Moving your dog or cat from Australia to United Kingdom
Short answer: start at least 45 days before your flight. Rules last checked against official sources on 2026-10-30.
This page and the planner are generated automatically from official government sources. Planning tool only — not veterinary, legal or professional advice; no human expert reviews your plan. Always confirm with your vet, the official authority and your airline.
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Australia → United Kingdom pet import requirements
| Requirement | Status | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microchip | required | ISO 11784 (HDX or FDX-B) microchip readable by an ISO 11785 reader, implanted before or at the rabies vaccination; the chip must be read on the day of vaccination. | official |
| Rabies vaccine | required | Inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine at 12+ weeks of age (Australian vaccines are generally registered from 3 months), after the microchip; travel at least 21 full days after the primary vaccination. | official |
| Rabies titer test (RNATT) | conditional | Not needed for direct flights or transit via listed countries (Australia is listed). Needed only if the pet transits a non-listed country without the transit declaration. | official |
| Health certificate / endorsement | required | Great Britain pet health certificate (non-commercial), in English, completed by a registered vet and endorsed by a DAFF departmental veterinary officer together with the export permit. The pet must enter GB within 10 days of issue. Cats also need a DAFF certificate (Hendra: not resident on a confirmed Hendra property in the last 60 days, based on your declaration). | official |
| Import permit / pre-notification | required | No GB import permit for pets travelling non-commercially. Australian side: submit a Notice of Intention (NOI) to export at least 10 working days before departure; DAFF issues the export permit (fees apply) and the pet must leave within 72 hours of issue. | official |
| Quarantine | conditional | None if all rules are met; otherwise quarantine of up to 4 months (or refusal) at the owner's cost. | official |
| Tapeworm treatment | required | Dogs only: Echinococcus tapeworm treatment by a vet 24–120 hours before the scheduled entry into GB. | official |
| Approved routes / airports | required | Use an approved airline and route; on planes pets travel as cargo. IATA-standard crate, inspected by your registered vet before use. | official |
| Breed restrictions | required | Banned types: Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, XL Bully (judged by appearance; exemption certificate needed). | official |
| Other | required | Non-commercial = up to 5 pets travelling within 5 days of the owner (or authorised person), not for sale. Otherwise the commercial certificate (GBHC640) and different rules apply. | official |
Order of steps
- Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785) — at least 22 days before the flight. Implant before or at the rabies vaccination; the vet must read the chip on the vaccination day.
- Rabies vaccination — at least 22 days before the flight. At least 21 full days before entering GB (day 1 = day after vaccination). Pet 12+ weeks (Australian vaccines: usually 3+ months). Ask the vet if the vaccine needs longer.
- Book an approved airline route (pet travels as cargo) — at least 45 days before the flight. Recommended timing: book about 6 weeks ahead — cargo space is limited. Use an IATA-standard crate and show it to your vet before use.
- Submit the Notice of Intention (NOI) to export to DAFF — at least 14 days before the flight. Email the NOI and documents to the DAFF regional office of departure at least 10 working days before departure; nominate the pre-export appointment date. A fee applies.
- Cats: sign the Hendra residency declaration — at least 3 days before the flight. DAFF certifies, based on your declaration, that the cat has not lived on a property with confirmed Hendra disease in the 60 days before export.
- Final vet examination + health and welfare declaration — between 3 and 1 days before the flight. With your registered vet within 72 hours of departure; you and the vet sign the pre-export health and welfare inspection declaration. Must be before the DAFF appointment.
- Tapeworm treatment (dogs) — between 4 and 1 days before the flight (dogs). By a vet 24–120 hours before the scheduled time of entry into GB (count from arrival, not departure).
- DAFF appointment: export permit + endorsed GB pet health certificate — between 3 and 1 days before the flight. The departmental veterinary officer checks documents and endorses all pages. The pet must leave Australia within 72 hours of the permit and enter GB within 10 days of the certificate.
- Sign the owner declaration and travel — at least 0 days before the flight. Non-commercial declaration (pet travels within 5 days of you, not for sale). Carry originals of all certificates.
Items marked “verify” could not be fully confirmed; check the official source and your vet.