Pet Travel To Non-EU Countries
Travel requirements to take pets from GB to non-EU countries vary greatly depending on the destination country. Many countries will require an Export Health Certificate (EHC) to be completed by an Official Veterinarian (OV). You must apply for this online, and nominate an OV to be sent the documents, so it is important to confirm that your practice can accommodate your request before applying. Depending on the country, you may also need to apply for import permits or other documentation.
Depending on the country you are travelling to, pets may also need rabies vaccination, rabies antibody blood tests, parasite treatment, additional vaccinations, blood tests for infectious diseases, and a pre-travel examination and certification, if travelling with a commercial airline. This process can be time-consuming and expensive. For example, successfully exporting a dog to Australia takes 7-12 months of preparation. There are many companies that will help organise everything for you, including the travel itself.
It is your responsibility to find out the requirements for the country you are travelling to, and ensure you have everything you need to be eligible for travel. We strongly recommend contacting your veterinary practice as early as possible and explaining your needs. Many non-EU exports require multiple visits with the same OV within set timeframes, so not all practices will be able to provide this service.
For more information about pet travel to a non-EU country contact the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) at exports@apha.gov.uk or on 03000 200 301 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm).
It is also a good idea to check the government website of the country you wish to travel to, for example:
- Australia: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs
- USA: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html
- Singapore: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/pets/bringing-animals-into-singapore-and-exporting/bringing-in-and-transshipping-dogs-and-cats/preparing-to-bring-dogs-and-cats-into-singapore
Disclaimer
Please note that the content made available on this webpage is for general information purposes only. Whilst we try to ensure that at the time of writing all material is up to date and reflects industry standards, we make no representation, warranties or guarantees that the information made available is up to date, accurate or complete. Any reliance placed by yourselves is done so at your own risk.
