Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Ecuador to the United Kingdom: the rules
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least about 4 months ahead for a dog. The main steps: microchip, rabies vaccination and rabies blood test (titer) and 4 more.
Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 3 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- The United Kingdom puts Ecuador in the group “Unlisted country”, which decides part of the rules.
- On this route: rabies blood test needed, tapeworm treatment before arrival and official stamp on the certificate.
- No import permit or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
We’re re-checking these rules. An official source they rely on has changed since we last verified them, so something here may be out of date. Before you book or travel, confirm the details with the official authority.
- Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain · page changed, noticed 13 Oct 2026
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
about 4 months
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies blood test (titer) (3 months after the blood sample)
about 3 months
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Rabies blood test (titer) (3 months after the blood sample)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- Rabies blood test needed
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Tapeworm treatment before arrival
- Official stamp on the certificate
How early to start (cats)
about 4 months
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies blood test (titer) (3 months after the blood sample)
about 3 months
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Rabies blood test (titer) (3 months after the blood sample)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- Rabies blood test needed
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Official stamp on the certificate
Which rules apply to you
The United Kingdom puts Ecuador in the group “Unlisted country”. See every group
Official name: Not listed — rabies blood test needed
Rule-change alertsChecked daily
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Rule change for pets travelling from Ecuador to the United Kingdom
Leaving Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Northern Ireland: the certificate request is its own step. Tap to see what changed.
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Ecuador → United Kingdom
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Ecuador (leaving) or the United Kingdom (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
IdentificationEntering the United Kingdom
Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped on or before the day of its rabies vaccination. An ISO 11784/11785 chip can be read at the border; otherwise bring your own reader.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: The rabies vaccination doesn't count and must be given again.
“You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination.”
VaccinationEntering the United Kingdom
Rabies vaccination
Vaccinate against rabies (pet at least 12 weeks old). After a first (primary) vaccination you must wait at least 21 full days before arriving; no wait after a booster if the cover never lapsed.
Details and the official words
Some vaccines take longer to work (e.g. 30 days) — your vet will tell you.
“Your vet needs proof that your pet’s at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating them.”
“You will have to wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or the last of the first course of rabies vaccinations) is given.”
Blood testEntering the United Kingdom
Rabies blood test (titer)
Your vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and sends it to an EU-approved lab. The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. You must then wait 3 months from the sample date before travelling.
Details and the official words
The test stays valid as long as the rabies vaccinations are kept up to date.
We count '3 months' as the longest possible 3 calendar months, so the date we show is always safe.
“Your pet must have a blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.”
“You must wait 3 months from the date the blood sample was taken before you travel.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examLeaving Ecuador
Health check by a vet registered with Agrocalidad (valid 10 days)
A vet registered with Agrocalidad examines your pet and enters the health certification online in Agrocalidad's GUIA system, checking your destination's requirements. The health certification is valid for 10 days. The vet attaches the original vaccination card (vaccines and dates, microchip date, sterilisation if any, internal and external parasite treatments) and any extra document your destination asks for.
Details and the official words
“La certificación de salud animal tendrá una vigencia de 10 días, la información de la inspección clínica será ingresada en línea mediante el Sistema GUIA habilitado para cada médico veterinario registrado ante la Agencia, donde deberá cumplir las exigencias sanitarias establecidas por el país destino.”
“El Médico Veterinario Registrado ante AGROCALIDAD deberá adjuntar los siguientes requisitos en el sistema GUIA y aquellos adicionales que establezca el país de destino en formato PDF.”
“Carnet de vacunas original, debe incluir las fechas y vacunas aplicadas, fecha de aplicación del microchip y esterilización (si corresponde), así como, las fechas de las desparasitaciones internas y externas.”
TreatmentEntering the United Kingdom
Tapeworm treatment (dogs)
A vet must treat your dog for tapeworm (praziquantel) and record it. It must be given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you arrive.
Details and the official words
The window is in hours: check the treatment time against your arrival time. If your journey is delayed past 120 hours, your dog needs a new treatment.
If this is missed: Your dog can be refused entry or put into quarantine.
“no less than 24 hours before you enter Great Britain”
“You do not need to treat your dog for tapeworm if you’re coming directly to Great Britain from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway.”
