United Kingdom Pet Import Requirements

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What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to the United Kingdom pet import requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering this country from non-EU countries. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets.

For the purpose of these instructions, the United Kingdom includes only England, Scotland, and Wales. Due to its shared border with the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland has remained under EU legislation for the movement of pets. Find pet import regulations for Northern Ireland if your pet will be imported to Northern Ireland.

The United Kingdom is no longer a part of the European Union (EU); however, their regulations regarding the import of pets are similar to those of the European Union.

Your pet’s passport to enter the United Kingdom will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), parasite treatment, and one of the following:

An official EU or NI Pet Passport (resident EU or Northern Ireland pets) or
A government-issued Pet Passport (part 1 listed third country – see UK COUNTRY CLASSIFICATIONS) or
A GB Health Certificate or
A pet passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021 (EU imports only)

Animals Eligible for These Regulations

These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM below.

Pets in the United Kingdom

The British have a long history of animal domestication and pet keeping, dating back to Victorian times when keeping pets became a symbol of middle-class status. A wide variety of animals kept as companions. Dogs are one of the most popular pets in the UK, with millions of households owning at least one dog. Cats are equally popular, known for their independent nature and suitability for both urban and rural living.

The UK has a comprehensive network of veterinary clinics offering services from routine check-ups to advanced medical treatments and pet stores abound with special attention to all types of pets.

The import of pets as well as veterinary care can be expensive in the United Kingdom. Commercial airlines require that all live animals arrive in the United Kingdom as air cargo which is more expensive than in-cabin or accompanied checked baggage. Pet owners should budget carefully to ensure proper care and transport of their pets.

Special Imports

Pets can be imported to the United Kingdom from Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, or Romania with their owners; however, they must have a special license if they do not meet normal import requirements.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering the United Kingdom

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering the United Kingdom if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to the United Kingdom must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-8 should be followed in the order given.

Step 1: Country Classifications

The United Kingdom classifies countries as either:

The requirements to import a dog, cat, or ferret to the United Kingdom will depend on the classification of the origination country and whether your pet has entered an unlisted country within the past four months.

Pet owners should identify the classification of their origination country before reviewing import regulations for the United Kingdom.

Step 2: Type of Transport

The United Kingdom classifies the movement of pets as non-commercial or commercial. These pet import requirements apply to both non-commercial and commercial transports. Review the conditions below to determine whether your pet’s transport will be classified as non-commercial or commercial as the requirements for each type of transport are different.

Conditions for Non-Commercial Transport

• All pets must enter the United Kingdom with or within five days of their owner*. Proof of travel will be required AND
• The transport applies to no more than five pets unless proof of participation in a competition or show is available, and pets are over six months of age AND
• The purpose of the transport must not be for adoption, sale, or exchange of ownership.

*Some EU Member States will allow a representative assigned by the owner to travel with the pet under non-commercial regulations.

All pet owners transporting their pets under non-commercial regulations must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that their pet’s transport does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of their pet.

Unless all of the above conditions are satisfied, your pet must travel under commercial regulations.

Conditions for Commercial Transport

The pet is not traveling with or within five days of the owner* OR
The transport is greater than five pets under one owner’s passport OR
The purpose of the transport involves any change of ownership, adoption or commercial sale.

*Some EU Member States will allow a representative assigned by the owner to travel with the pet under non-commercial regulations.

If any of the above conditions are met, then your pet must travel under commercial regulations. The importer must be registered in the origin country and have proof of the organization they represent. They also must have proof that this business or organization will be responsible for the import of the pet. The exporter must provide proof that they are registered in the exporting country.

Step 3: Pet Microchip

The third step to importing a dog, cat, or ferret to the United Kingdom from any country is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with International Standards Organization (ISO) standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO-compliant, you can either bring your own microchip scanner.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer or government database in your country.

A tattoo is an acceptable form of identification under the following conditions:

It was applied prior to July 3, 2011, and
The tattoo is clearly visible, and
Your pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied, and
All rabies vaccinations after the tattoo was applied were kept current. (No rabies vaccinations were allowed to expire before boosters were administered.)

