Bringing your pet to United Kingdom
Pets must enter the UK via an approved route. Dogs and cats must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and have a pet passport or health certificate. The UK has no quarantine for compliant pets from approved countries.
Health certificate
Animal Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport required, issued within 10 days of travel
Customs & arrival
Pets must arrive at an approved Travellers' Point of Entry (TPE). Documents checked by Border Force.
Required vaccinations
- Rabies — At least 21 days before travel — Must be administered after microchipping
Restricted & prohibited breeds
These breeds are restricted or banned from entering United Kingdom — talk to our team about alternatives if your pet is on this list:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
Best practice tips
- Book vet appointment early
- Apply for certificate 2-3 weeks before travel
- Arrive at approved port of entry
- Keep vaccination records handy
Live pet transport prices to United Kingdom
| Route into United Kingdom | Airports | Options | From (1 pet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai → London | DXB → STN | 1 airline | from $917 |
| Dubai → Birmingham | DXB → BHX | 1 airline | from $920 |
| Dubai → Newcastle | DXB → NCL | 1 airline | from $922 |
| Johannesburg → London | JNB → LGW | 5 airlines | from $1,127 |
| Johannesburg → London | JNB → LHR | 9 airlines | from $1,162 |
| Dubai → Manchester | DXB → MAN | 1 airline | from $1,260 |
| Dubai → London | DXB → LGW | 1 airline | from $1,282 |
| Dubai → London | DXB → LHR | 1 airline | from $1,391 |
| Dubai → Edinburgh | DXB → EDI | 1 airline | from $1,398 |
| Cape Town → London | CPT → LHR | 5 airlines | from $1,495 |
| Durban → Birmingham | DUR → BHX | 1 airline | from $1,514 |
| Durban → Newcastle | DUR → NCL | 1 airline | from $1,514 |
| Dubai → Glasgow | DXB → GLA | 1 airline | from $1,602 |
| Durban → London | DUR → STN | 1 airline | from $1,701 |
Real prices from our live rate engine — for a medium dog (~40 kg chargeable), including documents. Your exact price depends on breed and crate size.
How the move works, step by step
- 1 · Instant quote. Enter your route and pet details online — you see the exact all-inclusive price in seconds, built from live airline rates.
- 2 · Documents & vet work. We prepare the health certificate, import permit and vaccination checks for United Kingdom, and book the vet appointments in the right order.
- 3 · Crate & flight. Your pet travels in an IATA-approved crate sized to their breed, in the pressurised, temperature-controlled hold of a pet-safe airline.
- 4 · Arrival & delivery. Our destination agent clears customs and can deliver your pet to the door — while you follow every step live in the FlyMyPet app.
How much does it cost to move a pet to United Kingdom?
International relocations to United Kingdom typically range from $917 on the cheapest live route–$6,000 depending on your origin city, the size of your dog or cat, the airline and optional services like door collection and delivery. Use our instant quote tool for an exact, all-inclusive price.
Frequently asked questions
Is quarantine required to bring a pet to United Kingdom?
No mandatory quarantine applies for compliant pets entering United Kingdom, provided every import requirement is met.
Does United Kingdom require a microchip for imported pets?
Yes — an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
What are the pet import requirements for United Kingdom?
Pets must enter the UK via an approved route. Dogs and cats must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and have a pet passport or health certificate. The UK has no quarantine for compliant pets from approved countries.
How much does it cost to fly a pet to United Kingdom?
Most international pet relocations to United Kingdom range from about $1,500 to $6,000 depending on origin, pet size, airline and add-on services. FlyMyPet gives you an exact instant price online.
