How Much Does It Cost to Import a Dog to the UK?

Georgina Cherrie was set on rescuing a dog when she found her little pug Norbert in Malta. “Norbert came from a large kennel with over 30 dogs in one enclosure fighting for food and shelter in the baking sun,” she says. Through the German charity Hunderettung eV, she navigated the complex process of importing her new dog to the UK, dealing with costs for microchipping, vaccinations, pet passports and approved travel routes.

“It was tricky and long-winded but well worth it,” she says. While the rescue organisation handled most of the paperwork, the costs and logistics of bringing a dog from overseas can quickly add up.

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Average cost to import a dog to the UK

The cost to import a dog to the UK varies significantly depending on your pet’s origin country, size and the transport method you choose. For dogs coming from EU countries with proper documentation, you can expect to pay between £800–£1,500 in total. However, importing from non-EU countries or ‘unlisted’ nations can push costs to £1,500–£2,500 or more due to additional blood test requirements and longer waiting periods.

“The import process is relatively easy once you comply with the UK government‘s requirements regarding pet passports, rabies vaccinations and microchipping,” says Deepak Shukla, CEO of Pets Let’s Travel. “Using a registered, reliable pet transport agency will also make things easier for you because they know the procedure and paperwork required.”

The size and breed of your dog also impacts costs significantly. Brachycephalic breeds such as Pugs may face additional airline restrictions and require special handling, while larger dogs incur higher transport fees across all carriers.

Breakdown of costs to import a dog to the UK

Documentation and regulatory fees

The foundation of any dog import involves essential documentation and health requirements. These costs are unavoidable and form the baseline expense for bringing your pet to the UK.

Pet passport or Animal Health Certificate: £50–£150. You’ll need either an EU pet passport from authorised vets or an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued in GB within the last four months.

Rabies vaccination: £50–£100. Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies with proof recorded in their pet passport or health certificate. If already vaccinated, a booster may be needed. The vet requires proof your pet is at least 12 weeks old, and you must wait 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination.

Rabies blood test (non-EU countries): £100–£200. Dogs from unlisted countries require a rabies blood test from a government-accredited veterinarian. The blood sample must be collected at least 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination and sent to an EU-approved laboratory. Results can take 4–6 weeks, so plan ahead.

Microchipping: £15–£30. Before or at the same time as rabies vaccination, your pet must be microchipped by a vet. The microchip number should be included in your dog’s pet passport or health certificate.

Tapeworm treatment: £20–£50. When travelling with a dog, you may need a vet to administer tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before arrival in the UK.

Airline and transport fees

Transportation represents the largest single expense in most dog imports.

Cargo flight fees: £800–£1,500. On planes, dogs must travel as cargo unless you’re flying a chartered private plane or travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Costs vary by:

• dog size and weight

• origin and destination airports

• seasonal demand

• airline policies

Sea or rail transport: £200–£600. Using government-approved sea and rail carriers and routes can be more cost-effective. However, you’ll need to check with individual companies about their specific pet travel policies.

Pet transport services: £300-£800 (additional). Professional pet relocation services handle paperwork and logistics but add to overall costs. As Giulia Gebhardt, VP of Client Services at WorldCare Pet Transport notes: “Your single point of contact will be your pet relocation counsellor who will handle all questions about the process.”

Quarantine and veterinary costs

Quarantine fees (if requirements not met): £3,000–£4,000. “If the entry requirements are not met, dogs may be quarantined for up to four months at the pet parent’s expense,” warns Gebhardt. This makes proper preparation crucial for avoiding these substantial additional costs.

Pre-travel veterinary consultations: £100–£200. Multiple vet visits are typically needed to ensure all vaccinations are current and documentation is properly completed.

Post-arrival veterinary check: £50–£100. Shukla recommends a vet visit in the first week to check everything is “on track” after your dog’s journey.

Additional costs and considerations

Core vaccinations: £80–£150. Beyond rabies, Gebhardt recommends ensuring core vaccines are current: DHPP+L (distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza, leptospirosis) and Bordetella (kennel cough).

Travel carrier: £100–£300. You’ll need an airline-approved travel carrier. Gebhardt suggests introducing your dog to it well in advance: “Place it in a common area and build positive associations by giving treats and even meals inside.”

