Moving a pet to United Kingdom
Permit-driven or window-sensitive: import permits, home quarantine registration or tight treatment timing.
Destination requirements apply to every origin. Document steps below reference USDA APHIS/VEHCS because they are the most common departure route; if you are moving from another country, the equivalent filing is handled by your national veterinary authority.
Quick rules summary
| Governing body | DEFRA / APHA |
|---|---|
| Mandatory lead time | 1–2 months |
| Rabies titer test (FAVN) | No |
| Import permit | No |
| Post-arrival quarantine | 0 days |
| Microchip mandate | ISO chip before or on the same day as the rabies vaccine |
| Primary failure point | Microchip implanted after the rabies vaccination, or tapeworm treatment given outside the 24–120 hour window. |
Biosecurity & veterinary protocol
Entry rules depend on both your departure country and your destination. The endorsement steps below are written for the US-departure route (USDA APHIS via VEHCS); from any other origin, the equivalent step is an export health certificate endorsed by your national government veterinary authority.
- 1
Implant an ISO-compliant microchip before, or on the same day as, the primary rabies vaccination.
- 2
Observe a 21-day wait after the primary rabies vaccination before entry.
- 3
Dogs need a veterinary-administered tapeworm (Praziquantel) treatment between 24 and 120 hours (1–5 days) before entry.
- 4
Non-commercial movement (five or fewer pets travelling within five days of the owner): health certificate endorsed by USDA APHIS within 10 days of arrival.
- 5
Commercial movement (pets travelling more than five days apart from the owner, or six or more pets): commercial health certificate endorsed by USDA within 48 hours of departure.
- 6
Pets must arrive via an approved route and approved transport operator.
Breed & airline warnings
Banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act: Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully.
Brachycephalic breeds are embargoed from cargo by most transatlantic carriers.
Crates must follow IATA Live Animals Regulations: L = A + ½B, W = 2C, H = D + bedding. Two compatible animals up to 14 kg (30 lbs) each may share a crate; heavier animals travel individually. Check your breed →
Your United Kingdom timeline
Build my pet's relocation plan
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Tell us where your pet is travelling from and to, and we'll build a route-specific plan: the earliest realistic travel date, the steps that actually determine it, every deadline, and any quarantine on arrival.
- • Rules resolved per corridor — never a generic US or EU timeline.
- • Counts what your pet has already had done.
- • Tells you plainly when a corridor still needs verification.