Bringing your pet to the United Kingdom? We’ve handled thousands of pet exports to the UK — let us help with yours.
Traveling to the United Kingdom with your pet is no easy feat, even if you’re coming from a country without “extra” requirements. The basic prerequisites are tough enough!
Our step-by-step guide for pets traveling to the UK details every piece of the process, including when to call in the experts for your pet’s trip across the pond.
Eligible Pets and Country Restrictions
It is illegal to own certain types of dogs in the UK. Additional restrictions may apply depending on what your dog looks like rather than the breed itself.
Eligible Pets
You can bring up to 5 pets (dogs, cats, ferrets, rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish) into the UK.
The UK has a ban on the following breeds and types of dogs:
- Pit bull terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- American XL bully
XL bullies are the largest type of American bully dog. Identification comes down to measurements that include the dog’s height, head shape, neck size, and body type. Read more about physical conformation standards.
It’s up to the pet owner to prove a dog isn’t on the banned list if you don’t already have a valid Certificate of Exemption.
These certificates aren’t something you apply for but are awarded by the courts. They are limited to those already in the UK and need to be revised if there is a transfer of residency. Assume that if you have a banned breed, you won’t be flying with them.
Approved Countries
The rules for pet travel are most permissive for pets from the EU, pets with pet passports, or pets with active health certificates from the UK. All other pets fall into either the “listed” or “not listed” categories for countries, with requirements differing by origin point.
If you’re traveling from a country that’s on their list — this includes the United States — your pet will travel on either a pet passport or pet health certificate. Pets from the U.S. will need pet health certificates.
Countries that don’t appear on the list will need to meet standard requirements plus a rabies blood test. Samples must be taken at least 30 days after the pet’s rabies vaccination. You’ll also need to wait 3 months from the date the sample is taken before you travel. Learn more about pets traveling from unlisted countries.
Microchip and Vaccinations
Your pet will need a scannable microchip and up-to-date rabies vaccinations without lapses in coverage to fly to the UK.
Microchip
Implantation of microchips should happen before or at the same time as your pet’s rabies vaccinations. Microchip information should appear on your pet’s passport and relevant health certificates.
Microchips should be compliant with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.
Pets traveling with alternative microchips that can’t be scanned by ISO readers may face delays or additional quarantine time upon arrival. You may need to bring your own microchip reader in this case, although some airlines may not allow pets without ISO-compliant microchips.
A professional pet shipping company can help you navigate import requirements, starting with microchip validity, to avoid any potential snags when your pet arrives in the UK.
Vaccinations
All dogs, cats, and ferrets will need proof of a rabies vaccine. Pets receiving their first vaccine, or primary rabies vaccine, must wait 21 days – but no longer than a full calendar year – after their vaccination before traveling.
Three-year booster rabies vaccinations are accepted as long as they were given within one year of a primary rabies vaccination. It’s important to note here that in the UK, pets are boosted one year after their primary round of vaccines.
Additional rules may apply depending on your country of origin. Again, pets flying from “not listed” countries will need a rabies blood test upon arrival. Cats from Australia will need a health certificate confirming their cat hasn’t been exposed to the Hendra virus.
Check with your vet or pet shipper about additional recommended vaccines. The National Office of Animal Health in the UK recommends the “core 3” for traveling pets: canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), and canine adenovirus (CAV), or hepatitis.
For dogs that will be spending time with other dogs in kennel facilities, we recommend vaccines covering Bordetella, canine parainfluenza virus (CPI), and leptospirosis.
Recommended vaccines for cats include feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), calicivirus, and panleukopenia (feline distemper).
Blood Tests and Treatments
If you’re traveling with a dog, they must be treated for tapeworm no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours, or 5 days, before entering the UK. You can skip the treatment if you’re coming directly from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta, or Norway.
Tapeworm treatments should contain praziquantel or an equivalent proven effective against Echinococcus multilocularis. If you’re not able to show proof of a tapeworm treatment upon arrival, your pet may be placed in quarantine.
Import Documents
Unless you’re traveling from the EU or a country where approved pet passports are issued (that’s not the United States), your pet will need one of 2 types of international health certificates.
We’ll detail the 2 certificate options available, but keep in mind that your airline may have additional requirements for you to complete prior to air travel.
Non-Commercial
This health certificate is also known as the Annex IV document. It’s reserved for pets flying within 5 days of their owner’s arrival in the destination country.
