The UK government has specific procedures for transporting pets such as dogs, cats, and ferrets into the UK with a private jet. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) must license the flight operator’s fleet to carry pets into the UK, and the procedure regarding required documentation and clearance after a two-week waiting period must be followed.
After approval, the entire operator fleet will be listed on the Defra website, and they can carry pets to the UK.
Requirements for the entry of pets into the UK
- Microchipping: Pets should be identified by implanting a microchip before vaccinating against rabies.
- Rabies vaccination: Pets should be vaccinated against rabies and allowed to travel 21 days after the vaccination.
- Pet passport or third-country official veterinary certificate: The issuance for countries not on List A (see infographic below) must be within 10 days before the date of the pet’s entry into the EU and is valid for four months for further travel within the EU.
- Tapeworm treatment for dogs: Tapeworm treatment must be administered to dogs no less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours before checking in.
- Health certificate: This should be inclusive, stamped, and dated by a veterinary surgeon, indicating fitness for travel.
- Blood test: This procedure should be performed on pets from countries that are not specified in the countries listed on either List A or List B. The blood test should have been carried out within at least one month of the most recent vaccination. The results of this test must be brought forth upon entry to the UK.
- Prohibited dangerous dog breeds: The following dog breeds, including but not limited to the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro, are not allowed in the UK.
- Operators must possess a valid Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
Furthermore, using an approved transport company and an approved route is vital unless traveling between the UK and Ireland. If traveling from other parts of the world, then the above must be applied, plus the pet must wait three calendar months from the date the blood sample was taken before traveling with pets onboard.
All original documents, including pet passport or veterinary certificate, health certificate, and blood test results, when necessary, must be present on arrival. Photocopies of documents are unacceptable.
Delivery procedure and clearance
Once the plane lands at a UK terminal, the UK Border Force will be the first to clear the passengers. After this, the operational team will be on board to scan the pet’s passport or certificate and scan for the microchip. This is typically a very fast process, taking an average of five minutes. If a pet is found with all valid documentation, it will be indicated for entry.
You don’t have to wait three months if your pet has an EU pet passport, and its vaccination and blood test were done in the EU and recorded in the pet passport. Our team must also receive a full copy of the passport (if traveling on a passport) or the certificate.
If there are any problems, the pet is taken to a quarantine area to sort out the issue. If all documentation is done well in advance, any complications arising in this case are minimal and, as a result, the pet is cleared to enter.
Countries with exceptions
Pets from Jamaica, cats from Australia, and pets from Malaysia have an additional regulation. Before forwarding any pet handling requirements for these countries, contact our trip support team first to ensure the requisite regulations about importation to the UK are complied with.
Pet Passport Country List
The UK will only accept pet passports from the following Countries:
Why Icarus Jet
We have extensive experience transporting pets alongside their owners in private jets to the UK, and our team is fully aware of the operational logistics and documentation needed for a positive outcome. Following the previous recommendations, our furry friends will have no issues entering any air terminal in the UK alongside their owners.
Once you are registered as an approved operator, you must forward all your documents to the handling team for review and assessment. The documents are collected upon arrival, and the passport scans the microchip to complete the entry procedure. With good prior planning and excellent documentation, the whole process is fast and easy.
Contact Icarus Jet at +1(888)2777203 or charter@icarusjet.com or fltops@icarusjet.com
FAQs
1. How advanced should owners inform about their plans to enter a pet?
They must give notice at least 48 hours before a pet enters the UK. This will give the trip support team enough time to arrange the checks and clearances that need to be carried out upon entry.
2. Can a person move a pet from one location to another within the UK without a microchip?
No, a pet must be microchipped before the rabies vaccination is given. Any new microchip should be readable upon entry into the UK, and the number has to correspond to those in the pet passport or veterinary certificate.
3. How long does the pet have to wait after the rabies vaccination to be able to travel?
It must wait 21 days after the vaccination before you travel to the UK, including the day of vaccination and travel.
4. Does the aircraft need to travel on an authorized route for a pet to enter the UK?
Yes, unless passengers travel between the UK and Ireland on an authorized transport company and an authorized route. Icarus Jet only works with authorized operators.
5. What happens if a pet fails entry checks on arrival?
If a pet fails the entry preparation checks, it will be put in quarantine until the problem is solved and it is clear to enter the UK.
