Does the UK still quarantine dogs? Simple and Effective Tips

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Check if you need to follow extra rules

You must follow extra rules (known as Balai rules) if either:

  • 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

    • 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

    • Pet travel from the U.S. to the United Kingdom/Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands and Isle of Man)

    Additional helpful information for exporting your pet to Great Britain can be found on GOV.UK.

  • Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be individually identified by an ISO compliant (11784 and 11785) microchip.
    • ISO compliant microchips are 15 digits long. The pet’s microchip ISO compatibility can be confirmed with the microchip manufacturer.
  • If the pet does not have an ISO compliant microchip:
    • The pet will need to travel with a microchip reader that can read the microchip OR contact the Veterinary Officials at the intended port of arrival to verify that they have a reader capable of reading the pet’s microchip. OR
    • If a non-ISO compatible microchip was previously implanted and can still be read, then the Veterinarian can implant an ISO-compatible microchip in addition to the non-ISO one the pet currently has.
      • The number and the date of implantation of both microchips must be documented on the UK Health Certificate.
  • When recording the “Date of implantation and/or reading [dd/mm/yyyy]” of the microchip/transponder on the health certificate, IT MUST BE ON OR BEFORE THE DATE OF THE PRIMARY RABIES VACCINATION.

    • For pets at least 15 weeks old and vaccinated for rabies more than 21 days before entry into the UK:

  • Rabies vaccination must occur the same day as or AFTER microchip implantation. The rabies vaccination may be administered the same day as the microchip implantation, but any rabies vaccination before a microchip is implanted is invalid.
    • If the pet had a non-ISO compatible microchip implanted at the same time as or before the pet’s most recent vaccination and it is still readable, the pet will not have to be revaccinated even if it had to be re-microchipped with an ISO compliant microchip to travel to the UK.
    • Remember, the number and implantation dates of both microchips must be documented on the UK health certificate and at least one of these microchips must have been implanted before the pet’s most recent rabies vaccine.
  • For the UK, the first rabies vaccination after microchip implantation is considered the primary rabies vaccine, and it is ONLY valid for one year.
  • If a pet travels more than 12 months after the first rabies vaccination after microchip implantation, written documentation that a rabies vaccine booster was given within 12 months of the primary vaccine must accompany the pet when it travels to the UK. This is required even if the pet has been vaccinated for rabies appropriately throughout its life.
    • Pets traveling without the above documentation may be subject to revaccination for rabies and a 21 day quarantine upon arrival in the UK at the owner’s expense.
      • Alternatively, the pet can be revaccinated and wait 21 days prior to departure from the US to be eligible for travel to the UK.
  • While a booster rabies vaccination must be given within 12 months after the primary vaccination, the booster rabies vaccination and any subsequent rabies vaccinations given may be valid for 1, 2, or 3 years according to the manufacturer’s recommendations as long as there is no lapse in vaccination.
  • The rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of entry into the UK.
  • A copy of applicable rabies vaccination certificate(s) must accompany the pet to the UK. Regardless of the format the administering veterinarian used to issue the rabies certificate(s) (e.g., handwritten, computer-generated, etc.), the following information MUST be included on every rabies vaccination certificate and MUST MATCH THE INFORMATION ON THE HEALTH CERTIFICATE:
    • Correct Microchip Number
    • Manufacturer of the rabies vaccine (different than the name of vaccine)
    • Name of the rabies vaccine (different than the manufacturer of vaccine)

    • Rabies vaccination certificates that do not contain the information above or contain information that does not match the information on the health certificate upon arrival in the UK may cause the pet(s) to be held in quarantine at the owner’s expense.

    IMPORTANT NOTE about entering rabies vaccine validity dates on the health certificate: For primary rabies vaccination: On the rabies vaccination table, under the header “Validity of vaccination” “from” the date entered should be 21 days after the primary vaccination was administered.