You can also designate a pickup person for your pet, such as a family member or a representative from a professional pet transport company, but this must be authorized in writing.
Annex IV documents are valid for 30 days after they’re issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. Your local USDA office must then endorse the certificate within 10 days of travel for your pet, so there is some time between those 2 steps.
Commercial
Also known as the Annex I document, pets flying “commercially” are doing so without their owner. This is generally used by those selling or rehoming pets, but it can also affect those unable to reunite with their pets within the 5-day timeframe limits for non-commercial certificates.
These certificates are only valid for 48 hours after they’re issued, so a USDA endorsement will need to happen within that tight timeframe.If you have no choice but to pursue an Annex I certificate for your pet, timing your travel appropriately is essential. The USDA doesn’t endorse health certificates on Sundays, for example.
Airline Options
There are several carriers that offer flights from the United States to London, but American Airlines and British Airways are the 2 with consistent non-stop flights.
KLM is a popular option for traveling pets, for example, but you’ll need to navigate a layover in the EU before heading on to the destination.
Pets traveling on American Airlines do so on a separate ticket in cargo on their American PetEmbark service. The airline asks that you use pet relocation services or a broker to handle the process to ensure that your pet isn’t missing anything once they arrive.
If you choose British Airways, your pet will travel via IAG Cargo, their cargo arm. On either option, pets will be stored in the aircraft’s secure, temperature-controlled cargo hold for the journey to their new home. All cargo flights meet strict IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR).The only exception for cargo travel is registered service dogs, which can fly with you in-cabin. Small dogs that may be able to fly with you in-cabin back home must still arrive in the UK as cargo for transfers to quarantine facilities once they’re on the ground.
Quarantine
Unlike countries like Australia, the UK doesn’t require a multi-day quarantine period for arriving pets. Quarantine facilities are used to house pets for short periods of time as their paperwork moves through customs clearance.
There are 2 main facilities in the UK. Animal Aircare, contracted with British Airways, operates out of both Gatwick and Heathrow airports. The Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC) is contracted with American Airlines.
These facilities work with the airlines to get pets returned to their owners as efficiently as possible, as long as there are no issues with their paperwork. Any issues could mean a delay and prolonged quarantine stay.
Facilities are open 7 days per week. Even for short stays, pets are removed from their travel crates and given water, fresh bedding, and a bathroom break. Experienced staff check for any health concerns. Most pets are reunited with their owners within 6 hours of landing.
How Tailwind Can Help
We know that thinking about pet moves isn’t inherently stress-free. When it involves an international destination with layers of paperwork and logistics to handle, the process can feel even more overwhelming.
At Tailwind, we’re here for our clients from door-to-door, even if obstacles arise along the way. We’re here not only for your peace of mind but also for the safety of your pet from the start to the finish of their journey.
Ready to get started? Each situation is a little different, so to get an idea of the costs involved, contact us.
What Our Clients Have to Say
“Flew our 9 year old Vizsla, Whisky, from LAX to LHR last summer. Great service from the veterinary requirements to the actual moving of the the dog. Literally door to door service and a happy boy at the other end.
Fast forward to March 2024 and needed to take him to South America.
Had the complete run around from the airline and UK providers trying to work out how best to do it; crate dimensions allowable; excess baggage or cargo? Called Brady, who gave me chapter and verse. Great customer service!”
– Dr. W
“Happy dog in London!
Brady was amazing — getting us through the complicated process of moving our pup from LA to London. He was with us every step and coordinated all the moving pieces. From the vet to the person who got our dog on his travel day, the whole team is lovely. Our Havanese is now living his best life thanks to Tailwind Global. To pet owners — don’t worry — your dog will be just fine. Darwin came out of his plane crate wagging his tail when he was delivered to our new house.”
–Jessica Tornek
“My family moved from San Francisco to London in March 2024 and Tailwind arranged the move of our Dalmatian. Brady Wheeler, Tailwind’s Operations Manager, walked us through the vaccination requirements, arranged for the export health certificate and its endorsement with the USDA. He also proposed a more cost efficient route for us to bring our Dalmatian over to London, for which we are super grateful! The whole process was expertly handled and organized. This was definitely the least stressful part of the move due to Tailwind’s superb handling of our dog’s move to London. I can’t recommend them enough and Brady, in particular!”
–Katerina Syomina