Health Certificates: Shipments WITH DOGS from the U.S. to the United Kingdom/Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands and Isle of Man)

Last Modified: April 16, 2024

Important!

Before choosing one of the health certificates below, you must read United Kingdom/Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pet travel requirements.

NOTICE:  In the UK, it’s against the law to own certain types of dog. View prohibited dog breeds.  

Five (5) or less dogs, cats and/or ferrets

Choose the option below that best fits your pet's travel plans.

Selecting the appropriate option will give you access to the required health certificate with pre-lined out statements to indicate the pet's rabies vaccination status and type of travel. If the line outs do not print, the USDA Accredited Veterinarian must manually add the line outs and initial them in pen.

Dogs must be treated for tapeworm, specifically Echinococcus multilocularis, by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian between 24 and 120 hours (1 and 5 days) before entering the UK.

The pets must arrive in the UK within 10 days from the date APHIS endorses the health certificate. For pets traveling to the UK by sea, the 10 days is extended by the duration of sea travel.

Pets 15 weeks of age or older whose rabies vaccination was given more than 21 days before arriving in the UK, OR pets 1 year of age or older who have been continuously vaccinated for rabies since receiving their primary rabies vaccination will complete the certificate below.

Veterinary Health Certificate for Dogs, Cats, and/or Ferrets 15 weeks of age or older (non-commercial) (277.65 KB)


Entering the UK through London Heathrow? Have your paperwork pre-checked by Heathrow Animal Reception Center (194.33 KB) prior to APHIS endorsement.

NOTICE: Pets less than 15 weeks old that were either 1) not vaccinated for rabies or 2) vaccinated for rabies less than 21 days prior to entry into the EU are NOT ALLOWED.

*Designated person is a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the owner to travel with the pets.

Dogs must be treated for tapeworm, specifically Echinococcus multilocularis, by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian between 24 and 120 hours (1 and 5 days) before entering the UK.

The pets must arrive in the UK within 10 days from the date APHIS endorses the health certificate. For pets traveling to the UK by sea, the 10 days is extended by the duration of sea travel.

Pets 15 weeks of age or older whose rabies vaccination was given more than 21 days before arriving in the UK, OR pets 1 year of age or older who have been continuously vaccinated for rabies since receiving their primary rabies vaccination will complete the certificate below.

Veterinary Health Certificate for Dogs, Cats, and/or Ferrets 15 weeks of age or older (non-commercial) (276.5 KB)


Entering the UK through London Heathrow? Have your paperwork pre-checked by Heathrow Animal Reception Center (194.33 KB) prior to APHIS endorsement.

NOTICE: Pets less than 15 weeks old that were either 1) not vaccinated for rabies or 2) vaccinated for rabies less than 21 days prior to entry into the EU are NOT ALLOWED.

*Designated person is a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the owner to travel with the pets.

Dogs must be treated for tapeworm, specifically Echinococcus multilocularis, by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian between 24 and 120 hours (1 and 5 days) before entering the UK.

The pets must arrive in the UK within 10 days from the date APHIS endorses the health certificate. For pets traveling to the UK by sea, the 10 days is extended by the duration of sea travel.

Pets 15 weeks of age or older whose rabies vaccination was given more than 21 days before arriving in the UK, OR pets 1 year of age or older who have been continuously vaccinated for rabies since receiving their primary rabies vaccination will complete the certificate below.

Veterinary Health Certificate for Dogs, Cats, and/or Ferrets 15 weeks of age or older (non-commercial) (274.65 KB)


Entering the UK through London Heathrow? Have your paperwork pre-checked by Heathrow Animal Reception Center (194.33 KB) prior to APHIS endorsement.

NOTICE: Pets less than 15 weeks old that were either 1) not vaccinated for rabies or 2) vaccinated for rabies less than 21 days prior to entry into the EU are NOT ALLOWED.

*Designated person is a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the owner to travel with the pets.

Notice: The pets must leave the U.S. within 48 hours from the date the Accredited Veterinarian issues the "Commercial" health certificate.

Pets 15 weeks of age or older whose rabies vaccination was given more than 21 days before arriving in the UK, OR pets 1 year of age or older who have been continuously vaccinated for rabies since receiving their primary rabies vaccination will complete the certificate below.

