Destination Profile: United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

Last verified: 24 February 2026
Competent health authority: Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) / DEFRA
Official URL: https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain

Global classification of destination

Regulatory model

Model C: no general quarantine, with retention authority. The United Kingdom does not apply routine quarantine to animals that fully meet health requirements. However, APHA retains authority to hold under official control and apply quarantine of up to 4 months to any animal with incomplete documentation, incorrect certificate or health concern (https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/quarantine). This quarantine is entirely at the owner’s expense.

Rabies status of destination country

Canine rabies-free.
Source: WOAH — https://www.woah.org/en/disease/rabies/

Country-of-origin classification system

Yes. Post-Brexit, the United Kingdom has its own classification system independent of the EU, managed by APHA and DEFRA. Countries are divided into three categories: Part 1 (EU and EFTA), Part 2 (UK-approved low-risk countries) and unlisted countries (high risk). This classification determines which certificate is needed, whether RNATT is required and whether the 3-month waiting period applies.

Peru is an unlisted country, classified as high risk. Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay share this category in Latin America. Chile, Argentina and Mexico are in the Part 2 category and are exempt from RNATT and the 3-month waiting period.
Verification URL: https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/listed-and-unlisted-countries

Requirements for dogs

Microchip

— Required standard: ISO 11784/11785, 15 digits (APHA, https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/microchip).
— Must be implanted before vaccination? Yes. It must be implanted or read before any rabies vaccination for that vaccination to be valid.
— If the chip was implanted later: the vaccination is considered void. The animal must be revaccinated after chip implantation and all timelines restarted.

Rabies vaccination

— Mandatory: Yes.
— Minimum age for vaccination: 12 weeks (84 days) (APHA, https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/rabies-vaccination).
— Minimum post-vaccination period: 21 days for primary vaccination. For animals from Peru (unlisted country), this period determines when the sample for RNATT may be taken.
— Recognised validity: according to manufacturer’s leaflet (1 or 3 years), provided there are no gaps in boosters. If the vaccine expires during the post-RNATT waiting period, the booster must be given before the exact expiry or continuity of the process is lost, including the RNATT.
— Accepted vaccine types: inactivated or recombinant. Modified live vaccines are not accepted.
— If expired: the new dose is considered primary vaccination. The 21-day wait, sample collection for RNATT and 3-month waiting period are restarted.

Rabies antibody titre test (RNATT)

— Mandatory: Yes, for animals from Peru and all unlisted Latin American countries.
— Minimum threshold: 0.5 IU/mL (APHA, https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/rabies-vaccination).
— Minimum post-vaccination period to take sample: 30 days from vaccination.
— Waiting period: 3 months (90 days) before entry to the United Kingdom. The count starts from the date of blood sample collection, not from the date the result is received (APHA).
— UK-approved laboratories list: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rabies-antibody-titre-test-approved-laboratories
— Approved laboratories in Latin America: there is no UK-approved laboratory in Peru or Colombia. TEC-SAÚDE exists in Brazil. Owners exporting from Peru must send the sample to approved laboratories abroad. This international logistics time must be factored in from day one of the process.
— If the result is below threshold: mandatory re-vaccination and new sample 30 days later, fully restarting the 3-month waiting period.

Other vaccines required by entry regulations

APHA does not require additional vaccines beyond rabies as a legal entry requirement to the United Kingdom for non-commercial movements.

However, SENASA — the official veterinary authority of Peru — requires a complete and valid vaccination schedule to issue the International Health Certificate for export. Without that schedule, SENASA does not certify the animal and the process cannot start. For dogs: Distemper, Parvovirus, Infectious canine hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Parainfluenza (valid quintuple vaccine). Verify directly at https://www.gob.pe/senasa before starting the process from Peru.

Antiparasitic treatments

Yes, mandatory for dogs. The United Kingdom requires treatment with Praziquantel or equivalent effective against Echinococcus multilocularis for all dogs entering the country, regardless of country of origin (APHA, https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/tapeworm-treatment-dogs).

