Pets (Dogs) 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Pet passport or health certificate required
Can I bring Pets (Dogs) into United Kingdom?
Pet passport or health certificate required
Up to 5 pets
- Microchip
- Rabies vaccination
- AHC or third-country veterinary certificate
- Tapeworm treatment
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Since Brexit, the UK no longer accepts EU pet passports for entry. Dogs from EU countries need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). Dogs from non-listed countries require rabies vaccination, blood test (30 days post-vaccination, 3 months before travel), microchip, and tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours before arrival. Enforcement in United Kingdom carries fines from GBP 250 to GBP 20,000 under Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 s.78, s.170 (typical personal cases are handled as civil infringements).
PENALTIES
- Fine: 250–20000 GBP
- Civil penalty only
Leaving United Kingdom with pets (dogs)
Dog export from United Kingdom requires a veterinary export health certificate issued shortly before departure (typically within 10 days), an ISO microchip, and current rabies vaccination. The destination's import rules drive the real timeline: rabies-titre blood tests with waiting periods (up to 180 days for rabies-free jurisdictions such as Australia, New Zealand, and Japan), import permits, and quarantine bookings must be arranged months ahead. Airlines add their own container (IATA Live Animals Regulations) and breed restrictions. Start with the destination's official import checklist and work backwards.
For non-listed countries, start the process at least 4 months before travel due to the blood test waiting period.
Up to 5 pets
- Microchip
- Rabies vaccination
- AHC or third-country veterinary certificate
- Tapeworm treatment
The Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order 2011
This page covers destination customs rules in United Kingdom. Whether you can carry pets (dogs) through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Pets (Dogs) rules in other countries
Pets (Dogs)
🇦🇺 Australia
Minimum 10-day quarantine, extensive documentation
Pets (Dogs)
🇯🇵 Japan
180-day quarantine unless pre-qualified
Pets (Dogs)
🇸🇬 Singapore
AVS licence required, breed restrictions apply
Pets (Dogs)
🇺🇸 United States
CDC import rules tightened in 2024
Pets (Dogs)
🇩🇪 Germany
EU Pet Passport from EU; AHC from non-EU
Pets (Dogs)
🇨🇦 Canada
Valid rabies vaccination required