🇬🇧 Pet Import to United Kingdom

The United Kingdom operates the GB Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), which sets out the conditions under which dogs, cats, and ferrets may enter Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) without undergoing quarantine. Since Brexit took effect on 1 January 2021, the rules diverged significantly from the former EU-aligned regime. The EU Pet Passport is no longer accepted for pets travelling from outside the EU into Great Britain; instead, travellers must obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an official or authorised veterinarian in the country of departure. Pets returning to Great Britain from a trip abroad must carry a GB Pet Health Certificate for re-entry. All pets must be fitted with an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip implanted before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. A valid rabies vaccination is mandatory; the primary course must be completed and any required waiting period observed before travel. Dogs additionally require tapeworm treatment using praziquantel or an equivalent approved product, administered by a licensed vet no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (one to five days) before the scheduled arrival time at the UK border. Entry must be made via a Defra-approved route. Approved points of entry include designated airports, sea ports, and the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone; pets arriving at unapproved routes will be refused entry or placed in quarantine at the owner's expense. The Heathrow Animal Reception Centre handles live animal arrivals at Heathrow Airport and is one of the main processing facilities for air arrivals. All documentation must be endorsed by a government veterinarian in the country of departure. Northern Ireland has a distinct arrangement: it continues to follow EU pet-movement rules and is treated as part of the EU Single Market for animal health purposes, meaning EU Pet Passports remain valid for travel into Northern Ireland. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds face additional restrictions or refusal by many airlines due to respiratory risks during air transport. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, four breeds are banned in Great Britain — pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo Argentino, and fila Brasileiro — and cannot be brought into the country regardless of compliance with health requirements.