Guidance

Commercial import of dogs, cats and ferrets - Import Information Note (IIN) BLLV/5b

Updated 21 October 2025

1. General information 

This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of live animals and germplasm, which provides information on pre-notifications, veterinary checks, risk categories and more. 

References to European Union (EU) legislation within this document are references to direct EU legislation which has been assimilated in Great Britain (assimilated direct legislation), as defined in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and can be viewed on the United Kingdom (UK) legislation website. 

2. Scope 

The import of cats, dogs and ferrets is governed by 2 regimes:

• the “Balai regime” (including the Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations 2011, which implemented the ‘Balai’ directive (92/65/EC)) for what are termed ‘commercial movements’ and
• the Pet Travel Regulations (Assimilated Regulation (EU) 576/2013, Assimilated Regulation (EU) 577/2013 and Assimilated Regulation (EU) 2018/772) for cats, dogs and ferrets that comply with pet requirements

It is important that cats, dogs and ferrets travel under the correct regime for the type of movement.

This IIN covers the commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets, including:

• the movement of groups of more than 5 cats, dogs or ferrets
• the movement of cats, dogs and ferrets involving a change of ownership and/or for rehoming, including rescue animals (see below)
• pet animals that are unable to fulfil the requirement of the pet travel regulation for travelling within 5 days of their owner or owner’s representative

Rescue animals or animals being moved for rehoming are classed as commercial movements. They must therefore travel under the requirements of the Balai regime.

For the avoidance of doubt, this IIN does not cover the movement of pet animals that comply with the Pet Travel rules (Regulation (EU) 576/2013), such as 5 or fewer cats, dogs or ferrets, being accompanied by their owner or owner’s representative within 5 days of movement, and not intended to be sold or transferred to another owner or travelling for a competition or event.  

Find more information about pet travel movements.

3. Great Britain and Crown Dependencies 

Trade movements between Great Britain (GB), the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are treated as national movements and as such, no animal health conditions are applicable. 

4. Northern Ireland (NI)  

Trade movements from NI to GB are treated as national movements and as such, no animal health conditions are applicable. 

Find more information on movements from NI to GB

5. Country of origin 

Imports of dogs, cats or ferrets into GB  are only permitted if the trading partner is listed in one of the following documents. 

EU and EFTA countries (any country listed):

• Annex II to Regulation (EU) 577/2013 
• the list of approved ‘Equidae’ trading partners – EU  
• the list of approved ‘Fresh meat of ungulates’ trading partners – EU 

Non-EU countries (any country listed): 

• Annex II to Regulation (EU) 577/2013  
• the list of  approved ‘Equidae’ trading partners – non-EU  
• the list of approved ‘Fresh meat of ungulates’ trading partners – non-EU

Dogs, cats and ferrets from countries that are not listed are not permitted to be commercially imported into GB.

6. Imports from approved countries listed in Regulation (EU) 577/2013 

Cats, dogs and ferrets imported from countries listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 577/2013 (and Norway) must:

• come from a premises registered by the competent authority of origin
  
  
• have been identified by a microchip (or a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011) prior to vaccination
  
  
• after 12 weeks of age, have been vaccinated against rabies
  
  
• have waited for a minimum of 21 days before travelling after vaccination (or the last of the primary course of vaccinations). If the vaccine datasheet states immunity is demonstrated greater than 21 days (for example 30 days) then the valid from date must be in accordance with the datasheet (for example, 30 days instead of the minimum 21 days)
  
  
• in the case of dogs, have received anti-Echinococcus multilocularis (tapeworm) treatment with an approved product not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours prior to arrival in GB

Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 also applies to Norway, in the same way as it applies to the EU member states.

If these conditions can be met, no licence will be required under the Rabies (Importation of  Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974. If these conditions cannot be met the animals will require a licence and must be quarantined. Contact the Animal and Plant Health (APHA) imports team for more information.

Guidance on how to put your pet in rabies quarantine.

7. Imports from approved countries that are not listed in Regulation (EU) 577/2013

Dogs, cats and ferrets from countries not listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 577/2013 can still be imported into GB provided the country is listed in one of the following documents: 

• the list of  approved ‘Equidae’ trading partners – non-EU  
• the list of approved ‘Fresh meat of ungulates’ trading partners – non-EU

Cats, dogs and ferrets imported from these approved countries must come from a premises registered by the competent authority of origin and meet the following health requirements:

• they must have been 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 primary course of 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 (designated laboratories for performing rabies antibody titration tests) 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 date that the blood sample was drawn
  
  
• in the case of dogs, have received anti-Echinococcus multilocularis (tapeworm) treatment with an approved product not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours prior to arrival in GB

If these conditions can be met, no licence will be required under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974. If these conditions cannot be met the animals will require a licence and must be quarantined.  

8. Imports from  Ukraine, Belarus, Poland or Romania 

To commercially import dogs, cats and ferrets from Ukraine, Belarus, Poland or Romania, you must have Approved Importer status. 

9. Dogs from Romania  

From 7 October 2025, dogs imported from Romania must have a negative Brucella canis test result before being imported. Find out how to send samples to Great Britain for testing.  

10. Health certification 

Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate for commercial dogs, cats and ferrets.

The health certificate must be obtained through the Competent Authority of the country they are being exported from.

Model health certificates for commercial dogs, cats and ferrets

11. Hybrid cats and dogs 

The pet travel rules apply to the species in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 576/2013, which are Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), Cats (Felis silvestris catus) and Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).  

Please be aware that an F1 hybrid cat or dog cannot enter GB under the scope of assimilated Regulation (EU) 576/2013.  

F1 hybrids and other non-domestic species should be imported in line with the requirements of the IIN for the import of certain rabies susceptible animals under the Balai Directive (BLLV/5a).  

In addition, the import of some hybrid cats and dogs, up to and including F4 generation may require export and import certificates under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and/or under Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. 

Import or export endangered species: check if you need a CITES permit

12. Welfare in transport

Anyone who handles or transports dogs and cats must do it in a way that does not, or is not likely to, cause injury or suffering to them.

Additional rules apply to cats, dogs and ferrets that are transported in connection with an economic activity (commercial) on journeys over 65km.

Find out more on Animal welfare in transport.

Or contact the APHA welfare in transport team at WIT@apha.gov.uk.

13. Contact for further information  

For more information about import requirements, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) imports team at imports@apha.gov.uk.

You can also contact both the imports and welfare in transport teams at:

Centre for International Trade - Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX

Telephone: 03000 200 301