Moving your dog or cat from United States 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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United States → United Kingdom pet import requirements
| Requirement | Status | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microchip | required | ISO 11784/11785 microchip (15 digits), implanted on or before the date of the primary rabies vaccination. | official |
| Rabies vaccine | required | Rabies vaccine after the microchip; wait at least 21 days (or the manufacturer's immunity period, sometimes 30) after the primary vaccination. Pet must be at least 15 weeks old at entry. For the UK a primary vaccination is valid only 1 year. | official |
| Rabies titer test (RNATT) | not required | Not needed: the USA is a 'listed' country for Great Britain. | official |
| Health certificate / endorsement | required | Great Britain pet health certificate (non-commercial): a USDA-accredited vet completes it (valid 30 days), APHIS must endorse it within 10 days before arrival; owner signs the declaration and adds the APHIS certificate number. | 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: tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment, praziquantel recommended, by a USDA-accredited vet 24–120 hours before entering the UK; may be after APHIS endorsement. | official |
| Approved routes / airports | required | Use an approved route and carrier; on planes pets must travel as cargo (except chartered private planes and assistance dogs). | 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 | Different (commercial) rules apply if the pet travels more than 5 days before/after you, if 6+ pets, or if it will be sold/rehomed. | official |
Order of steps
- Microchip your pet (ISO, 15 digits) — at least 22 days before the flight. Implant on or before the day of the rabies vaccination; the vet scans it first.
- Rabies vaccination — at least 22 days before the flight. Arrive at least 21 days after a primary vaccination (day of vaccination = day 0). Ask your vet if the vaccine needs 30 days and plan for that. Pet must be 15+ weeks old at entry.
- 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. Check the airline's own pet rules.
- USDA-accredited vet completes the GB pet health certificate — between 30 and 10 days before the flight. The vet's signature is valid 30 days; plan this so APHIS can endorse within the 10-day window.
- APHIS endorses the certificate (ink signature + emboss) — between 10 and 2 days before the flight. Must be within 10 days before arrival in the UK. Submitted by your vet via VEHCS; the original must be mailed back and travel with the pet.
- Tapeworm treatment (dogs) — between 5 and 1 days before the flight (dogs). By a USDA-accredited vet 24–120 hours before entering the UK, recorded in section II.4 of the certificate.
- Sign the owner declaration — at least 0 days before the flight. Final page of the certificate; enter the APHIS certificate number. Carry originals of all rabies certificates.
Items marked “verify” could not be fully confirmed; check the official source and your vet.