How to Bring My Pet to the United Kingdom

Step 1. From Where Do You Travel?

Great Britain import pet requirements vary by country of departure. You will need to understand which country type, according to the United Kingdom, you belong to. Generally there are 4 major groups:

Bringing a pet to Great Britain from Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man — you will need to comply with only universal, medical rules.
Bringing a pet to Great Britain from EU member states + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland — simplified process.
Bringing a pet to Great Britain from listed non-EU countries — medical rules plus specific pet travel document.
Bringing a pet to Great Britain from unlisted non-EU countries — all rules above plus Rabies Titres test. Most difficult and exciting route, but you need to be prepared for a 3-month waiting period — exactly the time needed for the rabies titres to ripen.

Then check whether the rules of the departing country differ from the below. They may vary. You will need to compare and figure out your exact pet travel checklist.

Step 2. Medical Requirements to Bring a Pet to the United Kingdom

Microchip your pet. You need an ISO-compliant 15-digit microchip.
Place essential vaccinations: core feline and canine vaccines, rabies vaccine.
For unlisted countries — make a Rabies Antibody Titration Test at an approved lab.
Perform parasite treatment: except for classic external and internal parasites, the UK government also requires Echinococcus multilocularis treatment.

Make sure all data is available to read in your pet's travel document. Which one — find out below.

Step 3. Which Pet Travel Document Do You Need?

From Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man — nothing, only a microchip. If any vaccination record card is available — take it to show the transporter.
From EU member states + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland — if you are an EU citizen, an EU pet passport works. If not — Great Britain Export Health Certificate.
From listed non-EU countries — Great Britain Export Health Certificate. In some cases you can use an International Pet Passport, but to avoid any difficulties with the import process, we recommend you use the Export Certificate.
From unlisted non-EU countries — Great Britain Export Health Certificate.

If you are coming back to the UK with your pet with a valid AHC (Animal Health Certificate) — use it.

Step 4. How to Get a Great Britain Export Health Certificate?

Usually the exporting country's rules define the process of obtaining the Export Health Certificate. Find out yourself, or use our product. Warning: its the nightmare.

In general: an official veterinarian issues the Export Health Certificate, then the process divides into 2 branches depending on how the departing country officials creativeness handle it. In some countries the official vet can stamp it and that is the endorsement. In others — you will need to go with your pet to the agricultural department and endorse it there.

Step 5. How to Pass Customs in the UK with My Pet?

You need to declare your pet. The declaration form is available in our paid checklist — only $25. Yes, it was a nightmare to collect, automate and verify the data, that's why it's paid.

The movement is considered non-commercial if you bring fewer than 5 pets. Each pet shall have its own Great Britain Export Health Certificate or EU pet passport. You need to be the owner of the pet if you travel with it. If you are not the owner — you need a special paper: written permission from the owner. This permission must travel with the pet's travel documents.

Important Notes!

•       All pets must travel as cargo if they fly.
•       You can travel via the Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel Le Shuttle) with your pet.
•       XL Bully dogs are banned from import.
•       You can't release your pet as a private person via a cargo terminal — you will always need a broker.

Useful Links

• Travel routes for pets to arrive in Great Britain: https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/travel-routes-pets

• Banned breeds of dogs in Great Britain: https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/banned-dogs

• List of approved laboratories for Rabies Antibody Titration Tests: EC approved labs list