What are the steps and requirements involved in importing pets from Ukraine to the UK, including the need for a permit, vaccinations, technical procedures, and self-isolation or quarantine upon arrival?
Apply to bring your pets from Ukraine to the UK before you arrive in the country. You will need to have a Google or Facebook account. If you do not have a Google or Facebook account, you should contact the Animal and Plant Health Authority (APHA) on +44 3000 200 301 (option 2 in the voice menu) or send an email to [email protected].
APHA will review the permit application and the pet's vaccination and health records. APHA will then call to discuss the date, time and point of arrival in the UK and to advise whether the pet will be quarantined or in house isolation on arrival in the UK.
You can bring your pet in without having to quarantine it if:
o the pet is microchipped;
o the pet has been vaccinated against rabies, a blood test 30 days after vaccination confirms that it is immune to rabies and 3 months have passed between the time of the blood test and the time of entry into the UK;
o a UK veterinary certificate is available;
o for dogs, deworming has been carried out at least 120 hours (5 days) and no later than 24 hours (one day) before the travel.
If you do not have a UK veterinary certificate for your pet, but you do have an EU veterinary passport, you should call the Animal and Plant Health Service on +44 3000 200 301.
If you complete all the steps in this procedure, you will receive a permit to import your pet.
Important!
You can obtain one permit for a maximum of 5 of your own pets travelling with you. Importing more than 5 animals is classified as a commercial import, which is currently prohibited for pets from Ukraine. This requirement does not apply to Northern Ireland.
Once you have completed all of the above steps, you should arrive at a border crossing point recommended by APHA.
On arrival in the UK, your animal will need to:
o be in self-isolation for up to 3 months; or
o undergo quarantine for up to 4 months.
You do not have to pay for government-mandated veterinary services while your pet is in quarantine. The following procedures will be performed on your pet as needed:
o a blood test to determine whether your pet is immune to rabies;
o vaccination against other diseases;
o chipping; and
o deworming for dogs.
If you are importing rodents, birds or rabbits, you will also need to obtain a permit. For 30 days after the animal arrives in the UK, it must be kept indoors (indoors and in a cage), not in contact with other domestic or wild animals and not allowed to go outdoors for exercise. If your pet becomes ill during this period, you will need to contact APHA.
