Bringing Pets to the UK from the USA

Preparation & timing

Work with a USDA-accredited veterinarian to check the microchip and vaccination history. Allow at least 21 full days after a primary rabies course, or longer if the vaccine requires it. Check domestic flight connections, temperature restrictions and carrier rules for your pet’s breed and crate.

These guides cover non-commercial movements of pet dogs and cats to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Your pet normally needs to travel within five days of you, with no sale or ownership transfer. Tell us if you are adopting, rehoming, moving more than five pets or travelling on different dates: extra rules may apply. Northern Ireland has separate requirements.

Travel documentation

Use the current Great Britain pet health certificate and arrange USDA APHIS endorsement as required. Plan the appointment, endorsement and return of the documents around the certificate’s entry deadline. Include the non-commercial declaration, vaccination evidence, owner travel details and written authorisation if someone else transports the pet.

A Great Britain pet health certificate normally needs to be used to enter within ten days of issue. Confirm the current form, official endorsement and validity with your certifying vet for your itinerary. Check that the microchip number, vaccination dates, owner details and signatures agree across every document. Send copies for review before departure and ensure the originals travel with your pet.

Treatments, crates & the flight

Dogs entering Great Britain from the USA need tapeworm treatment administered by a vet 24–120 hours before entry. The product must contain praziquantel or an equivalent effective against the specified tapeworm. The vet records the product, date, exact time, signature and stamp. Cats do not need this treatment for GB entry. Recheck the window if flights change.

Use a secure, ventilated, correctly sized travel crate meeting the airline’s current requirements. Your pet must be able to stand naturally, turn and lie comfortably. Agree water, bedding and any medication arrangements with the carrier and your vet. Do not sedate your pet for the flight unless specifically advised by your vet and accepted by the airline.

Most pet dogs and cats entering Great Britain by air travel as manifest cargo, even if you are on the same flight. Assistance dogs and certain private charters have different provisions. Confirm the approved route, cargo acceptance, transit rules and fit-to-fly requirements before booking.

Our UK arrival assistance

Share your US departure airport and any proposed connections. We help align the UK arrival facility, document checks and customs arrangements with the cargo booking, then discuss airport collection, overnight care where available or delivery to your UK address.

After landing, an authorised handler transfers your pet to the designated reception facility. The checking team verifies the microchip and veterinary documents, while the customs representative handles the declaration and supporting evidence. Welfare checks and any necessary follow-up take place before release is authorised.

Ask about London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), Manchester (MAN), Glasgow (GLA) or Edinburgh (EDI). Acceptance depends on the specific approved route, carrier, species and facility arrangements. We confirm suitability before you book.

Choose agreed airport collection or request onward transportation and optional door-to-door delivery. Same-day transport and overnight accommodation depend on availability and release time. Discuss aftercare needs in advance, including rest, feeding instructions and any veterinary support. Landing time is not a guaranteed collection time.

Costs & next steps

Your costs depend on the origin arrangements, airline, crate, UK airport handling, customs clearance, onward transport and any applicable VAT. Eligible moves may qualify for Transfer of Residence relief or Returned Goods Relief; HMRC determines eligibility, and relief does not remove service charges or animal health requirements.

Send your departure city, proposed date, your own travel dates, pet details and UK postcode. We review your plans, explain the available assistance and provide a personalised quotation. A quotation request is not a confirmed booking.

Entry and export rules can change. Check GOV.UK’s current pet entry guidance, the departure authority and your airline before travel. Tell us about transit countries, restricted breeds or other species so the right requirements can be checked.