    Example: Date of vaccination: 01/03/2019 Validity of vaccination From: 22/03/2019 To: 01/03/2020

    For valid booster rabies vaccination: On the rabies vaccination table, under the header “Validity of vaccination” “from” the date entered should be the date the booster was administered.

    Example: Date of vaccination: 01/03/2019 Validity of vaccination From: 01/03/2019 To: 01/03/2022

    NOTE: If the pet is less than 15 weeks old and has not been vaccinated for rabies for 21 days before entry into the UK, the pet is not eligible to enter the UK. See Step 2 for more information.

  • After a primary rabies vaccination, the pet must wait 21 days before it is eligible to enter the UK (i.e., can enter on day 22). The date of vaccination is day 0 (zero).
  • A rabies vaccination is considered a primary vaccination when:
    • It is the first vaccination given after microchip implantation (this vaccination can be administered on the same day or any time after microchip implantation). OR
    • The previous rabies vaccination was expired when the latest vaccination was given.
      • If a rabies vaccination given after microchip implantation expires before another rabies vaccination can be given, the pet must wait 21 days after the new rabies vaccination before being eligible to enter the UK, as the new vaccination is now considered a primary vaccination. If there has not been a lapse in the rabies vaccination of the pet, the pet does not have to wait 21 days to travel to the UK after the booster vaccination.

    • If the pet is more than 15 weeks old and the most recent rabies vaccine is a primary rabies vaccine, the pet must wait 21 days after the date of that primary rabies vaccine before it can enter the UK.

    IMPORTANT NOTE about entering rabies vaccine validity dates on the health certificate:

      • For primary rabies vaccination: On the rabies vaccination table, under the header “Validity of vaccination” “from” the date entered should be 21 days after the primary vaccination was administered.
      • Example: Date of vaccination: 01/03/2019 Validity of vaccination From: 22/03/2019 To: 01/03/2020
  • The “non-commercial” health certificate is:
    • For 5 or less pets traveling to the UK within 5 days of the owner or designated person**. OR For 6 or more privately owned pets that are more than 6 months old and traveling in a group to the UK to participate in competitions, exhibitions, sporting events, or in training for events, within 5 days of the owner or designated person**.
    • Valid for 30 days after the USDA Accredited Veterinarian completes and signs it. However, the completed health certificate must be endorsed (counter-signed and embossed/stamped) by APHIS within 10 days of arriving in the UK .
      • APHIS endorsement is not required if the health certificate is issued by a military veterinarian, but the military veterinarian must issue it within 10 days of arrival in the UK*.
    • The final page of the UK Health Certificate contains a Declaration which must be completed and signed by the owner or designated person** before the pet travels to the UK. The Declaration must accompany the pet and health certificate to the UK.
      • Once the health certificate is endorsed by APHIS, the owner or designated person** must enter the APHIS-assigned certificate number in the “Animal health certificate number” section of the Declaration. See the instructions for completing the non-commercial health certificate on the Health Certificate page.
    • ALERT: This health certificate is NOT for pets traveling to the UK more than 5 days before or after the owner or designated person**, or changing ownership or are intended for resale in the UK. That type of movement falls under the “commercial” health certificate below.
    • Pre-check of paperwork for “non-commercial” pets entering the UK through London Heathrow Airport (LHR):
      • Information on Pre-check provided by Heathrow Animal Reception Center (HARC)
      • Pre-checks by HARC should be done prior to USDA endorsement.
      • Please contact HARC ([email protected]) with additional questions regarding this service.

  • The “commercial” health certificate is:
    • For pets (any number) who are traveling more than 5 days before or after the owner or designated person**. OR For 6 or more privately owned pets traveling at the same time (even if their owner or designated person** is traveling to the UK at the same time or within 5 days before or after the pet). OR For pet animals changing ownership or intended for resale when arriving in the UK.
    • Valid for 48 hours after the USDA Accredited Veterinarian issues (completes and signs) it. The health certificate must be issued by the USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed (counter-signed and embossed/stamped) by APHIS within 48 hours of departing the U.S.
      • APHIS endorsement is not required if the health certificate is issued by a military veterinarian*.

