Health Certificates: Shipments WITH DOGS from the U.S. to the United Kingdom/Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
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.
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.
Accredited Veterinarians Notice: For proper triage of commercial EU/UK certificates, Dogs and Cats, Dogs only, and Cats only commodities are now available for all EU/UK countries on VEHCS. Please select these commodities as appropriate when submitting commercial certificates to EU/UK countries.
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) (353.74 KB)
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.
Accredited Veterinarians Notice: For proper triage of commercial EU/UK certificates, Dogs and Cats, Dogs only, and Cats only commodities are now available for all EU/UK countries on VEHCS. Please select these commodities as appropriate when submitting commercial certificates to EU/UK countries.
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) (353.74 KB)
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.
Countries Participating in the European Union
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Northern Ireland*
Norway**
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland**
* Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom (UK), but will continue to follow European Union (EU) requirements even though the UK is no longer part of the EU.
** Norway and Switzerland are not part of the EU but have adopted EU legislation for import of most species of live animals.
Important Travel Considerations
Considerations for airline travel and cruises:
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.
Learn how you can improve the safety of dogs and cats during air travel.
If pets or support animals accompany you on a cruise, you must comply with entry rules for every country or port where your pet or support animal exits the ship.
Will you be returning to the United States with your pet?
View APHIS Requirements
ALERT: If you're traveling with a dog, be aware that the CDC has additional requirements for bringing a dog into the United States. You must follow CDC's requirements, or your dog will not be allowed to enter the United States.
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.
Need Help?
Still Have Questions?
USDA-Accredited Veterinarians
Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country's entry requirements for pets (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments) and for issuance of health certificates.
Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian
USDA Endorsement Offices
Contact your nearest APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services Endorsement Office for questions about endorsing a health certificate for pets.
Looking for Another Country?
Find your destination country requirements by using the dropdown menu below. If your country is not listed in the menu, visit Pet Travel: Unknown Requirements.