Pet Transport Europe

It’s clear from the emails that we receive that there is a lot of confusion surrounding the rules and regulations with regard to transporting pets between the EU and the UK. Hopefully the following will help answer some of the typical questions.

The difference between ‘Pet travel – Non Commercial transportation’ and ‘Commercial Transportation’.

Pet Travel – Non Commercial Transportation:

  • You have owned and lived with the pet for at least 6 months.
  • You are named as the owner on your pet’s documents (passport / AHC).
  • You will be travelling within 5 days before or after your pet’s travel.

Commercial Transportation:

  • The movement of groups of more than five cats, dogs or ferrets per person travelling.
  • The movement of cats, dogs and ferrets involving a change of ownership and / or for rehoming, including rescue animals.
  • You will not be travelling within 5 days before or after your pet. If you are unable to fulfil the requirement of the Pet Travel regulation for travelling within five days of your pet, this will be deemed as Commercial Transportation.

Rules for Pet Transportation from the UK to the EU (and Ireland) – Cats/Dogs/Ferrets.

  • They must travel with a UK issued Animal Health Certificate (AHC) or EU issued Pet Passport if they are travelling back to their home within the EU.
  • They must be identified by a microchip (or a clearly readable tattoo applied before 03 July 2011) prior to vaccination.
  • They must have been vaccinated against rabies.
  • You must accompany your pet or, if using a representative (Pet Transport Services for example), be travelling 5 days before or after your pet. Evidence of your travel must be provided (copy of airline ticket for example), along with your proof of ID as the official owner of your pet.
  • NOTE: For travel to the EU from the UK, dogs do not need to be treated for tapeworm.

Rules for pet transportation to the UK from the EU (not including n.Ireland) – Cats/Dogs/Ferrets.

  • They must travel either with an EU issued Pet Passport or an Animal Health Certificate (UK issued AHC’s are valid for 4 months from the date of issue).
  • They must be identified by a microchip (or a clearly readable tattoo applied before 03 July 2011) prior to vaccination.
  • They must have been vaccinated against rabies.
  • In the case of dogs they must be treated for Echinococcus multilocularis (tapeworm) with an approved product not less than 24 hours before crossing to the UK and not more than 120 hours prior to arrival in the UK.
  • You must accompany your pet or, if using a representative (Pet Transport Services for example), be travelling 5 days before or after your pet. Evidence of your travel must be provided (copy of airline ticket for example) along with your proof of ID as the official owner of your pet.

Rules for Pet Transportation to the UK from a Non-EU country – Cats/Dogs/Ferrets

  • They must travel with an Animal Health Certificate and passport from the originating country.
  • They must be identified by a microchip (or a clearly readable tattoo applied before 03 July 2011) prior to vaccination.
  • After 12 weeks of age they must have been vaccinated against rabies.
  • At least 30 days after the preceding primary vaccination within a current valid vaccination series (or the last of the primary course of vaccinations) a blood sample must be drawn and sent to a European Union (EU) approved laboratory for testing.
  • A satisfactory blood test result must show the rabies antibody titre was equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml.
  • The animal must complete a waiting period of 3 calendar months after the the date that the sample was drawn.
  • In the case of dogs, be treated for Echinococcus Multilocularis (tapeworm) with an approved product not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours prior to arrival in GB.
  • You must accompany your pet or, if using a representative (Pet Transport Services for example), be travelling 5 days before or after your pet. Evidence of your travel must be provided (copy of airline ticket for example) along with your proof of ID as the official owner of your pet.

Rules for Commercial Transportation to the UK from the EU (and listed countries) – Cats/Dogs/Ferrets.

  • You must notify the authorities of your import using the IPAFFS website (we can assist with this) up to 30 days in advance and a Unique Notification Number (UNN) will be issued (do not need to add any documents at this stage). See link below for the IPAFFS website:

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-of-products-animals-food-and-feed-system

  • You will need to provide the vet in the EU country, or the breeder, the unique notification number (UNN) provided by the IPAFFS registration. The format of this number will be IMP.GB.2021.1XXXXXX.
  • The vet in country of origin must add the UNN to the health certificate.
  • A copy of the health certificate must be provided to you so you can attach this to the import notification on the IPAFFS website (to finalise the notice).
  • IPAFFS need to be notified between 30 days and at least 24 hours before the arrival of the animal into the UK.
  • If originating in the EU and transiting through the EU to get to the crossing point, they must usually have TRACES paperwork (EU form of Animal Health Certificate but not required if transiting just from France.
  • Your pet must arrive within 10 days of the date of issue for the Animal Health Certificate.
  • They must be identified by a microchip (or a clearly readable tattoo applied before 03 July 2011) prior to vaccination.
  • After 12 weeks of age they must have been vaccinated against rabies.
  • After vaccination (or the last of the primary course of vaccinations) they must wait for a minimum of 21 days before travelling (so a minimum of 15 weeks old).
  • In the case of dogs they must be treated for Echinococcus Multilocularis (tapeworm) with an approved product not less than 24 hours before crossing to the UK and not more than 120 hours prior to arrival in the UK.