    • *A Military Veterinarian is defined as a Veterinary Corps Officer or civilian GS-0701 series government veterinarian employed by the U.S. Army Veterinary Service working at military treatment facilities. It does not apply to Army Veterinary Service non-appropriated fund or Department of Defense civilian contract veterinarians. **Designated person: a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the owner to travel with the pet.

  • After the pet’s USDA Accredited Veterinarian has completed and signed the EU/UK Health Certificate, have the pet’s completed health certificate endorsed by your USDA APHIS Veterinary Services Endorsement Office. For “non-commercial” health certificates, this endorsement must occur within 10 days of your pet’s arrival in the UK. For “commercial” health certificates, this endorsement can happen any time after the USDA Accredited Veterinarian signs the certificate.
  • Your local USDA APHIS Veterinary Services Endorsement Office will be able to provide specific information about the process and fees associated with endorsement of the UK Health Certificate.
    • You can also find more information about Endorsement Fees here.

    • *A Military Veterinarian is defined as a Veterinary Corps Officer or civilian GS-0701 series government veterinarian employed by the U.S. Army Veterinary Service working at military treatment facilities. It does not apply to Army Veterinary Service non-appropriated fund or Department of Defense civilian contract veterinarians.

  • Tapeworm treatment is required for dogs traveling to the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales).
  • Dogs must be treated by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian between 24 and 120 hours (1 and 5 days) before entering these countries.
    • The medication used must be labeled as an effective treatment against tapeworms, specifically Echinococcus multilocularis.
      • This treatment must be administered by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian.
      • It is recommended to use a medication that contains praziquantel as the active ingredient.
  • The following must be included in the table in section II.4 of the health certificate:
    • The brand name of the tapeworm medication
    • The name of the manufacturer of the medication
    • The date and time of the administration of the tapeworm treatment
    • The signature and printed name of the USDA Accredited Veterinarian administering the medication. The USDA Accredited Veterinarian cannot sign the table in section II.4 until he/she administers the tapeworm treatment.

    The UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) allows the tapeworm treatment to occur before or after APHIS endorsement of the health certificate.

    NOTICE: The United Kingdom has specific requirements based on the type of pet you are traveling with. To get the appropriate Health Certificate, read requirements 1-6 listed above and choose the option that applies to you.

    Rabies Antibody Titer Test – 3 Months In Advance!

    Does the UK still quarantine dogs?

    If you’re travelling to the UK from an unlisted country, a blood sample should be taken from all dogs and cats at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination was given.

    The blood sample must be taken by an approved veterinarian and the serological test should be tested in an approved laboratory.

    The result should state that the rabies antibody level is equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml.

    Your pet will only be able to enter the UK 3 months after the blood sample was taken.

    The rabies blood test will continue to be valid as long as your renew your pet’s rabies vaccinations on time.

    Does the UK still quarantine dogs?

    Pets entering the UK must be accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate (non-commercial or commercial). The health certificate should be endorsed by a government veterinarian in the country of origin.

    If you are bringing a dog to the UK, you’ll need to do the health certificate within 5 days of your dog’s arrival.

    On the other hand, if you are bringing a cat into the UK, the health certificate could be done within 10 days of your cat’s arrival.

    UK May Quarantine Pets from “Unlisted” Countries

    The UKs animal quarantine laws are to be relaxed from the start of January.

    The current laws governing the movement of pets will be brought into line with European legislation.

    The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said “vastly improved rabies vaccines” meant pets no longer had to spend six months in quarantine when entering the UK.

    But some animal welfare groups claim the changes could expose Britain to an increased risk of rabies.

    Currently, any dog, cat or ferret entering the UK must be vaccinated against and blood tested for the disease before being quarantined for six months.