— Substance: Praziquantel or equivalent drug approved by APHA against Echinococcus multilocularis.
— Mandatory time window: between 24 and 120 hours (1 to 5 calendar days) before arrival in the United Kingdom. This window is fixed. Treatment given outside it, whether too early or too late, is invalid.
— Who administers and documents: registered veterinarian. Must be recorded on the Great Britain Pet Health Certificate with exact date and time of treatment.
— Does it apply to cats? No. Antiparasitic treatment is for dogs only (APHA).

Health certificate

— Official name: Great Britain Pet Health Certificate (specific post-Brexit model, different from EU Annex IV model).

⚠ This certificate is exclusive to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). For Northern Ireland the EU Annex IV model applies.

— Who may issue it: official veterinarian of the authority of the country of origin. In Peru: SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa). In Colombia: ICA. In Ecuador: AGROCALIDAD.
— Validity window: 10 days from official signature until entry to Great Britain.
— Does it require endorsement? Yes, mandatory by the national authority of the country of origin. In Peru: SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa).
— Official model URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pet-travel-apply-for-a-gb-pet-health-certificate
— IMPORTANT: This certificate is valid for Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). For Northern Ireland the EU Pet Health Certificate model is used under the Windsor Protocol. Verify at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets

Official entry document

— Exact name: Great Britain Pet Health Certificate.

⚠ This certificate is exclusive to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). For Northern Ireland the EU Annex IV model applies.

— Who issues it: SENASA in Peru based on the official APHA model. Not the EU Annex IV model.
— Validity window: 10 days from issuance to entry point in Great Britain.
— Official model URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pet-travel-apply-for-a-gb-pet-health-certificate

Mandatory digital forms

No centralised pre-travel digital form identified in the primary regulations consulted for the United Kingdom. Control is physical and document-based at the authorised entry point.

Quarantine

— Mandatory: Not routinely (Model C). Conditional on documentary non-compliance, incorrect certificate or health concern.
— Maximum duration: 4 months under APHA official control.
— Facilities: DEFRA-approved centres in the United Kingdom.
— Cost: entirely at the owner’s expense.
— What can trigger it? EU certificate presented instead of APHA certificate, antiparasitic treatment outside the window, post-RNATT waiting period not met, unreadable microchip, or expired vaccination.

Breed restrictions

Not covered in this profile. Consult APHA directly before starting the process: https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public/banned-dogs

Minimum age for entry

Approximately 7 months for animals from Peru and unlisted Latin American countries: 12 weeks minimum age + 30 days post-vaccination for sample collection + 90 days post-collection wait (APHA).

Transport mode

Manifest Cargo mandatory for most entries from third countries. Verify with the airline and cargo agent compliance with IATA LAR requirements for the specific route from Peru.

Requirements for cats

Microchip

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Rabies vaccination

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Antibody titre (RNATT)

Same as dogs — see previous section. The 0.5 IU/mL threshold, count from sample collection and 3-month waiting period apply equally to cats from Peru and unlisted Latin American countries.

Other vaccines required by entry regulations

APHA does not require additional vaccines beyond rabies for entry. However, SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) requires a complete valid vaccination schedule for cats to issue the International Health Certificate from Peru: Feline Triple (Calicivirus, Feline viral rhinotracheitis and Panleukopenia) plus rabies vaccination. Without this schedule, SENASA does not certify. The same principle applies for ICA in Colombia, AGROCALIDAD in Ecuador and the other authorities in the table above.

Antiparasitic treatments

Not required for cats. Praziquantel treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis is for dogs only in the United Kingdom (APHA, https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/tapeworm-treatment-dogs).

Health certificate

Same as dogs — see previous section. Great Britain Pet Health Certificate issued and endorsed by SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) in Peru.

Official entry document

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Mandatory digital forms

Not identified in primary regulations consulted.

Quarantine

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Breed restrictions

Not identified in primary regulations consulted for cats.

Minimum age for entry

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Transport mode

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Variations by country of origin

Differentiated requirements by origin? Yes, with three distinct categories.

