Pet Travel from India to UK: Introducing New Policies

The United Kingdom, being a rabies-free country in its terrestrial animal population, has a long procedure for pet relocation into their country. Moving your pet to the UK can be straightforward with proper preparation, ensuring a hassle-free and comfortable journey. This article will address all your queries and doubts about traveling with pets to the UK, which is no longer an EU member state.

India: An Unlisted Country

India is an unlisted country, which means they are not categorized as part 1 and 2 countries under the pet travel scheme regulations. These countries have strict entry requirements because they didn’t meet disease control standards.

The pet travels to the UK as manifest cargo and not in the cabin. Many flights take you from India to the UK; for example, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Air India, etc. Please ensure the airline is aware that your pet is coming from an unlisted country and that all UK requirements are met.

Pet-Approved Routes:

• Not all airlines and air routes are authorized to carry pets. You can’t just fly into any airport with your pet in India.
• There are specific approved entry points like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kolkata.
• Similarly, not all flight routes are authorized to carry pets; there are few entry points made for the arrival of pets. These designated entry points have the necessary facilities and trained personnel, like animal quarantine officers, to inspect and process incoming animals.
• It is important to enter these entry points, or else your pet can be sent back to its origin or can be quarantined for an extended period at your expense.
• Here is a list of all the approved routes and airlines for traveling in UK with your pet. Link

Pet Documents

 It is essential to understand the documents required for your pet when traveling, as without them, it will be impossible for you to get your pet accepted in the UK. Your pet may be refused entry or quarantined for an extended period at your expense.

Microchipping:

For microchipping, you can visit your local veterinarian. The microchip needs to be completed 30 days before vaccination to comply with the 15-digit ISO Standard 11784/11785. Bring your microchip certificate given by a veterinarian. Microchip your pet before rabies vaccination.

Rabies Titre Test Report:

To travel in the UK, you should have a negative Rabies Antibody Test report. As per guidelines, after 30 days of anti-rabies vaccination, from local veterinarian you should have an anti-rabies antibody titration test. 

You need to wait at least 90 days after the titration test for flying.

Vaccination Records:

• The rabies vaccination information must be carefully recorded, together with the date, kind, batch number, veterinarian’s signature, and stamp.
•  It must also include the important information that the pet’s microchip was inserted either before or concurrently with the immunization. 
• The original Rabies Titre Test Report from an EU or UK-approved laboratory demonstrating an antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml and the date of the blood sample (from which the three-month waiting period starts) must be provided.
• Records for other core vaccinations like Distemper/Parvo for dogs or panleukopenia for cats are highly recommended for airline and Indian export checks. All these original, accurate, and legible documents form the basis for your official Great Britain Pet Health Certificate, which is endorsed by India’s AQCS and is essential for UK entry.

Great Britain Pet Health Certificate:

Since India falls under an unlisted country EU passport will not work. A Great Britain pet health certificate can be made by a licensed veterinarian in India. It must then be endorsed by the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS) in India. This is crucial for export from India and import into the UK. This certificate is typically valid for 10 days for entry into the UK from India. It will include all details of the microchip, rabies vaccination, titre test results, and tapeworm treatment for dogs. 

Download the format of the Great Britain pet health certificate link

Tapeworm Treatment:

Your pet should be treated for tapeworm (Echinococcus) by a vet. The treatment must be administered between 24 hours and 120 hours before arrival in the UK.

Export Certificate(NOC):

No objection certificate needs to be applied for by the pet owner from AQCS in India, which involves a physical examination of your pet by an AQCS officer. Take an appointment with the AQCS officer through their email prior to your flight (aqcsnr-dadf@nic.in). 

The following documents you should send by mail or carry copies of each AQCS appointment:

• Health Certificate signed and stamped by Local Vet (UK Compliant)
• Microchip Certificate
• Vaccination card
• A passport copy of the owner
• Air ticket
• Blood titer test
• 02 4×6 inches postcard-size photo (Light facing) of Pet

Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport:

• You need to fill out the declaration if you’re just traveling with your pet and it is not for selling purposes.
• You need your passport to establish ownership and your eligibility to import the pet under non-commercial rules.
• Traveling with more than 5 pets will be considered commercial transport.
•  If your pet arrives more than 5 days before or after you, it will likely be considered a “commercial movement” and require different, stricter rules and potentially entry through a Border Control Post (BCP) and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC).

Transfer of Residency (ToR):

You’ll need to provide proof of your residency outside the UK for at least 12 months before moving. For this, you can apply for ToR relief using the ToR1 form on the GOV.UK website

You will receive a Unique Reference Number (URN) or ToR number once your application is approved. This number is crucial.

 Without an approved ToR application, you would be liable to pay VAT (currently 20% in the UK) on the “value” of your pet upon its arrival. This can be a significant cost.

At Destination Airport:

• Send a mail to the destination Airport about your arrival with your pet as soon as your pet is approved by the AQCS officer in India.
• On arrival, your pet will be transferred to the airport’s dedicated Animal Reception Centre (ARC), where the microchip and all the pet documents, along with your pet, will be examined.
•  Once the pet has passed the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) entry requirements, the appointed agent will complete the customs declaration. This is where your ToR number is used for VAT exemption.
•  Once all checks are completed and customs cleared, you can collect your pet. 

References: 

https://www.gov.uk/bring-your-pet-to-great-britain

https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain?step-by-step-nav=9c8e6e6d-29f7-41d3-bc31-efcf20ee0d69

https://aqcsindia.gov.in/

https://www.iata.org/contentassets/b0016da92c86449f850fe9560827bbea/pet-container-requirements.pdf