Step 4: Vaccinations

All dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks of age entering the United Kingdom must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted.

If entering the United Kingdom from another EU Member State, part1 or 2 listed third country, your pet must wait 21 days after the rabies vaccination to travel unless a booster vaccination was just administered. If entering the United Kingdom from an unlisted country, pets must wait for 30 days to have a licensed veterinarian administer a rabies titer test (next step).

In both cases, do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time.

Multi-year rabies vaccinations

The United Kingdom 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.

Other Vaccinations

Pet owners should always consider healthy vaccinations against diseases such as:

canine distemper (also for ferrets)
canine hepatitis
canine leptospirosis
canine parvovirus
feline viral rhinotracheitis
feline panleukopenia
feline leukemia

Exception: Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper when being transported commercially.

Step 5: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test, also known as a serology test, must be administered to pets entering the United Kingdom from unlisted countries only. The test should be administered no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination is administered. Do not count the day of the veterinary visit.

This test measures the rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. There are several kinds of rabies titer tests, although the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) is preferred.

Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results are within acceptable limits, your pet can enter the United Kingdom three (3) calendar months after the date the blood was drawn for the test and avoid quarantine.

The test is valid to enter the United Kingdom or any EU Member State for the life of your pet if boosters are administered prior to the expiration of the previous rabies vaccination.

Step 6: Import Permit

Pet owners do not need an import permit when entering the United Kingdom with a dog, cat, or ferret. The import of other pets may require an import permit.

Step 7: Parasite Treatments

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

Step 8: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires original health certificates in their pet import regulations, and the United Kingdom is no exception. The type of health certificate required will depend on the type of transport the pet is traveling under – non-commercial or commercial.

The type of health certificate required will depend on the type of transport your pet is traveling under – non-commercial or commercial.

Non-Commercial Transport to the United Kingdom from an EU Member State

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 applies if your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel. Step 7 applies unless your pet enters the United Kingdom directly from Ireland, Norway, Malta, or Finland.

Pets will need one of the following documents when entering the United Kingdom from another EU Member State:

A current EU Pet Passport or
An Animal Health Certificate that was issued in the United Kingdom that is less than four months old. The rabies vaccination listed on the certificate must still be valid (pets returning to the United Kingdom).

Non-Commercial Transport to the United Kingdom from a Part 1 Listed Country

Steps 3, 4 and 7 apply. Step 5 does not apply unless your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel.

Pets will need one of the following documents to enter the United Kingdom:

An Animal Health Certificate issued in the United Kingdom that is less than four months old. The rabies vaccination listed on the certificate must still be valid or
A Pet Passport issued in a part 1 listed third country or
A UK Pet Passport issued in the United Kingdom prior to 1 January 2021 or
A GB Health Certificate

Note: Pets entering the United Kingdom from Northern Ireland must be microchipped. No other documentation is required currently.

Non-Commercial Transport to the United Kingdom from a Part 2 Listed or Unlisted Country (excluding Great Britain)

Steps 3, 4 and 7 apply. Step 5 applies under the following conditions:

Your pet is originating from an unlisted country or
Your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel.

A licensed veterinarian must issue a Non-Commercial GB Health Certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in your country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

The GB pet health certificate for the United Kingdom is good for transports of five or less dogs, cats or ferrets. The form is good for four months of travel within the EU as long as the rabies vaccination documented on the certificate does not expire during that time.

Non-Commercial Transport to the United Kingdom from Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

Currently, there are no health certificates required for resident pets entering the United Kingdom from Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.

Commercial Transport to the United Kingdom from an EU Member State

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply. Step 7 applies unless your pet enters the United Kingdom directly from Ireland, Norway, Malta or Finland.

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

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

Your pet must be inspected, and an Intratrade Pet Health Certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of entry.

The transport must be recorded in the TRACES and IPAFF systems by an registered agents ahead of travel. These systems tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Commercial Transport to the United Kingdom from a Part 1 and 2 Listed Third Country

Steps 3, 4 and 7 apply. Step 5 does not apply.

