Routes and transport companies
Only certain transport companies and routes can be used to bring pet dogs, cats and ferrets into the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme. These are known as approved routes. This means they have been authorised by the Animal Health and Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) to bring pets into Great Britain under the Pet Travel Scheme and as part of that approval, are responsible for checking that the animal meets the rules of the Scheme. For pets arriving by air, the transport company may delegate those checks to a third party, such as the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow airport.
The procedures for registered assistance dogs differ from those for a pet and details of these requirements can be found on the assistance dogs web page.
You can use any of the routes and transport companies on the following lists to bring your pet into the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme. However, any carriage of pet animals is subject to the agreement of the transport company. There may also be a limit to the total number of pets that the transport company will let you travel with. Check with them that they are prepared to carry your pet(s).
You are not permitted to bring a pet into the UK on a private boat or plane from outside the UK.
Approved routes and transport companies
The following routes and transport companies may be used to bring pet dogs, cats and ferrets into the UK. On some air routes, registered assistance dogs may travel in the cabin. Other dogs, cats and ferrets will travel as cargo.
- Routes by sea and rail (PDF 20 KB)
- Routes by air (PDF 30 KB)
Other air routes
Note that for these routes the aircraft must be booked for travel. The listed air companies operate into the UK from various airports overseas. Contact the air company direct if you wish to use one to bring your pet into the UK.
- Charter routes by air (PDF 80 KB)
Latest information
Routes may change and new ones may be added. Some routes may be irregular and some may only operate during certain times of the year. You are advised to check this and all your other proposed travel arrangements with the transport company, including how they will transport your pet, before booking your trip to the UK as they may have their own additional conditions of travel. These conditions may include a health declaration for your pet.
Check the costs, requirements and procedures with your transport company well before you travel
Transport companies contact details
Once you have chosen a route, check the contact details of the transport company and contact them to make sure they are willing to transport your pet to the UK before making a booking.
- Sea and rail transport companies (PDF 30 KB)
- Air transport companies (PDF 120 KB)
See also
Attachments
- Pets - Routes by sea and rail (Approved routes and transport companies) (pdf, 462 KB)
- Pets - Air transport companies (pdf, 830 KB)
- Pets - Sea and rail transport companies (pdf, 453 KB)
- Pets - Routes by air (Approved routes and transport companies) (pdf, 465 KB)
- Pets - Charter routes by air (Other air routes) (pdf, 521 KB)