Insurance: £200–£500 annually. Consider pet insurance that covers post-arrival travel and medical expenses.

Miscellaneous fees: £50–£150. This can include additional fees such as:

• airport handling fees

• customs clearance charges

• APHIS Form 7001 (‘Fit to Fly’) certificates

• declaration forms

Are there hidden fees to import a dog to the UK?

While the main costs are generally transparent, several potential hidden fees can catch pet parents off guard. “Watch out for low-cost pet transport and be wary of anyone asking you to send money via wire transfer, as this is a common scam tactic,” warns Gebhardt.

• Failed documentation: if paperwork is incomplete or incorrect, you may face delays, additional vet visits or even quarantine costs. Double-checking all requirements for your specific country of origin is essential.

• Seasonal restrictions: some airlines impose restrictions on brachycephalic breeds during warm weather, potentially requiring alternative transport methods or delayed travel at higher costs.

• Microchip reader: if your pet’s microchip doesn’t meet ISO standards (15-digit chip), you may need to purchase and bring your own microchip reader to avoid quarantine.

• Currency fluctuations: for international services, exchange rate changes can affect final costs.

How to import a dog to the UK: a step-by-step guide

Pre-planning (3-6 months ahead)

“Make sure to visit your vet early,” Shukla advises. “Get all vaccinations sorted, and gather documents like your pet passport and health certificates.”

1. Research requirements: check if the country of origin is listed or unlisted for specific documentation needs.

2. Vet consultation: ensure all core vaccinations are current and obtain required certificates.

3. Microchipping: complete before or during rabies vaccination.

4. Rabies vaccination: allow 21+ days before travel.

5. Blood test (if required): for unlisted countries, allow 3+ months from blood draw date.

6. Book transport: reserve approved airline, sea or rail routes.

7. Travel carrier: purchase and acclimatise your dog to their carrier.

During transport

• Provide light meal four hours before travel, not immediately before.

• Complete declaration form promising not to sell or transfer your pet.

• Stay reachable by phone, text and email if using pet transport services.

• Expect 3–6 hours for customs clearance at animal reception centres.

Post-arrival

Follow the “3-3-3 rule”: three days to decompress, three weeks to adjust, and three months to settle fully. Monitor your dog for stress signs and schedule a vet check within the first week.

Tips for cost-effective dog importing

• Plan early: starting 3–6 months ahead allows you to shop around for better transport rates and avoid rush fees.

• Compare transport options: sea and rail travel can be significantly cheaper than air cargo for suitable routes.

• Group bookings: some transport companies offer discounts for multiple pets or coordinated moves.

• Off-peak travel: avoid busy holiday periods when transport costs spike.

• DIY documentation: handle vet visits and paperwork yourself rather than using full-service relocation companies.

• Choose reputable services: as the RSPCA advises, work with organisations that are members of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes when adopting overseas.

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At so many points in those first hours, weeks, months, I screamed, internally: what have we done? 

Can I bring my dog into Great Britain?

In most cases, if you have followed guidelines and adhered to requirements for bringing a dog (along with cats and ferrets) into the UK, you’ll be able to bring them into Great Britain. The UK government has created an in-depth guide for importing pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) into Great Britain – one endorsed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

However, there are important restrictions to consider. You cannot bring a banned breed of dog unless it already has a valid Certificate of Exception. This affects costs significantly, as banned breeds require additional legal documentation and may face entry refusal, resulting in substantial quarantine or return shipping expenses.

Whether you’re migrating to the UK as a family or adopting a rescue dog like Georgina did with Norbert, the process is achievable with proper planning and budgeting for the associated costs.

What documents will I need?

The documents needed for a dog to travel into Great Britain will be different depending on the country your pet is coming from, and these documentation requirements directly impact your overall import costs.

If you’re travelling from an EU country

When coming from an EU country or European Economic Areas (EEA), you’ll need one of the following documents, which have to be issued or approved by an authorised vet:

• a pet passport issued in an EU country or EEA

• an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued in GB in the last four months

• a Great Britain pet health certificate

• a pet passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021

“This must be completed within 5 or 10 days of your dog’s intended departure, depending on the country of origin,” says Gebhardt. “An APHIS Form 7001 (‘Fit to Fly’) certificate is also recommended from a government-accredited veterinarian within 10 days of your dog’s intended departure. If your dog is not travelling within +/- 5 days of your own journey, these timelines go from 5–10 days to 48 hours."