Your pet must be inspected, and a commercial GB Health Certificate must be issued and endorsed by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

The transport must be recorded in advance in the IPAFF system by a registered agent. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Commercial Transport to the United Kingdom from an Unlisted Country

Steps 3, 4, 5 and 7 apply.

Note: Pets can only enter the United Kingdom from unlisted countries under commercial regulations from these countries.

Your pet must be inspected, and a Commercial EU Health Certificate must be issued and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

The transport must be recorded in advance in the IPAFF system by an agent in the United Kingdom. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the United Kingdom.

More Information

Importing Dogs and Cats to the United Kingdom from Malaysia and Australia

If your pet is entering United Kingdom from peninsular Malaysia, the following additional conditions must be met:

Your pet has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior to export.
Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.
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 ten days of export.

Cats may only enter the United Kingdom 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.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to the United Kingdom

Puppies and kittens must not be vaccinated for rabies under 12 weeks of age. Unvaccinated pets are not permitted to enter the United Kingdom from any country until they are microchipped, fully vaccinated for rabies and conform to steps listed in these instructions. The minimum age for import to the United Kingdom from EU Member States and part 1 or 2 listed third countries is 15 weeks of age. The minimum age of import to the United Kingdom from an unlisted country is 7 months of age.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned from Import to the United Kingdom

The following breeds or their mixes are not permitted to enter or transit the United Kingdom:

Brazilian Fila
Dogo Argentino
Japanese Tosa Inu or
American Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier
XL Bull Terrier.

Also some kinds of American Bulldogs have been found to be classified as Pit Bulls. It is illegal to enter or transit the United Kingdom with any of these breeds or their mixes.

Note: the ban also applies to dogs that spend time in the United Kingdom during transit to other countries.

Dogs can only be considered for exemption from United Kingdom Dangerous Dog Laws through the courts. Pet owners cannot apply for exemption when importing their dogs. Only dogs who are returning to the United Kingdom after being placed on the exemption list can reenter the UK.

Flying a Pet to the United Kingdom

All commercial airlines, private charters and ferries that offer services to live animals must be approved to import pets to the United Kingdom. All live animals arriving in the United Kingdom by air must do so as air cargo according to airline pet policies. The reason for this is clearance policies. Once your pet arrives in the UK, it is offloaded and taken to the Animal Reception Center which is located on airport grounds but not at the terminal.

Flights to the United Kingdom should be direct or transit through a listed third country (step 1) or another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.

*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

Entering the United Kingdom with a Pet

Due to regulations set by commercial airlines approved to fly animals to the United Kingdom, pets must arrive as manifest (air) cargo on an approved airline unless they are medically certified service dogs and your airline has a program that supports the transport of service or assistance dogs in the cabin.

Unless traveling from Ireland, accompanied pets traveling non-commercially entering by air from outside the United Kingdom must do so on an approved airline at Border Inspection Posts of London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Manchester, Edinburg or Glasgow.

Pets traveling commercially must enter the United Kingdom at London Heathrow, Gatwick or Edinburgh Airports. Pets must fly to the United Kingdom as air cargo according to airline pet policies. Pets must travel in a crate in compliance with the International Air Transport Association.

Pets traveling unaccompanied from outside the EU must custom clear at London Heathrow or Gatwick Airports.

When traveling by private charter aircraft, pets can enter the United Kingdom at Biggin Hill, Farmborough, Stansted, Cambridge, Blackpool, Doncaster Sheffield, Gloucestershire, London Ashford or London Oxford if their charter is approved to transport live animals to these airports.

You can only bring a pet into Great Britain by private boat if you’re travelling from Ireland or Northern Ireland.

As there are no approved Border Inspection Posts in the Isle of Man, Channel Islands or Wales, pets traveling to these countries must clear customs at one of the airports listed above.

Flights to the United Kingdom should be direct or transit through a listed third country or another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.

*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

All commercial transports, whether by air or land, must be preregistered in the IPAFFS database and the responsible transporter must be registered. Non-commercial transports by land must also be registered.

