The UK has two different health certificates for pets.
The health certificate used will depend on the number of animals traveling, whether or not the pet is traveling within 5 days before or after the owner or designated person**, and whether the pet will change ownership or is intended for resale in the UK.
The “non-commercial” health certificate is:
- For 5 or less pets traveling to the UK within 5 days of the owner or designated person**.
OR
For 6 or more privately owned pets that are more than 6 months old and traveling in a group to the UK to participate in competitions, exhibitions, sporting events, or in training for events, within 5 days of the owner or designated person**. - Valid for 30 days after the USDA Accredited Veterinarian completes and signs it. However, the completed health certificate must be endorsed (counter-signed and embossed/stamped) by APHIS within 10 days of arriving in the UK .
- APHIS endorsem*nt is not required if the health certificate is issued by a military veterinarian, but the military veterinarian must issue it within 10 days of arrival in the UK*.
- The final page of the UK Health Certificate contains a Declaration which must be completed and signed by the owner or designated person** before the pet travels to the UK. The Declaration must accompany the pet and health certificate to the UK.
- Once the health certificate is endorsed by APHIS, the owner or designated person** must enter the APHIS-assigned certificate number in the “Animal health certificate number” section of the Declaration. See the instructions for completing the non-commercial health certificate on the Health Certificate page.
ALERT: The "non-commercial" certificate is NOT for pets traveling to the UK more than 5 days before or after the owner or designated person**, or changing ownership or are intended for resale in the UK. That type of movement falls under the “commercial” health certificate below.
- Pre-check of paperwork for “non-commercial” pets entering the UK through London Heathrow Airport (LHR):
- Information on Pre-check provided by Heathrow Animal Reception Center (HARC) (194.33 KB)
- Pre-checks by HARC should be done prior to USDA endorsem*nt.
- Please contact HARC (HARC@cityoflondon.gov.uk) with additional questions regarding this service.
The “commercial” health certificate is:
- For pets (any number) who are traveling more than 5 days before or after the owner or designated person**.
OR
For 6 or more privately owned pets traveling at the same time (even if their owner or designated person** is traveling to theUK at the same time or within 5 days before or after the pet).
OR
For pet animals changing ownership or intended for resale when arriving in the UK. - Valid for 48 hours after the USDA Accredited Veterinarian issues (completes and signs) it. The health certificate must be issued by the USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed (counter-signed and embossed/stamped) by APHIS within 48 hours of departing the U.S.
- APHIS endorsem*nt is not required if the health certificate is issued by a military veterinarian*.
*A Military Veterinarian is defined as a Veterinary Corps Officer or civilian GS-0701 series government veterinarian employed by the U.S. Army Veterinary Service working at military treatment facilities. It does not apply to Army Veterinary Service non-appropriated fund or Department of Defense civilian contract veterinarians.
**Designated person: a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the owner to travel with the pet.