Risk classification system

United Kingdom’s own post-Brexit list managed by APHA: Part 1 (EU/EFTA), Part 2 (low risk) and unlisted countries (high risk). The EU list system (Regulation 577/2013) no longer applies.
Verification URL: https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/listed-and-unlisted-countries

Situation of Peru and Latin America

Peru is an unlisted country. Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay share this classification. Chile, Argentina and Mexico are in the Part 2 category and are exempt from RNATT and the waiting period. Export certification in each case is by SENASA in Peru (https://www.gob.pe/senasa), ICA in Colombia, AGROCALIDAD in Ecuador, MAPA Brasil SDA in Brazil, SAG in Chile, SENASICA in Mexico, SENASAG in Bolivia, SENACSA in Paraguay, MGAP-DGSG in Uruguay and INSAI in Venezuela.

Situation of low-risk countries (Part 2)

Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada and Japan: exempt from RNATT and waiting period. Require ISO microchip, valid rabies vaccination, Great Britain Pet Health Certificate and antiparasitic treatment for dogs.

Situation of EU and EFTA countries (Part 1)

European passport with valid vaccination. No RNATT. No waiting period. No mandatory antiparasitic treatment to enter Great Britain from these countries.

Northern Ireland — Special case

Under the Windsor Protocol, Northern Ireland remains aligned with the European Union for companion animal movement. Animals entering via Belfast use the EU Pet Health Certificate (EU Annex IV model, Regulation 577/2013) and not the Great Britain Pet Health Certificate. The process from Peru to reach Belfast is identical in health requirements to the process to reach London, but the final document is different. SENASA must issue the model corresponding to the exact destination. Verify directly at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets

Key differences with EU regulations post-Brexit

An owner who has already managed the process for Spain or Italy should know exactly what changes for the United Kingdom: the final certificate is different (Great Britain Pet Health Certificate instead of the EU Annex IV model), the country classification system is independent although the outcome for Peru is the same (high-risk country in both systems), and Praziquantel antiparasitic treatment applies to the United Kingdom universally for dogs, not just for four countries as in the EU.

If your destination is an EU member state, see the EU profile →

Frequent errors

ERROR 1: Presenting the EU Annex IV Certificate to enter Great Britain

What happens: the official veterinarian or SENASA issues the European certificate model (Annex IV, Regulation 577/2013) instead of the specific post-Brexit Great Britain Pet Health Certificate. Frequent error because until 2021 both destinations shared the same model.
Regulatory consequence: rejection at the entry point and immediate official quarantine of up to 4 months at the owner’s expense (APHA).
How to prevent it: download the updated official Great Britain Pet Health Certificate model at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pet-travel-apply-for-a-gb-pet-health-certificate and confirm with SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) that it uses this model for exports to the United Kingdom.

ERROR 2: Antiparasitic treatment outside the 24 to 120 hour window

What happens: the veterinarian administers Praziquantel 6 days before the flight, outside the mandatory window, or administers it on the day of the flight, less than 24 hours before arrival.
Regulatory consequence: delay in boarding or retention of the animal at the entry point for re-treatment and minimum 24-hour wait before continuing (APHA).
How to prevent it: coordinate treatment administration with hour-level precision. If the flight lands in London at 10:00, treatment must have been given between 10:00 the previous day and 10:00 five days before. Document the exact time on the certificate.

ERROR 3: Counting the 90 days from the result date, not from collection

What happens: the owner schedules the flight counting 3 months from when they receive the laboratory result, when the count starts on the day of sample collection.
Regulatory consequence: the animal arrives before completing the waiting period; retention and official quarantine (APHA).
How to prevent it: calculate the eligible flight date as day 91 from blood collection, with an extra 2–3 day margin.

ERROR 4: Entry through unauthorised airport or port

What happens: the animal arrives on a private flight or through a port not on the official list of APHA-approved entry points.
Regulatory consequence: denial of entry and possible fine (APHA).
How to prevent it: verify that the flight lands at an approved point. The main ones from Latin America are Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW) and Manchester (MAN). Check the full list at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pet-travel-approved-air-and-sea-routes-and-holiday-companies

ERROR 5: Using the APHA certificate to enter Northern Ireland

What happens: the owner’s final destination is Belfast but SENASA issues the Great Britain Pet Health Certificate instead of the EU Pet Health Certificate required for Northern Ireland under the Windsor Protocol.
Regulatory consequence: rejection at the Belfast entry point; the certificate is the wrong document for that territory.
How to prevent it: inform SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) from the start if the final destination is Northern Ireland. The certificate to be issued is the EU Annex IV model, not the APHA model.

