Scotland

Pet Entry Requirements for Scotland

Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Scotland?

What Additional Information Do I Need for Scotland?

• Special Imports:

  Pets can be imported to Scotland from Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, or Romania with their owners; however, they must have a special license if they do not meet normal import requirements.

• Pets in Scotland:

  Pets are an essential part of many households in Scotland, providing companionship, joy, and emotional support. Scotland’s pet culture is vibrant and varied, reflecting the nation’s love for animals and its commitment to their welfare. Dogs are one of the most cherished pets in Scotland, with many households owning at least one dog and cats are equally as popular. Scotland has a comprehensive network of veterinary clinics offering services from routine check-ups to advanced medical treatments and pet stores abound with special attention to all types of pets. The import of pets as well as veterinary care can be expensive in Scotland. Commercial airlines require that all live animals arrive in Scotland as air cargo which is more expensive than in-cabin or accompanied checked baggage. Pet owners should budget carefully to ensure proper care and transport of their pets.

• Other Information:

  Not specified

• Exporting Resident Pets:

  All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Scotland for another EU Member State must: Be microchipped.Be vaccinated for rabies (in that order) not sooner than 12 weeks of age and wait for 21 days after primary vaccination before leaving Scotland.Have a licensed veterinarian issue an Animal Health Certificate and other required documentation (depending on destination country requirements). All dogs and cats leaving Scotland for any other country must: Be microchipped.Be vaccinated for rabies (in that order) not sooner than 12 weeks of age.Be subjected to a wait time after rabies vaccination according to their destination country requirements.Have an Export Health Certificate issued in Scotland 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 country, a veterinarian in Scotland should administer a rabies titer test before leaving Scotland if your pet will be returning. Even if your pet is not entering an unlisted 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 conform to Scotland pet import requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering this country from non-EU countries.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 to enter Scotland will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), parasite treatment, and one of the following: An official EU or NI Pet Passport (resident EU or Northern Ireland pets) orA government-issued Pet Passport (part 1 listed third country – see UK COUNTRY CLASSIFICATIONS) orA GB Health Certificate orA pet passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021 (EU imports only)

• Flying a Pet to Scotland:

  Flights to Edinburg should be direct or transit through a listed third country or another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, 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. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

• Entering Scotland with a Pet:

  Unless traveling from Ireland, pet owners accompanying their pets must bring their animals from abroad as manifest (air) cargo directly into Scotland on certain approved routes which are operating through the Animal Reception Centre/Border Inspection Post at Edinburgh Airport. Accompanied pets can also enter at Glasgow. Animals using this service must meet all the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme detailed above. Within Great Britain or the British Isles, pets can be carried on any route subject to the transport company’s agreement and conditions ofcarriage. Pets traveling unaccompanied from outside the EU must custom clear at Edinburgh, London Heathrow or Gatwick Airports. Pets flying commercially must enter Scotland at Edinburgh Airport. Pets must fly to Scotland as air cargo according toairline pet policies. Pets must travel in a crate in compliance with the International Air Transport Association. Related:Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant? Pets traveling unaccompanied from outside the EU must custom clear at London Heathrow or Gatwick Airports. Flights to Scotland should be direct or transit through a listed third country or another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, 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. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply. All commercial transports, whether by air or land, must be preregistered in the IPAFFS database and the responsible transporter must be registered. Non-commercial transports by land must also be registered.

• 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 is responsible for the movement of live animals.

• Scotland Pet Import Requirements:

  All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Scotland must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-8 should be followed in the order given.

• Breeds Banned from Import to Scotland:

  The following breeds or their mixes are not permitted to enter or transit Scotland: 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 Scotland with any of these breeds or their mixes. Note: the ban also applies to dogs that spend time in Scotland during transit to other countries. Dogs can only be considered for exemption from Scotland Dangerous Dog Laws through the courts. Pet ownerscannot apply for exemption when importing their dogs. Only dogs who are returning to Scotland after being placed on the exemption list can reenter the UK.

• Quarantine for Pets Entering Scotland:

  There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Scotland 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. The United Kingdom is no longer a part of the European Union (EU); however, their regulations regarding the import of pets are similar to those of the European Union.

• Animals Eligible for These 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 types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO SCOTLAND below.

• Importing Other Pet Animals to Scotland:

  Domesticated rodents, rabbits, reptiles entering Scotland from an EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country must: Be examined by a licensed veterinarian within five days of transport.Show no signs of disease or external parasites.Be accompanied by their owner.Be less than five in number. Rabbits entering Scotland from any non-EU Member State will be quarantined for four months upon arrival. Value Added Tax (VAT) will be due for pets entering Scotland from the EU as well as any other country. If entering Scotland as visitors, the VAT will be refunded when exiting the UK. It entering Scotland for residency, a Transfer of Residency form must be filed for VAT to be refunded. Pets returning to Scotland 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 six 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, Kittens and Kits to Scotland:

  Puppies, kittens and kits must not be vaccinated for rabies under 12 weeks of age. Unvaccinated pets are not permitted to enter Scotland 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 Scotland from EU Member States and part 1 or 2 listed third countries is 15 weeks of age. The minimum age of import to Scotland from an unlisted country is seven months of age. Related: More information ontransporting a puppy.

• Importing Dogs and Cats to Scotland from Malaysia and Australia:

  If your pet is entering Scotland 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 Scotland 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

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