Moving to the UK with a Dog from Canada

General information, not veterinary advice. Requirements are set by the destination authority and can change: confirm with the official authority, your accredited vet and your airline.

Canada is a listed country for Great Britain, so a dog or cat that meets the rules enters without a blood test. The deadlines are tight: a 10-day certificate endorsed by CFIA, a tapeworm treatment for dogs in the last days, and an approved airline and airport.

A note on "UK": these are Great Britain's rules

The requirements on GOV.UK apply to England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has separate pet entry rules managed by DAERA, which this article does not cover.

The checklist for Great Britain

Microchip. It must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, or on the same day. Otherwise the vaccine must be repeated.

Rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old. GOV.UK requires an inactivated or recombinant vaccine approved in the country where it is given. Wait at least 21 full days after the primary vaccination, Day 1 being the day after the shot. Some vaccines need longer.

Boosters. A missed booster means vaccinating again, with a new wait. A booster with no break in cover needs no wait.

Tapeworm treatment for dogs. A vet must treat your dog every time it comes to Great Britain, between 24 hours and 120 hours (5 days) before arrival. The vet records it on the certificate with the date and time. Cats are exempt.

The Great Britain pet health certificate

GOV.UK says your own vet may fill in the Great Britain pet health certificate, but it must be signed, stamped and dated by an official veterinarian from a government authority. Your pet must enter Great Britain within 10 days of the certificate being issued.

On the Canadian side, CFIA provides a non-commercial health certificate for up to 5 animals, which your licensed vet completes and signs. CFIA states that endorsement of an export certificate is mandatory before the animal leaves Canada, so plan for a CFIA endorsement.

Booking the CFIA endorsement

By appointment only. Book through your local CFIA office as early as you can; no walk-ins.
Fee set after booking. CFIA calculates the fee once you book. You pay online by credit card or prepaid credit card (no debit cards), at least 3 days before the appointment. The fee is not refundable.
Before departure. CFIA cannot endorse a certificate once your pet has left Canada. If your flight changes, contact CFIA to reschedule: your payment stays valid.
Order of steps. For a dog, schedule the tapeworm treatment before the appointment, so the record is already on the certificate.

You also complete a pet travel declaration confirming your pet will not be sold or transferred. If someone else flies with your pet, they need your written authorization.

Your countdown

Days before arrival	Step
21 or more	Primary rabies vaccination complete, chip already in place
As early as possible	CFIA appointment booked, fee paid at least 3 days before it
5 to 1	Tapeworm treatment for dogs, 24 to 120 hours before landing
Within 10	Vet signature and CFIA endorsement, after the 21-day wait
Day of travel	Carry the original certificate and vaccination records
Arrival	Microchip and document checks, then customs clearance

GOV.UK does not say how the 10 days are counted, so keep a day of margin. If a delay puts your dog's arrival more than 120 hours after treatment, it may need a new one.

Getting there: approved routes and the hold

GOV.UK says pets arriving by air have to travel as cargo, and the APHA list states that approved commercial airlines carry them in the hold. Cabin travel is limited to chartered private planes and to guide or assistance dogs. Your airline, route and arrival airport must be on the APHA approved list.

Canadian carriers on the APHA list include Air Canada (Edinburgh, Heathrow and Manchester) and WestJet (Edinburgh, Gatwick and Heathrow). The list changes, so confirm approval with the airline.

At the time of writing, Air Canada's pet page does not mention the UK; it says short-nosed dog breeds cannot travel in the hold and no pets travel as checked baggage or cargo from 18 December to 4 January. WestJet's page lists the United Kingdom among destinations where it does not accept pets in the cabin or as checked baggage, and refers Heathrow bookings to WestJet Cargo as manifested cargo. Confirm with WestJet Cargo before planning around it.

On arrival

Officials check the microchip and documents. Your pet can only be collected after customs clearance, usually through an agent, travel company or the airline. Otherwise, contact HMRC's National Clearance Hub (nch@hmrc.gov.uk) before you travel.

If something does not comply, your pet can be quarantined for up to 4 months or sent back, and you pay the costs.

Other limits to know

Five pets maximum. More than 5 (outside competitions and shows), a pet arriving more than 5 days before or after you, or a pet being sold or rehomed brings in the Balai rules for commercial imports.
Banned dog types. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully types cannot enter without an existing Certificate of Exemption. New XL Bully exemption applications have closed.

Plan it with the kit

The Canada to UK kit includes a user guide, a timeline workbook that computes every date from your flight date, including the CFIA appointment, a vet visit brief, a document and airline checklist, and letter templates.

No titer, 10 days$29

Canada to UK pet move kit

Great Britain from Canada: chip, rabies vaccine and 21 days, the GB pet health certificate endorsed by CFIA, tapeworm timing and approved routes.

See the kit

Moving to the UK with a Dog or Cat from Canada