The United Kingdom requires all pets to enter as manifest cargo through approved airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Manchester. Pets must have an ISO microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and USDA-endorsed health certificate. Dogs require mandatory tapeworm treatment before arrival. No quarantine is required if documentation is complete.
Companies Listed
25
Quarantine
Not Required
Common Pets
dogs, cats
Requirements
7 documented
Key Import Requirements
ISO 15-digit microchip required (implanted before rabies vaccination)
Tapeworm treatment for dogs 24-120 hours before arrival
USDA-endorsed health certificate required
Pets must enter as manifest cargo only (no cabin travel)
Entry only through approved airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester)
Wolf hybrids and certain Bengal/Savannah cats restricted
Import requirements by pet type
Requirements for relocating a pet to United Kingdom vary significantly by species. Below are the rules for birds, horses, and exotic pets — dogs and cats are covered in the key requirements above.
Birds
Import permitted
A private owner can bring up to five pet birds into Great Britain from a third country. The birds need an APHA import licence, a GB birds health certificate signed by an official vet, and individual identification. APHA must be notified at least one working day ahead, and entry is only via Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow or Glasgow airport.
Maximum of five pet birds travelling with one owner or their representative under non-commercial rules
Obtain an import licence issued by the APHA Centre for International Trade (CIT) before travel
Travel on a GB model birds (live) health certificate signed by an Official Veterinarian in the country of origin; birds must come from a WOAH (OIE) member country
Individually identify each bird (clip, leg band, microchip or tag) so it can be traced to its premises of origin
Notify APHA at least one working day before arrival and enter via Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow or Glasgow airport, where APHA arranges import checks
For CITES-listed species (e.g. many parrots), obtain the required CITES permits before travel
These are the pet-owner (PBTC/2) rules; they differ from the stricter commercial captive-bird Balai regime (CBTC/2), which requires premises-of-origin residency, pre-export avian-influenza/Newcastle-disease testing and 30 days of quarantine in an approved facility. A rabies import licence may also be required, and rules can tighten during avian influenza outbreaks. Confirmed against the GB pet bird Import Information Note PBTC/2.
Horses
Import permitted
Horses can be imported into Great Britain from a third country on an endorsed GB equine health certificate (GBHC series, e.g. GBHC655 for permanent admission). A negative equine infectious anaemia (EIA/Coggins) test is required, and stallions and entire males generally need equine viral arteritis testing. Healthy, fully-documented horses are not routinely quarantined on arrival.
Travel on the relevant endorsed GB health certificate (e.g. GBHC650-655 depending on permanent admission, temporary admission, transit or re-entry)
Negative equine infectious anaemia (EIA/Coggins or ELISA) test on a blood sample taken within the window specified on the certificate
Stallions and other entire males: equine viral arteritis (EVA) testing as required by the certificate before export
Identification document/passport and the pre-export disease-freedom and examination conditions set out in the health certificate
Origin region confirmed free of relevant listed diseases (e.g. African horse sickness, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis); additional tests may apply depending on origin
Different GB equine health certificate forms apply depending on whether the horse is registered or unregistered and whether it is for permanent admission, temporary admission, transit or re-entry. Exact EIA and EVA test windows are set out in the specific certificate, which should be checked for the route. Healthy horses meeting all conditions are not routinely quarantined.
Reptiles
Import permitted
Pet reptiles can be brought into Great Britain, but most popular species (tortoises, many lizards and snakes) are CITES-listed and require permits. You generally need a CITES export permit from the country of origin plus a CITES import permit issued by APHA, and CITES specimens must be presented to Border Force at a designated point of entry.
Confirm the species' CITES listing; CITES-listed reptiles need a CITES export permit from the country of origin
Obtain a CITES import permit from APHA, the UK CITES management authority, before the specimen moves
Present CITES documents to UK Border Force and enter via a designated point of entry
Apply in good time; APHA aims to process CITES permit applications within around 30 days
Provide documentation of the animal's legal origin and provenance
An Article 10 (commercial use) certificate is only needed if an Annex A specimen is used for commercial purposes, not for simply keeping a personal pet, so the previously stated flat 'Article 10 required to keep' rule and the GBP 31 fee were removed. Non-CITES reptiles face fewer hurdles but still need correct documentation and a designated point of entry. Some species are restricted under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. There is no rabies/quarantine regime for reptiles, but undocumented specimens are seized.
Pet-type requirements researched and last updated June 2026. Always confirm current rules with the destination’s government authority before booking — regulations change frequently.
How much does it cost to ship a pet to United Kingdom?
A full-service move to the United Kingdom typically costs $2,170–$5,130 for a medium dog, covering the airline cargo fee, IATA crate, vet and USDA documents, import permit, customs clearance. Typical process time: 5–7 days.
