Overview

These rules apply to Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). There are different rules on pet travel into Northern Ireland.

You can enter or return to Great Britain with your pet cat, dog or ferret if it:

You must use an approved route - unless you’re travelling within the UK or from Ireland.

You need to fill in a declaration if you are not going to sell or transfer the ownership of your pet.

Dogs must also usually have a tapeworm treatment.

Your pet may be put into quarantine for up to 4 months if you do not follow these rules - or refused entry if you travelled by sea. You’re responsible for any fees or charges.

There’s different guidance if you’re taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad.

If you bring a banned breed of dog into Great Britain it can be taken away from you by the police or local authorities and could be destroyed.

Check if you need to follow extra rules

You must follow extra rules (known as Balai rules) if any of the following apply:

  • you’re going to sell, rehome or transfer the ownership of the animal
  • your pet is arriving more than 5 days before or after you arrive
  • you’re bringing more than 5 animals and are not attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event

Before you travel

Check if the company you’re travelling with:

  • will accept your pet for travel - and how many they’ll accept if you have more than one
  • needs any proof that your pet is fit and healthy to travel, for example a letter from a vet or certain information in your pet passport or health certificate

Authorising someone else to travel with your pet

Your pet can travel with someone else if you’ve authorised it in writing.

Bringing other animals

The rules are different if you’re bringing other animals into Great Britain.

  1. Step 1 Check if you can bring your pet

  2. Step 2 Get your pet microchipped

  3. Step 3 Get your pet vaccinated against rabies

    1. Check the rules about rabies vaccinations

    You must wait for a set period of time after vaccination before you can travel.

    Depending on the country you're travelling from, you might also need to get a blood test.

  4. and Get tapeworm treatment

    If you have a dog, you may also need to get tapeworm treatment before you travel.

    1. Check the rules about tapeworm treatment
  5. Step 4 Get a pet travel document