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

A pet passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021 (EU imports only)
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)

Important Note:
Wales is no longer a part of the European Union (EU); however, their regulations regarding the import of pets are similar to those of the EU.

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 WALES below.

Pets in Wales

Pets are considered part of the family in many Welsh households. Dogs are extremely popular in Wales. Cats are widely kept as pets, valued for their companionship and independence. Pet birds such as budgerigars, canaries, and parrots are popular among bird enthusiasts. Pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and ferrets are common, especially in families with children.

Pet ownership regulations in Wales include mandatory vaccinations for dogs and cats. Microchipping is required for dogs and cats. There are also leash laws and regulations regarding the control of dogs in public places.

Stray animals are less of an issue in Wales compared to some other regions, thanks to effective animal control measures and a high rate of responsible pet ownership. Veterinary services, pet grooming, and boarding facilities are widely available.

There are numerous pet-related events such as dog shows, pet expos, adoption fairs, and charity walks/runs for pets. Many parks, beaches, and hiking trails in Wales are pet-friendly, providing areas where pets can exercise and socialize. Some cities also have designated dog parks. Pet-friendly businesses, including cafes and hotels, are also common.

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 Wales

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Wales 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 Wales must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-8 should be followed in the order given.

Step 1: Country Classifications

The United Kingdom (and Wales) classifies countries as either:

The requirements to import a dog, cat, or ferret to Wales 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 Wales

Step 2: Type of Transport

The United Kingdom (and Wales) 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 Wales 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 Wales 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 Great Britain (and Wales) must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted.

If entering Wales 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 Great Britain (and Wales) 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

Great Britain and Wales do 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 Wales 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 Great Britain three (3) calendar months after the date the blood was drawn for the test and avoid quarantine.

The test is valid to enter Wales 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 Wales 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 Great Britain (and Wales), 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 Great Britain (and Wales) 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 Great Britain and Wales 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.

Non-Commercial Transport to Great Britain (and Wales) from an EU Member State or Part 1 Listed Third Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply unless your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel. Step 7 applies unless your pet enters Great Britain directly from Ireland, Norway, Malta, or Finland.

Pets will need one of the following documents when entering Great Britain (and Wales) from another EU Member State:

A current EU Pet Passport or Pet Passport issued in a part 1 listed third country
An Animal Health Certificate that was issued in Great Britain that is less than 4 months old. The rabies vaccination listed on the certificate must still be valid.
A pet passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021 or
A GB Health Certificate issued within 10 days of import

Non-Commercial Transport to Great Britain (and Wales) from a Part 2 Listed or Unlisted Country

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 Great Britain (and Wales) 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 Great Britain (and Wales) from Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands

Currently, there are no health certificates required for pets entering Great Britain and Wales from Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.

Commercial Transport to Great Britain (and Wales) from an EU Member State

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply. Step 7 applies unless your pet enters Great Britain (and Wales) 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 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 Great Britain.

Commercial Transport to Great Britain (and Wales) from a Part 1 and 2 Listed Third Country

Steps 2, 3 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 Great Britain.

Commercial Transport to Great Britain (and Wales) from an Unlisted Country

Steps 3, 4, 5 and 7 apply.

Note: Pets can only enter Great Britain (and Wales) 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 Great Britain. This system tracks the import, export and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving Great Britain.

More information

Importing Dogs and Cats to Wales from Malaysia and Australia

If your pet is entering Great Britain (and Wales) 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 10 days of export.

Cats may only enter Great Britain (and Wales) 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, Kittens and Kits to Wales

Puppies, kittens and kits (baby ferrets) must not be vaccinated for rabies under 12 weeks of age. Unvaccinated pets are not permitted to enter Great Britain and Wales 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 Great Britain and Wales from EU Member States and part 1 or 2 listed third countries is 15 weeks of age. The minimum age of import to Great Britain and Wales from an unlisted country is seven months of age.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned from Import to Wales

The following breeds or their mixes are not permitted to enter or transit Great Britain or Wales:

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 Great Britain or Wales with any of these breeds or their mixes.

Note: the ban also applies to dogs that spend time in Great Britain 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 fo exemption when importing their dogs. Only dogs who are returning to Great Britain and Wales after being placed on the exemption list can reenter the UK.

Flying a Pet to Wales

Due to regulations set by commercial airlines approved to fly animals to Wales, pets must arrive as manifest cargo on an approved airline unless they are medically certified service dogs, and your airline has a program that supports the transport of these dogs in the cabin. Pet crates used in air cargo travel must be in compliance with the International Air Transport Association regulations.

Unless entering from Ireland, accompanied pets entering by air from outside the EU must do so on an approved airline at Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) in London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Manchester, jEdinburg or Glasgow as there are no approved BIPs in Wales.

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

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

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

When traveling by private charter aircraft, pets can enter Great Britain 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.

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 Great Britain 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 via land ports 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 Great Britain. 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 Wales 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 Wales.
Have a licensed veterinarian issue an Animal Health Certificate and other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements).

All dogs and cats leaving Wales 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 Wales 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 Wales should administer a rabies titer test before leaving Wales 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 Great Britain (and Wales)

Domesticated rodents, rabbits, reptiles entering Great Britain 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 5 in number.

Rabbits entering Great Britain from any non-EU Member State will be quarantined for four months upon arrival.

Value Added Tax (VAT) will be due for pets entering Great Britain from the EU as well as any other country. If entering Great Britain (and Wales) as visitors, the VAT will be refunded when exiting Great Britain or Wales. If entering Wales 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 Great Britain (and Wales) 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 Great Britain (and Wales) 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 Great Britain 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
10 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 Great Britain 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 and Forms for Wales?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Wales 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 Wales pet passport package:

Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Wales 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 EU Health Certificate for Wales
Sample Completed Health Certificate for your Veterinarian
Microchip Certificate
Airline Health Certificate

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Wales?

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Please note that the accuracy of comments made below by 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.

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 Wales pet import requirements.