These shorter timeframes can increase costs if you need to make last-minute vet appointments or expedite documentation.

If you’re travelling from outside the EU or EEA

If you're travelling from other countries in the rest of the world, you’ll need to look up if the country is ‘listed’ or ‘not listed’, and then check the specific documents required from that country.

In the case of unlisted countries, in addition to abiding by the usual pet travel rules, your dog will definitely need a rabies blood test. This adds significant costs (£100–£200 for the test plus laboratory fees) and extends the timeline by 3+ months, potentially increasing storage and care costs.

When you’re travelling from Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, you won’t need a pet passport or health certificate to enter GB, making these the most cost-effective routes.

Declaration form requirements

There is a specific form you must complete to confirm you, the owner or person with written permission from the owner to bring the dog into GB, will not sell or transfer the pet to a new owner. This declaration form is free but mandatory – whoever travels with the pet must keep this letter of declaration with them throughout travel.

What form of transportation do I use?

Your choice of transportation significantly impacts import costs, with some options costing three times more than others. There are government-selected air, sea, and rail carriers and routes that must be referenced before importing dogs into England and Scotland. There are no approved routes to Wales.

Air transport

On a plane, dogs have to travel as cargo unless you’re flying a chartered private plane, or if you’re travelling with a guide or assistance dog. This is typically the most expensive option at £800–£1,500, but also the fastest.

“Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds may face airline restrictions, especially in warm weather, because they are more prone to heat stress and breathing difficulties,” warns Gebhardt. “Many airlines do not accept these breeds in the cargo hold. If travel is necessary, consider flying early in the morning or late at night, travelling during cooler seasons (spring or autumn), or choosing ground transport.”

These restrictions can force you into more expensive charter flights or alternative transport methods, significantly increasing costs for owners of Pugs, Bulldogs and similar breeds.

Sea and rail transport

If travelling by sea or Eurotunnel, you’ll need to check with the company you’re travelling with about whether you can travel with your dogs. These options typically cost £200–£600, making them more budget-friendly alternatives to air cargo.

However, journey times are longer, which may require additional planning for feeding, comfort and potentially overnight accommodation costs.

Guide and assistance dogs

If you have a recognised assistance dog, you can travel on more routes than people with pets, and use more forms of transport where other animals aren’t allowed, for example, in an aircraft cabin. However, the same rules for importing pets into GB apply for guide or assistance dogs, so documentation and health requirement costs remain the same.

Bottom line: how much does it cost to import a dog in the UK

Importing a dog to the UK requires careful planning and budgeting. While costs can range from £800 for straightforward EU imports to £2,500+ for complex cases involving quarantine or unlisted countries, proper preparation helps avoid expensive surprises. The key is understanding your specific requirements based on country of origin and ensuring all documentation is completed correctly to avoid quarantine fees that can cost thousands.

As Georgina discovered with Norbert, “It was easy as we worked together with the rescue, and they did most of the work for us. We would 100 percent adopt from overseas again.” With proper planning and budgeting, bringing your beloved pet to the UK is an achievable goal.

Frequently asked questions: how much does it cost to import a dog into the UK?

How long does it take to import a dog to the UK?

The timeline varies by country of origin. EU countries typically require 21 days after rabies vaccination. Unlisted countries need 3+ months from blood test date, plus 4–6 weeks for test results.

How much does pet shipping cost?

Pet shipping costs range from £800–1,500 via cargo flights, £200–600 for sea/rail transport, plus additional fees for professional pet transport services (£300–800).

How hard is it to bring a dog into the UK?

With proper preparation, it can be straightforward. The UK government provides detailed guides for importing pets into Great Britain. Working with experienced pet transport agencies simplifies the process significantly.

How much does it cost to fly a dog to the UK?

Flying a dog as cargo typically costs £800–1,500, depending on size, route and airline. This doesn’t include required documentation, health certificates or other associated fees.

How do I import a puppy to the UK?

Puppies follow the same requirements as adult dogs but must be at least 12 weeks old before rabies vaccination. You must wait 21 full days after vaccination before travel, making the minimum age for import approximately 15 weeks.