Veterinary Health Certificate for Dogs, Cats, and/or Ferrets 15 weeks of age or older (commercial) 

IMPORTANT:  Please read rabies vaccine and other requirements.

NOTICE: Pets less than 15 weeks old that were either 1) not vaccinated for rabies or 2) vaccinated for rabies less than 21 days prior to entry into the EU are NOT ALLOWED.

Six (6) or more dogs, cats and/or ferrets

Choose the option below that best fits your pet's travel plans.

Selecting the appropriate option will give you access to the required health certificate with pre-lined out statements to indicate the pet's rabies vaccination status and type of travel. If the line outs do not print, the USDA Accredited Veterinarian must manually add the line outs and initial them in pen.

NOTICE: Pets less than 15 weeks old that were either 1) not vaccinated for rabies or 2) vaccinated for rabies less than 21 days prior to entry into the EU are NOT ALLOWED.

Dogs must be treated for tapeworm, specifically Echinococcus multilocularis, by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian between 24 and 120 hours (1 and 5 days) before entering the UK.


Notice: The pets must leave the U.S. within 48 hours from the date the Accredited Veterinarian issues the "Commercial" health certificate.

Pets 15 weeks of age or older whose rabies vaccination was given more than 21 days before arriving in the UK, OR pets 1 year of age or older who have been continuously vaccinated for rabies since receiving their primary rabies vaccination will complete the certificate below.

Veterinary Health Certificate for Dogs, Cats, and/or Ferrets 15 weeks of age or older (commercial)

IMPORTANT:  Please read rabies vaccine and other requirements.

NOTICE: Pets less than 15 weeks old that were either 1) not vaccinated for rabies or 2) vaccinated for rabies less than 21 days prior to entry into the EU are NOT ALLOWED.

Dogs must be treated for tapeworm, specifically Echinococcus multilocularis, by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian between 24 and 120 hours (1 and 5 days) before entering the UK.

Choose the health certificate below based on the travel situation.

Written documentation of the receipt of entry to the event may need to be provided at the time of entry into the UK.

The pets must arrive in the UK within 10 days from the date APHIS endorses the health certificate. For pets traveling to the UK by sea, the 10 days is extended by the duration of sea travel.

Pets 6 months of age or older whose rabies vaccination was given more than 21 days before arriving in the UK, OR pets 1 year of age or older who have been continuously vaccinated for rabies since receiving their primary rabies vaccination will complete the certificate below.

Owner traveling on the same plane as the pets

Veterinary Health certificate for Dogs, Cats, and/or Ferrets (non-commercial) (275.51 KB)

Designated Person* traveling on the same plane as the pets

Veterinary Health certificate for Dogs, Cats, and/or Ferrets (non-commercial) (275.02 KB)

Pet Transport or Airline Cargo is solely responsible for shipping the pets AND the owner or designated person* has traveled or will travel WITHIN 5 DAYS of the pets

Veterinary Health Certificate for Dogs, Cats, and/or Ferrets (non-commercial) (278.08 KB)

*Designated person is a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the owner to travel with the pets.


Entering the UK through London Heathrow? Have your paperwork pre-checked by Heathrow Animal Reception Center (194.33 KB) prior to APHIS endorsement.

Important Travel Considerations

If you are transiting (passing through) the European Union:

If your pet is traveling through (transiting) a country in the European Union (EU) on the way to a third, non-EU country, you will also need a transit health certificate for your pet for the EU. The transit health certificate will be the same as if your pet’s final destination was the EU country. Use the information and steps above under “Travel Requirements Based on Pet Type” to determine which health certificate should be used. View a list of EU countries.

Considerations for airline travel:

Airlines and shipping lines have their own policies and requirements for transporting pets. Check with your airline or shipping representative to determine what requirements they may have.

View additional information for pet owners, airlines, and others about APHIS endorsement of international health certificates.


Will you be returning to the United States with your pet?

View the Requirements

ALERT: Read the CDC Notice of Temporary Suspension of Dogs Entering the United States From Countries Classified as High Risk for Dog Rabies.