.

Exporting Pets Living in Isle of Man

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Isle of Man for another EU Member State must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies (in that order) and wait 21 days before leaving Isle of Man. Export permits issued by your local veterinarian are required.

If you are planning to take your pet on a trip to a country with a high incidence of rabies, your veterinarian should do a rabies titer test before you leave Isle of Man if you intend to return.

All pets leaving the Isle of Man under commercial regulationis will need Export Health Certificates. The transport must be entered into the TRACES system if the destination is an EU Member State.

Other Animals

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Isle of Man from other EU Member States. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

CITES

If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Need More Assistance?

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.

Further detail on import permits, costs, tests and procedures are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM EST.

 

HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS???

Due to the high demand, we are unable to respond to your  question quickly if posted below. If you need a fast response, you can post them directly to our Facebook page, blog, or forum. We will respond as soon as we can.

Please note that the accuracy of comments made from Facebook users other than Pet Travel have not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.