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

Exporting Resident Pets

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving the United Kingdom for another EU Member State must:

Be microchipped.
Be vaccinated for rabies (in that order) not sooner than 12 weeks of age and wait for 21 days after primary vaccination before leaving the United Kingdom.
Have a licensed veterinarian issue an Animal Health Certificate and other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements).

All dogs and cats leaving the United Kingdom for any other country must:

Be microchipped.
Be vaccinated for rabies (in that order) not sooner than 12 weeks of age.
Be subjected to a wait time after rabies vaccination according to their destination country requirements.
Have an Export Health Certificate issued in the United Kingdom for their destination country as well as all other permits, tests and treatments required by the destination country.

If your pet will visit or enter an unlisted country, a veterinarian in the United Kingdom should administer a rabies titer test before leaving the United Kingdom if your pet will be returning. Even if your pet is not entering an unlisted country, traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country.

Importing Other Pet Animals to the United Kingdom

Mammals and reptiles

Domesticated rodents, rabbits, reptiles entering the United Kingdom from an EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country must:

Be examined by a licensed veterinarian within five days of transport.
Show no signs of disease or external parasites.
Be accompanied by their owner.
Be less than five in number.

Rabbits entering the United Kingdom from any non-EU Member State will be quarantined for 4 months upon arrival.

Value Added Tax (VAT) will be due for pets entering the United Kingdom from the EU as well as any other country. If entering the United Kingdom as visitors, the VAT will be refunded when exiting the UK. It entering the United Kingdom for residency, a Transfer of Residency form must be filed for VAT to be refunded.

Pets returning to the UK from another EU country will not be charged VAT as long as proof that the pet exited the UK with the owner is provided.

Pets who have not been owned for at least 6 months or are being purchased are subject to 20% of the value of the pet and the cost of transport and import charges.

Bird Import

Birds from EU Member States entering the United Kingdom should have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian just prior to travel. They should travel with their owner. The purpose of the transport should not be for commercial reasons (see step 6).

Birds entering the United Kingdom with their owners from part 1 or 2 listed third countries must complete a health certificate as well as a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport in addition to the requirements below.

A health certificate and Owner’s Declaration must accompany your bird.

The import is not more than five birds.
The birds are identified by a non-removable, legible individual marking displaying an alpha-numeric code. Exception: the birds are transported directly to a quarantine facility in a sealed container.
Your pet must enter the United Kingdom at an approved border inspection point.

One of the following must occur:

Your bird must have undergone isolation for 30 days prior to export OR
Two vaccinations against avian influenza with the H5 vaccine between 60 days and six months of import OR
Ten days of isolation and undergone a test to detect the H5N1antigen or genome OR
30 days of quarantine in a registered premise in an approved quarantine facility in the United Kingdom AND
Birds that are covered by CITES must have appropriate permits AND
The wildlife authority in the exporting country may require export permits.

Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the destination country.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

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

Related: Search the CITES database

Related: Learn more about CITES

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements for the United Kingdom?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for the United Kingdom at minimal cost. Our information is current, verified and tailored to your pet’s itinerary.

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Here’s what is included in the United Kingdom pet passport package:

Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to the United Kingdom from any country available in six languages
Required Vaccinations and Intervals
ISO-Compliant Microchip Information
Titer Test Instructions and Overview (required when entering from an unlisted country)
Approved EU laboratories for the titer test
Parasite Treatments
Border Inspection Posts
IATA Carrier and Crate Requirements
Layover Considerations & Requirements for Airline Pet Travel
Responsibilities of a Pet Transporter
FREE unlimited email support both for you and your veterinarian, should either of you have any questions

Also included at no additional cost:

Non-Commercial or Commercial GB Health Certificate for Great Britain
Sample Completed GB Health Certificate for your Veterinarian
Non-Commercial or Commercial EU Health Certificate (Northern Ireland imports)
Sample Completed EU Health Certificate for your Veterinarian
Microchip Certificate
Airline Health Certificate

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to the United Kingdom?

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Current Information

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 United Kingdom pet import requirements.