Country Classifications

Due to the shared border with the Republic of Ireland, it was decided at the time of Brexit that Northern Ireland would remain under the legislation of the EU Pet Travel Scheme which applies to the movement of pets and applies to all EU Member States.

The EU classifies countries as either EU Member States, Listed Third Countries and territoriers and Unlisted Countries.

The requirements to import a dog, cat or ferret to Northern Ireland will depend on the classification of the origination country, and whether your pet has visited an Unlisted Country within the past 4 months.

Importers and pet owners should always check their country's classification to see if additional requirements are necessary. For example, the EU requires pets imported to an EU Member State from an unlisted country to have a blood test administered 3 calendar months before entry.

Pet Microchip

The first step to prepare your dog, cat or ferret to enter Northern Ireland 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 4 choices:

• You can have your pet microchipped with a 15-digit microchip, then revaccinated for rabies and wait for 21 days be before travel (Listed Third Countries) or 30 days before getting your pet a rabies titer test (Unlisted Countries).
• You can bring your own microchip scanner.
• You can contact the officials at the Point of Entry where you will enter Northern Ireland 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 a compliant chip. The number and implant dates of both microchips must be documented on the EU Health Certificate (see step #6).

 

Note: 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 and is reflected in a rabies certificate, vaccination booklet or EU Pet Passport.

Vaccinations

All dogs, cats and ferrets imported to Northern Ireland must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted by your veterinarian.

If your pet is entering Northern Ireland from an EU Member State, Listed Third Country or a country listed in step 7, the primary rabies vaccination* must be administered no sooner than 21 days before entering Northern Ireland. Note that some rabies vaccines require 30 days until immunity. Confirm your pet's immunity date with the administering veterinarian.

If your pet is entering Northern Ireland from an Unlisted Country, it must wait for a minimum of 30 days after the rabies vaccination before receiving a rabies titer test (see step #4).

*The primary vaccination is the first rabies vaccination administered after a microchip is implanted OR your pet'previous rabies vaccination had expired when this one was administered.

Northern Ireland does recognize 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.

Rabies Titer Test

A rabies titer test is required for all dogs, cats and ferrets who are either entering Northern Ireland from an Unlisted Country or have visited/resided in an Unlisted Country within 4 months of import to Northern Ireland. The recommended type is the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) as it is accepted at the majority of countries that require titer tests.

Steps 2 and 3 will apply (in the order given). After waiting a minimum of 30 days after the primary or booster vaccination, a rabies titer test must be administered. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results are within acceptable limits, your pet can enter Northern Ireland no sooner than 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn and avoid quarantine.

Tapeworm Treatment - Dogs Only

Before your dog can enter Northern Ireland, it must be treated against tapeworms by a licensed verterinarian between one and five days prior to entering the country unless your pet is entering directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway. The treatment must be recorded on the health certificate (next step).

Health Certificate (Non-Commercial versus Commercial Transport)

All live animals imported to Northern Ireland will need a current health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country. The type of health certificate will depend on the purpose of the transport and how the transport is accomplished.

Choose from two options below.

Non-Commercial: The pet owner or a legal representative of the pet owner is traveling with or within 5 days of the pet AND the purpose of the transport is not for adoption, sale or exchange of ownership AND the number of pets involved in the transport is not more than five unless proof of participation in a show or competition is available.

Non-Commercial Transport to Northern Ireland from another EU Member State or countries listed in step #7:

Regulations in steps 2 and 3 apply. Step 5 also applies unless your pet enter Northern Ireland directly from Ireland, Norway, Malta or Finland.

Have your veterinarian update an EU Pet Passport (resident pets) with all your pet's microchip and vaccination information or issue an non-commercial EU Health Certificate (non-resident pets). A health check prior to travel is always recommended.

You or your representative must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that your pet's transport does not involve the sale, adoption or transfer of ownership of your pet.

Non-Commercial Transport to Northern Ireland from a Listed Third Country NOT including Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales):

Regulations in steps 2 and 3 apply. Step 5 applies unless your pet enter Northern Ireland directly from Ireland, Norway, Malta or Finland.

A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the non-commercial EU health certificate for Northern Ireland. Endorsement by a government veterinarian must occur within 10 days of issuance.

This form is valid for transports of not more than 5 dogs, cats or ferrets. (Transport is commercial if you are traveling with more than 5 pets not attending competitions or shows.)

You or your representative must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that your pet's transport does not involve the sale, adoption or transfer of ownership of your pet.

Your pet must enter through an approved Point of Entry: Belfast Port, Larne Harbour and Belfast International Airport. Notice must be given 28 days prior to arrival via a pet import form.

Non-Commercial Transport to Northern Ireland from Great Britain:

The newly signed Windsor Framework has replaced post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol and specifies that all pets entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain must have proof of microchip identification and a confirmation that the pet will not cross the border into Ireland or travel to any other EU Member State without proper documentation required under the Pet Travel Scheme (steps 2.3 and 6)

You or your representative must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that your pet's transport does not involve the sale, adoption or transfer of ownership of your pet.

Your pet must enter through an approved Point of Entry: Belfast Port, Larne Harbour and Belfast International Airport. Notice must be given 28 days prior to arrival via a pet import form.

Non-Commercial Transport to Northern Ireland from an Unlisted Country:

Regulations in steps 2, 3, 4 and 5 apply.

A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the non-commercial EU health certificate for Northern Ireland. Endorsement by a government veterinarian must occur within 10 days of issuance.

