Pet Transport to UK

Microchip

Health requirement

• Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be identified by microchip.  There are no exceptions to this rule. 

• The microchip should be ISO compliant and 15 digits long.
  • If your pet does not have an ISO complaint chip, your pet will have to travel with a microchip reader attached to the crate. Alternatively, your vet can implant a new ISO complaint chip in addition to the existing non-ISO compatible chip.
  • If your pet does not have a microchip in place, do this before any vaccinations. An ISO chip can be implanted at any veterinary office.

Vaccinations

Health requirement

• Rabies vaccination must occur on the same day or after microchip implantation. Any rabies vaccine given prior to the microchip implantation is considered invalid and will not be accepted.
  • Rabies vaccinations valid for 1, 2 or 3 years are permissible for entry to United Kingdom according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW PERTIANING TO 3 YEAR VACCINE GUIDELINES.
    • The UK considers the first rabies vaccination after microchip implantation to be the primary rabies vaccine, and it is ONLY valid for one year per the manufacturer’s recommendation.  After the primary vaccine, a 3-year booster rabies vaccination will be accepted assuming there is no lapse in coverage. 
    • ** If your pet will be entering the UK with a booster vaccine that was administered more than 12 months before travel, you MUST provide proof of both the primary and booster vaccine with no lapse in coverage between them.**
  • There is a mandatory 21 day wait period after the primary (or first) vaccination before your pet can enter the UK.  If your pet’s most recent vaccination is a booster shot without a lapse in coverage, a 21-day wait will not be needed. 
• Other vaccines are not required, but the vaccines below are recommended, particularly if your pet may need to be boarded before or after travel.
  • Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus (DHLPP) and Bordetella.
  • Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (FVRCP).

Health Certificate

Health requirement

• At this point in your move, one of our pet shipping specialists will pre-complete the correct health certificate and email it to you veterinarian for signature at the physical appointment. We provide all documents and are available to answer any questions and trouble shoot issues that may rise. 
• The UK has two different health certificate options. The health certificate used will depend on whether the pet is traveling within 5 days before or after the owner or designated person, and whether the pet is changing ownership or intended for sale in the UK.
  • Noncommercial health certificate: For pets traveling within 5 days of the owner or designated person. Valid for 30 days after USDA Accredited Veterinarian issues it. 
  • Commercial health certificate: For pets traveling more than 5 days before or after owner or designated person. For pets changing ownership or intended for resale in the UK. Valid for 48 hours after USDA Accredited Veterinarian issues it. 

USDA Endorsement

Health requirement

• After your pet has been examined by your veterinarian and the correct health certificate has been completed and signed, the health certificate must be submitted to the USDA office to be endorsed.  FFexpress coordinates this process on your behalf. 
• If a military veterinarian completes your pet’s health certificate, the USDA endorsement is not needed. A military veterinarian is a Veterinary Corps Officer or civilian GS-0701 series government veterinarian employed by the U.S Army Veterinary Service. 

DOGS ONLY 

Health requirement

• Dogs must be treated for tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) within 24-120 hours of arrival into the UK.  This treatment can be administered before or after the USDA endorsement of the health certificate depending on your pet’s unique timeline for travel.  This USDA will endorse the health certificate without without this treatment. 
• If your pet does not have this treatment documented upon arrival in the UK, tapeworm medication will be applied, and a 24 hour hold of your pet at your own expense will be enforced.