Moving abroad is a big enough job when you only have yourself and your belongings to think about. But when your dog is going too, you also have to plan around the rules of the country you’re moving to.
If you’re relocating overseas with a dog from the UK, you usually need to start several months before you leave.
Knowing what needs to happen, and in what order, makes the whole dog shipping process much easier to manage. In this guide, we’ll cover what UK owners need to arrange when moving a dog overseas, how flying with a dog works and where a professional pet relocation company can help.
How Much Does It Cost to Relocate a Dog Overseas From the UK?
There is no fixed cost for relocating a dog overseas from the UK. The route has a major effect on the price, while your dog’s size determines the travel crate they need, which can increase air freight costs. Rabies testing, import permits and quarantine can also add further costs where the destination requires them.
When to Start Arranging Your Dog’s Move Abroad
Don’t wait until your moving date is confirmed to check the rules for your dog.
That’s because some countries have fixed waiting periods that determine the earliest entry date.
If you’re moving a dog from the UK to Australia, for example, the rabies blood test process includes a 180-day waiting period. Japan also requires 180 days to pass from the date of the blood sample before a dog arriving from the UK can enter without being held for the remaining period.
Other destinations have much shorter lead times, so it makes sense to check your dog’s entry requirements while you’re still deciding dates for the wider move. If testing needs to start six months beforehand, you’ll know before committing to a flight or arrival date whether or not your dog can meet the requirements.
Veterinary Requirements for Moving a Dog Overseas From the UK
The veterinary work your dog needs depends on the country you’re moving to. A current rabies vaccination is a common step in the pet relocation process, but for some destinations, it’s only the starting point.
Australia and New Zealand require dogs travelling from the UK to meet specific rabies vaccination and blood testing rules. Other countries require additional treatments or health checks shortly before departure, which means some appointments cannot be completed months in advance.
Your dog’s microchip also needs to be checked early in the pet shipping process.
Many countries do require the microchip to be implanted before the rabies vaccination used for travel. And be aware that if the dates are in the wrong order, the vaccination likely won’t count toward the import requirements and your dog may need to be vaccinated all over again.
It’s important to keep a complete record of vaccinations, test results and treatments as you go through the pet shipping process. That’s because you’ll use these dates when completing the veterinary certificates and import paperwork that allow your dog to enter the destination country.
Documents Needed to Move a Dog Overseas From the UK
You won’t necessarily have all of your dog’s travel paperwork months before the move. You apply for some documents earlier in the relocation, while veterinary certificates are often completed much closer to the flight.
For example, a move from Great Britain to Spain. Unless your dog already has a valid EU or Irish pet passport, you’ll usually need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from an Official Veterinarian. It can only be used to enter the EU for 10 days after it is issued, so getting one too early is no use.
Dogs travelling to Australia from the UK need an import permit, but the application comes after rabies preparation is complete. This is one reason an Australian dog relocation needs to be organised well before the flight.
For New Zealand, dogs exported from Great Britain need an Export Health Certificate. The certificate is completed as part of the dog export process to confirm that your pet meets New Zealand’s specified health conditions.
Whichever country you’re moving to, always check every document’s details against your dog’s microchip and veterinary records, because a wrong microchip number is more serious than a typo on a form, as that number links the paperwork to your dog.
A reputable pet travel company can manage this for you as part of the wider move, including knowing which paperwork to complete early and which documents to wait on until closer to departure.
Choosing the Right Dog Travel Crate for an Overseas Flight
Your dog can’t fly overseas in their everyday crate.
Airlines transporting dogs internationally require a travel crate that meets IATA standards. The size needs to be based on your dog’s measurements.
Your dog should be able to stand naturally without their head or ears touching the top, with enough room to turn around and lie down comfortably. This is very important for large dogs, where even a small increase in crate dimensions can affect the space needed in the aircraft hold and the cost of the flight.
Don’t guess the size from your dog’s weight or buy a crate because it is labelled for their breed. Two Labradors can have different leg lengths and body proportions, so measure your dog to ensure the right size pet travel carrier.
Pet carrier training can help reduce stress when your dog flies overseas. Get the crate well before travel day and leave it open at home so your dog has time to investigate it, sleep in it and get used to being inside before they fly, making it a familiar place and reducing anxiety.
Flying Your Dog Overseas From the UK
For many overseas moves from the UK, your dog will travel in the aircraft hold as manifested cargo. Their booking is handled separately from your passenger ticket and they travel in a pressurised, temperature-controlled area of the aircraft used for live animals.
The flight arrangements will depend on your dog and the route:
| Check | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Crate size | Larger crates take up more aircraft space and can increase the air freight charge. |
| Route | A direct service reduces aircraft transfers. If your dog needs a connecting flight, you also need to arrange their care and handling during transit. |
| Travel date | Airlines can restrict pet transport during periods of extreme heat or when suitable aircraft space is unavailable. |
| Your own flight | Your dog does not always need to fly with you. They can travel separately if you need to arrive first and get settled before they join you. |
| Breed | Some airlines restrict flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs and Pugs because they’re at higher risk of breathing and heat-related problems during air travel. |
Check Breed Restrictions Before Booking Your Dog’s Move
Some countries restrict which dog breeds they allow to be imported.
Australia, for example, prohibits breeds including the Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and Japanese Tosa. The UAE also has a list of breeds and crossbreeds that cannot be imported.
Airlines also set their own restrictions, with flat-faced dogs such as French Bulldogs and Pugs accepted by the destination country but refused by certain airlines because of the increased respiratory risk during air travel.
Make sure you check both sets of rules before booking the move.
If you’re confused, a pet relocation company can confirm whether your dog is permitted to enter and which airlines will carry the breed.
Getting Your Dog Overseas Safely
There’s a lot to organise when you’re moving country and you might think your dog’s travel arrangements aren’t a priority. But it’s important to get started on the international pet travel process early – particularly if you’re moving somewhere with lengthy rabies testing or quarantine requirements.
You can arrange the move yourself, but if you don’t want to figure out every import rule, veterinary deadline and airline requirement alone, choose a professional dog shipping company to organise your pet’s safe travels from the UK and make sure everything is in place for the country you’re moving to, leaving you to get on with the rest of your move.