This form is valid for transports of not more than 5 dogs, cats or ferrets. (Transport is commercial if you are traveling with more than 5 pets not attending competitions or shows.)

You or your representative must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that your pet's transport does not involve the sale, adoption or transfer of ownership of your pet.

Your pet must enter through an approved Point of Entry: Belfast Port, Larne Harbour and Belfast International Airport. Notice must be given 28 days prior to arrival via a pet import form.

Commercial Regulations: 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, adoption or transfer of ownership OR the number of pets involved in the transport is greater than five when not competing in shows.
All dogs traveling under commercial regulations must be vaccinated for distemper.

Commercial Transport to Northern Ireland from another EU Member State:

Regulations in steps 2 and 3 apply. Step 5 applies unless your pet enter Northern Ireland directly from Ireland, Norway, Malta or Finland.

If your pet is traveling to Northern Ireland under commercial regulations from another EU Member State, it must travel from a licensed premises which is registered with the governing authority in the origination country. Your veterinarian must obtain and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet. Your pet's transport must be accompanied by an Intratrade health certificate completed within 48 hours of entry and entered into the TRACES system by an agent authorized to do so.

Commercial Transport to Northern Ireland from a Listed Third Country (NOT including Great Britain) and countries listed in step 7 .

Regulations in steps 2 and 3 apply. Step 4 applies unless you enter Northern Ireland directly from Ireland, Norway, Malta or Finland.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the commercial EU health certificate for Northern Ireland. The certificate must be issued and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

This form is good for transports of 5 or less dogs, cats or ferrets. (see step 9 for transports of more than 5 pets).

Your pet must enter through an approved Point of Entry at Belfast International Airport. Importer must present documentation and pet animals to the live animal inspection agency.

Commercial Transport to Northern Ireland from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)

Regulations in steps 2, 3 and 5 will apply.

Your dog, cat or ferret must originated in a registered premise in Great Britain.

An Official Veterinarian in Great Britain must complete the Export Health Certificate. The certificate must be issued and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

Your pet must be inspected by the OV within 24 hours of transport. All relevant documentation must be entered into IPAFF by an agent in Great Britain. A Common Health Entry Document for Live Animals must be entered into TRACES in Northern Ireland by agents authorized to do so. This will provide preauthorization for the transport.

Your pet must enter through an approved Point of Entry at an Belfast International Airport. Importer must present documentation and pet animals to the live animal inspection agency.

Commercial Transport to Northern Ireland from an Unlisted Listed Third Country

Dogs, cats and ferrets from Unlisted Countries may only enter Northern Ireland with or within 5 days of their owners or their owner's representative. In this case, non-commercial regulations will apply.

Pet Passports accepted by Northern Ireland

If your pet resides in one of the following countries and your veterinarian has issued your pet a pet passport, Northern Ireland will accept it instead of an EU Health Certificate if the recorded information conforms to steps 2, 3 as well as 5 if not entering directly from Ireland, Norway, Malta or Finland..

Andorra, Azores and Madeira, Canary Islands, French Guiana, Gibraltar, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Liechtenstein. Martinique, Monaco, Norway, Reunion, San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican City.

Entering Northern Ireland from Malaysia & Australia

If your pet is entering Northern Ireland 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 Northern Ireland 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.

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 6)

Entering Northern Ireland by Air

All live animals entering Northern Ireland must do so at Belfast Airport, Belfast Port or Larne Harbor.

Pets whose final destination is Northern Ireland must file an import applicationn with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs at least 28 days prior to entry.

Importers whose pets do not conform to regulations to enter Northern Ireland must do so under an Import Authorisation issued by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. An Import Authorization must be completed at least 10 days before your pet enters Northern Ireland. You must also engage the services of an approved quarantine establishment to facilitate the checking of accompanying paperwork as there are not facilities at the airport to do this. There is a charge for this service.

Pets should enter Northern Ireland 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. 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

Unvaccinated puppies and kittens under 12 weeks of age are not permitted to enter Northern Ireland. Puppies and kittens must be microchipped, then vaccinated for rabies no sooner than 12 weeks of age. Regulations in steps 1-5 will apply depending on the origination country.

Banned Breeds

The following breeds are not permitted to enter Northern Ireland: Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa Inu or American Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier. If you have a wolf hybrid or Savannah cat, then you must seek advice from the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency before you travel.

Exporting Pets Living in Northern Ireland

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Northern Ireland for another EU Member State must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies (in that order) and wait 21 days before leaving the country. Have your veterinarian issue an EU pet passport if you intend to return to the country.

For import to other countries, you can research regulations to import a dog or cat to over 200 countries here.

If you are planning to take your pet on a trip to an Unlisted Country, your veterinarian should administer a rabies titer test before you leave Northern Ireland if you intend to return to the country.

Export certificates are required for exporting resident dogs and cats commercially (see step 6 for definition of commercial transport). The form must be filed at least 28 days prior to export.

Other Animals

There are no rabies requirements for other species of rodents, rabbits, birds, ornamental fish, intervebrates, amphibians and reptiles imported to Northern Ireland from other EU Member States as well as Andorra, Switzerland, Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and San Marino. However, pet rabbits and rodents imported to Northern Ireland with their owners from any other non-EU rabies-controlled country other than Great Britain will be quarantined for 4 months.

Invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits should have a health certificate to enter Northern Ireland. Birds from EU Member States or those countries listed in step 7 must be accompanied by their owner and have a Owner Declaration Form. Prenotification must be given. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the destination country.

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.

 

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