ERROR 6: Microchip implanted after rabies vaccination

What happens: the certificate shows that the vaccine was administered before the chip was implanted. Frequent error in clinics in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.
Regulatory consequence: the vaccination is invalidated; the animal is considered unidentified and the entire process must be restarted from vaccination.
How to prevent it: verify that the chip registration date is on or before the vaccination date. SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) checks this sequence at endorsement; if there is a discrepancy, it does not certify.

Minimum calendar from scratch

Scenario A — Animal with microchip and valid vaccination (vaccination with more than 30 days)

— Day 0: sample collection for RNATT and shipment to UK-approved laboratory outside Peru. SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) may start processing the Great Britain Pet Health Certificate in parallel.
— Day 15 (approx.): receipt of positive result (≥ 0.5 IU/mL).
— Day 85–88: issuance of the Great Britain Pet Health Certificate by SENASA and official endorsement. 10-day validity window.
— Day 87–90: Praziquantel antiparasitic treatment by registered veterinarian (24–120 hour window before landing in the United Kingdom).
— Day 91: minimum eligible date for travel to Great Britain.
— Minimum total time Scenario A: 3 months from sample collection.

Scenario B — Animal with no prior history, from scratch

— Day 0: ISO microchip implantation + rabies vaccination + additional vaccines required by SENASA (quintuple for dogs, feline triple for cats). Minimum age 12 weeks completed.
— Day 30: sample collection for RNATT (minimum 30 days post-vaccination, APHA).
— Day 45 (approx.): receipt of positive result from approved laboratory.
— Day 115–118: issuance and endorsement of the Great Britain Pet Health Certificate by SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa).
— Day 117–119: Praziquantel antiparasitic treatment in exact 24 to 120 hour window before landing.
— Day 120: minimum eligible date for travel.
— Minimum total time Scenario B: 4 months from scratch.

Authorised entry points

Yes, there is an absolute entry point restriction. Animals may only enter through routes and points authorised by APHA. The main ones accessible from Latin America are:

Official URL with full updated list: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pet-travel-approved-air-and-sea-routes-and-holiday-companies

Authority directory

Cited current legislation

1. The Animal Health (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 — Post-Brexit regulatory framework for companion animal movement to Great Britain. URL: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1462/contents — Verified: 24 February 2026.
2. The Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order 2011 (as amended) — Base legislation retained and amended post-Brexit for non-commercial movements. URL: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/2883/contents — Verified: 24 February 2026.
3. Windsor Framework 2023 — Regulates companion animal movement to Northern Ireland, maintaining alignment with EU Regulation 576/2013 for that territory. URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-windsor-framework — Verified: 24 February 2026.
4. APHA — Bring your pet to Great Britain — Updated official operational guide for companion animal import from third countries. URL: https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain — Verified: 24 February 2026.

Post-Brexit United Kingdom is the destination that causes the most confusion in well-prepared files for Europe, and the reason is single: the certificate. A colleague who masters the process for Spain or Italy reaches this destination and uses the EU Annex IV model because it is the one they know, and that error sends the animal to quarantine at Heathrow. The Great Britain Pet Health Certificate is a different document with different fields and SENASA must be clear on it before issuing anything. The second point that genuinely surprises is the Northern Ireland duality: it is the same country but with two different health manuals depending on the arrival airport. London requires the APHA certificate. Belfast requires the EU certificate. And Praziquantel treatment is not optional in either destination for dogs. If the process is managed rigorously from SENASA with the correct model from the start, the United Kingdom is as predictable as Spain. The margin for error lies exactly in the first document that is chosen.

This profile was verified against primary official sources on February 24, 2026. Requirements may change without prior notice. Always verify directly with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) before initiating any export process from Peru.