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Channel Islands

Pet Travel Policy Information

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Quarantine Possible

Pet Travel Requirements for Channel Islands

Pet Entry Requirements for Channel Islands

Step 1

Country Classifications

The United Kingdom and Channel Islands classifies countries as either: EU Member States and Territoriespart 1 listed third countriespart 2 listed third countriesunlisted third countries The requirements to import a dog, cat, or ferret to the Channel Islands will depend on the classification of the origination country and whether your pet has entered an unlisted third country within the past 4 months. Click on the links above to find your country’s classification. Pet owners should identify the classification of their origination country before reviewing pet import requirements for the Channel Islands.

Step 2

Type of Transport

The United Kingdom and Channel Islands classify the movement of pets as non-commercial or commercial. These pet import requirements apply to both non-commercial and commercial transports. Review the conditions below to determine whether your pet’s transport will be classified as non-commercial or commercial as the requirements for each type of transport are different.

Step 3

Pet Microchip

The second step to importing a dog, cat, or ferret to the Channel Islands from any country is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with International Standards Organization (ISO) standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO-compliant, you can either bring your own. Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer’s or government database in your country. A tattoo is an acceptable form of identification under the following conditions: It was applied prior to July 3, 2011 andThe tattoo is clearly visible andYour pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied andAll rabies vaccinations after the tattoo was applied were kept current. (No rabies vaccinations were allowed to expire before boosters were administered.)

Step 4

Vaccinations

All dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks of age entering the Channel Islands must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted. If entering the Channel Islands from another EU Member State, part 1 or part 2 listed country, your pet must wait 21 days after the rabies vaccination to travel unless a booster vaccination was just administered. If entering the United Kingdom from an unlisted third country, pets must wait for 30 days to have a licensed veterinarian administer a rabies titer test (next step). In both cases, do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time.

Step 5

Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test is required if your pet is entering the Channel Islands from an unlisted third country. The test should be administered no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination is administered. Do not count the day of the veterinary visit. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results are within acceptable limits, your pet can enter the Channel Islands three (3) calendar months after the date the blood was drawn for the test and avoid quarantine. The test is valid to enter the Channel Islands or any EU Member State for the life of your pet if boosters are administered prior to the expiration of the previous rabies vaccination.

Step 6

Parasite Treatments

Before your dog can enter the Channel Islands, it must be treated against certain tapeworms by a licensed veterinarian between one and five days prior to entering the country unless your pet is entering the Channel Islands directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta, the United Kingdom or Norway. The treatment must be recorded on the health certificate.

Step 7

Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires an original health certificate in their pet import regulations, and the Channel Islands is no exception. The type of health certificate required will depend on the type of transport the pet is traveling under – non-commercial or commercial.

Step 8

Import Permit

An import permit is not required when importing a dog, cat, or ferret to the Channel Islands. Other Information

Complete all 8 steps to enter Channel Islands with your pet

Requirements may change. Always verify with official sources before travel.

Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Channel Islands?

Not specified

What Additional Information Do I Need for Channel Islands?

  • Exporting Resident Pets:

    All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving the Channel Islands for another EU Member State must: Be microchippedBe vaccinated for rabies (in that order) not sooner than 12 weeks of age and wait for 21 days after primary vaccination before leaving the Channel IslandsHave a licensed veterinarian issue an Animal Health Certificate and other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements) All dogs and cats leaving the Channel Islands for any other country must: Be microchippedBe vaccinated for rabies (in that order) not sooner than 12 weeks of ageBe subjected to a wait time after rabies vaccination according to their destination country requirementsHave an Export Health Certificate issued in the Channel Islands for their destination country as well as all other permits, tests and treatments required by the destination country If your pet will visit or enter an unlisted third country, a veterinarian in the Channel Islands should administer a rabies titer test before leaving the Channel Islands if your pet will be returning. Even if your pet is not entering an unlisted third country, traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country.

  • What is a Pet Passport?:

    We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Channel Islands pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering this country.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, titer test results (some countries), and a GB Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport.

  • Find a Licensed Veterinarian:

    Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that handles the movement of live animals.