When is Duty / VAT Payable on Animals entering UK

If the transportation of your animal falls under the Pet Travel Scheme, as outlined above for Non-Commercial movement, no DUTY / VAT is payable.

if your pet left the UK with you and you are simply returning following a period living abroad, there is generally no VAT to pay provided you apply in advance for Transfer of Residency Relief (ToR relief).

You must have lived abroad for at least 12 months.

If the movement of your pet or animal falls under the Commercial Movement rules, Duty / VAT is payable in all cases.

If it is a case that you simply cannot travel within 5 days of your pet or you are rehoming a pet without charge for the animal itself, it is usually calculated on a nominal value assigned to the pet: Generally £60.00 for a cat and £100.00 for a dog.

If you are purchasing a kitten / puppy or rescue animal and rehoming in the UK, 20% Duty / VAT will be payable in all cases and is calculated on its actual value. Invoices from the breeder / rescue centre will need to be evidenced.

Breeders abroad should no longer include VAT on their sales invoice. VAT is now collected from the new owner by the UK Government (but this is difficult to persuade EU breeders that this is the case).

Before entering the UK with your pet under the commercial movement rules, customs clearance must be applied for and all Duty / VAT paid in advance. Information will be required including purchase valuation, transportation costs, new owners name and address, breeders name and address. At Pet Transport Services, we use an experienced Import Agent to handle this all for us to reduce the burden on everyone. The process is simple if the guidelines are followed.

Imported animals cannot be cleared by customs until all Duty / VAT is paid or you can supply a ToR reference number.

An example and summary of the above:

Buying a puppy from the EU, importing to the UK, at a cost of £1000.00 for the puppy and £500.00 for the transportation:

  • Register import on the Governments IPAFFS system.
  • Obtain a UNN number for the Animal Health Certificate (AHC).
  • Provide the UNN number to the breeder or vet in the EU.
  • Obtain a copy of the AHC and attach this to the IPAFFS system to finalise the notice.
  • Provide all details required for the Import Agent to finalise customs paperwork.
  • Pay the Duty / VAT due.
  • Obtain customs clearance between 30 days and 24 hours prior to the animals arrival.

Cost Example:

  • Cost of Puppy – £1000.00 – VAT payable at 20% = £200.00
  • Cost of Transport – £500.00 – VAT payable at 20% = £100.00
  • Import agents fees – £160.00
  • Total import costs in addition to transport costs and cost of puppy = £460.00

For full up-to-date details, please check the Government website at the following link:

Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to the UK

Update – New Rules for Pet Transportation

Rules for Pet Transportation have changed over the years and certainly since Brexit. Not only do we need to comply with UK regulations but now with separate EU regulations at all times. Naturally, this benefits the pets we transport to ensure their wellbeing and safety at all times. Not only are we fully licenced to transport all over the UK but comply with all EU rules too, to ensure we can continue to transport throughout the EU.

From 21st May 2022, new rules for offering a ‘hire and reward’ service throughout the EU in any van above 2.5 tonnes came into force (3.5 tonnes was the previous weight limit). To do so the business must have a Standard International Operators Licence, in line with HGV transportation requirements. To obtain this the business must either have their own Transport Manager or hire the services of one. The Transport Manager must hold the necessary CPC qualifications in Road Haulage or have a provable 10 year track record in transport management.

Understandably these new rules will prove testing for any small one man band hire and reward company but, nevertheless, must be complied with or face hefty fines and prohibitions if caught without the necessary licences after this date. These new rules only apply to hire and reward business throughout the EU and not currently for UK only operations.

At Pet Transport Services we take all rules and regulations seriously to ensure we operate within the law at all times. To this end, our business founder, Spencer, has undertaken the necessary study and sat and passed the appropriate CPC exam in Transport Management so will undertake the role of Transport Manager within the company. We have applied for and already received our Standard International Operator Licence and can continue to operate legally throughout the EU.