Bringing pets to Great Britain
If you’re travelling from outside the EU
You must have an import licence to bring any pet animal that is not a dog, cat or ferret.
There are different rules if you’re bringing a pet dog, cat or a ferret to Great Britain.
How to get an import licence
Contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to get an import licence.
Animal and Plant Health Agency
imports@apha.gov.uk
There may be additional rules depending on the type of pet you’re bringing.
Birds
You can bring birds as pets to Great Britain as long as they’re not being used for:
- breeding
- meat or egg production
- shooting or hunting
The birds must come from a country that’s a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
You can only bring a pet bird to Great Britain if you fly into Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow or Heathrow airport.
You’ll need a birds health certificate that’s been issued in the country you’re travelling from.
Check the rules of the country you’re travelling from to find out how to get a certificate.
Airport checks
You must tell the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) that you’re planning to bring a pet bird to Great Britain at least one day before you travel.
APHA will arrange for your pet to be checked when it enters the country.
Animal and Plant Health Agency
imports@apha.gov.uk
The bird must wear a clip, leg band, microchip or tag to show where they’re travelling from.
Rabbits and rodents
You’ll also need to get a rabies import licence for the animal.
Email your licence form to APHA.
Animal and Plant Health Agency
imports@apha.gov.uk
Your pet rabbit or rodent must be put into quarantine for 4 months after you arrive in Great Britain.
Salamanders
You’ll need an animal health certificate that’s been issued in the country you’re travelling from.
Check the rules of the country you’re travelling from to find out how to get a certificate. A local vet might be able to help with this.
Bring the health certificate with you when you travel with your pet.
You’ll also need to follow extra rules, for example:
- you can only travel from certain countries
- your pet must be put into quarantine for at least 6 weeks
Check the rules with APHA before you travel.
Animal and Plant Health Agency
imports@apha.gov.uk
Fish
If you want to bring fish to Great Britain, contact the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Telephone: 01502 562244
Find out about call charges
Lowestoft Laboratory
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
Suffolk
NR33 0HT
United Kingdom