  • Traveling to the Channel Islands:

    Pets cannot enter the Jersey Channel Islands by commercial airline, private vessel, or private jet. Pets can only enter Jersey on approved charters or a ferry boat. Due to the limited service provided by these approved carriers, pet owners will need to enter the Channel Islands from an EU Member State* or part 1 listed country (see step 1). *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply. If your pet transits through an unlisted country on the way to the Channel Islands, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.

  • Breeds Banned by the Channel Islands:

    The following breeds or their mixes are not permitted to enter or transit the Channel Islands: Brazilian FilaDogo ArgentinoJapanese Tosa Inu orAmerican Staffordshire Pit Bull TerrierXL Bull Terrier. Also some kinds of American Bulldogs have been found to be classified as Pit Bulls. It is illegal to enter or transit the Channel Islands with any of these breeds or their mixes. Note: the ban also applies to dogs that spend time in the Channel Islands during transit to other countries.

  • Channel Island Pet Import Requirements:

    As the Channel Islands are a self-governing dependency of the United Kingdom, their pet import regulations are aligned with those of the United Kingdom. All steps required to conform to Channel Island pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.

  • Entering the Channel Islands with a Pet:

    As previously stated,pets cannot enter the Jersey Channel Islands by commercial airline, private vessel, or private jet.Pets can only enter Jersey on approved charters or a ferry boat. Due to the limited service provided by these approved carriers, pet owners will need to enter the Channel Islands from an EU Member State* or part 1 listed country before traveling onward to Jersey. As there are no approved Border Inspection Posts in the Isle of Man, Channel Islands, pets traveling to these countries must clear customs at another EU Member State or part 1 listed country. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to the Channel Islands. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

  • Animals Eligible for These Import Regulations:

    These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other animals covered by these regulations should refer to step 13.

  • Quarantine for Pets Entering the Channel Islands:

    There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering the Channel Islands if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

  • Importing Other Pet Animals to the Channel Islands:

    Domesticated rodents, rabbits, reptiles entering the Channel Islands from an EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country must: Be examined by a licensed veterinarian within 5 days of transport.Show no signs of disease or external parasites.Be accompanied by their owner.Be less than 5 in number. Rabbits entering the United Kingdom from any non-EU Member State will be quarantined for 4 months upon arrival. Value Added Tax (VAT) will be due for pets entering the United Kingdom from the EU as well as any other country. If entering the United Kingdom as visitors, the VAT will be refunded when exiting the UK. It entering the United Kingdom for residency, a Transfer of Residency form must be filed for VAT to be refunded. Pets returning to the UK from another EU country will not be charged VAT as long as proof that the pet exited the UK with the owner is provided. Pets who have not been owned for at least 6 months or are being purchased are subject to 20% of the value of the pet and the cost of transport and import charges.

  • Importing Puppies and Kittens to the Channel Islands:

    Puppies and kittens must not be vaccinated for rabies under 12 weeks of age. Unvaccinated pets are not permitted to enter the Channel Islands from any country until they are microchipped, fully vaccinated for rabies and conform to steps listed in these instructions. The minimum age for import to the Channel Islands from EU Member States and part 1 or 2 listed third countries is 15 weeks of age. The minimum age of import to the Channel Islands from an unlisted third country is seven months of age. More information ontransporting a puppy.

  • Importing Dogs and Cats to the Channel Islands from Malaysia and Australia:

    If your pet is entering Channel Islands from peninsular Malaysia, the following additional conditions must be met: Your pet has had no contact with pigs during at least the past 60 days prior to export.Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.Your pet has been tested with negative a result to an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export. Cats may only enter the Channel Islands from Australia under the condition that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):

    Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and very important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch the Species+ database Related:Learn more about CITES

Last updated: March 15, 2025

Traveler Tips & Experiences

Emily Parker

Emily Parker

February 12, 2025

24

I visited Channel Islands last year with my French Bulldog and found the process straightforward and well-documented.

Michael Chen

Michael Chen

January 3, 2025

18

Air travel to Channel Islands was a breeze and my cat had no issues. Highly recommend booking early!

    How to Import Pets to Channel Islands? Expert Pet Travel Requirements & Tips | Wags and Wanders