PaperworkEcuador and the United Kingdom
Great Britain pet health certificate
Get a Great Britain pet health certificate signed, stamped and dated by an official veterinarian in the country you travel from. Your pet must enter Great Britain within 10 days of it being issued.
Details and the official words
Agrocalidad export health certificate: Once the request is approved, you collect the paper certificate at the Agrocalidad office or exit border post your vet chose. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
“Your pet must enter Great Britain within 10 days of the pet health certificate being issued.”
“Una vez aprobada su solicitud podrá retirar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación, de forma física en la oficina de la Agencia o punto fronterizo de salida que seleccionó en la solicitud.”
Official stampLeaving Ecuador
Your vet requests Agrocalidad's export health certificate, at least 72 hours before the trip
Your registered vet sends the request for the export health certificate in GUIA at least 72 hours before the trip and chooses the Agrocalidad office (or exit border post) where you collect the paper certificate, giving the request number. It costs USD 28.90 per animal, debited from the vet's GUIA account: settle it with your vet.
Details and the official words
“Para poder solicitar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de animales de compañía convencionales el Médico veterinario registrado, deberá enviar la solicitud 72 horas previas al viaje y seleccionar la oficina de AGROCALIDAD más cercana para retirar el documento en físico.”
“Recordar que el valor del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido por la Agencia es de $28,90 dólares por animal”
PaperworkEntering the United Kingdom
Non-commercial declaration
Sign a declaration that you won't sell or transfer ownership of your pet.
Details and the official words
“You also need to fill in a declaration if you’re not going to sell or transfer the ownership of your pet.”
Travel day and arrival
RouteEntering the United Kingdom
Use an approved travel route
Book an airline, ferry or rail route that is approved for pet travel into Great Britain.
Details and the official words
“Check your route is approved for pet travel.”
On arrivalEntering the United Kingdom
Checks on arrival
Your pet's microchip and documents are checked on arrival. Pets arriving from outside the EU must be taken through customs (an agent or the airline usually does this).
Details and the official words
If this is missed: Your pet could be put into quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if you travelled by sea — at your expense.
“When you arrive in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland), your pet’s microchip and documents will be checked.”
Good to know
- Some dog breeds are banned in Great Britain and can only enter with a valid Certificate of Exemption.
- By plane, pets must travel as cargo into Great Britain unless you fly a chartered private plane or travel with a recognised assistance dog.
- Before you apply, check your destination's entry requirements and your airline's rules, and the rules of any country your pet transits. If your destination isn't covered by Agrocalidad's list, contact certificacion.zoosanitaria@agrocalidad.gob.ec (02 3828860, ext. 2012 or 2013).
- Your pet doesn't need a clinical inspection at Agrocalidad before leaving (the registered vet records it online), but Agrocalidad carries out random inspections before boarding.
Cats
Get ready
IdentificationEntering the United Kingdom
Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped on or before the day of its rabies vaccination. An ISO 11784/11785 chip can be read at the border; otherwise bring your own reader.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: The rabies vaccination doesn't count and must be given again.
“You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination.”
VaccinationEntering the United Kingdom
Rabies vaccination
Vaccinate against rabies (pet at least 12 weeks old). After a first (primary) vaccination you must wait at least 21 full days before arriving; no wait after a booster if the cover never lapsed.
Details and the official words
Some vaccines take longer to work (e.g. 30 days) — your vet will tell you.
“Your vet needs proof that your pet’s at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating them.”
“You will have to wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or the last of the first course of rabies vaccinations) is given.”
Blood testEntering the United Kingdom
Rabies blood test (titer)
Your vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and sends it to an EU-approved lab. The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. You must then wait 3 months from the sample date before travelling.
Details and the official words
The test stays valid as long as the rabies vaccinations are kept up to date.
We count '3 months' as the longest possible 3 calendar months, so the date we show is always safe.
“Your pet must have a blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.”
“You must wait 3 months from the date the blood sample was taken before you travel.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examLeaving Ecuador
Health check by a vet registered with Agrocalidad (valid 10 days)
A vet registered with Agrocalidad examines your pet and enters the health certification online in Agrocalidad's GUIA system, checking your destination's requirements. The health certification is valid for 10 days. The vet attaches the original vaccination card (vaccines and dates, microchip date, sterilisation if any, internal and external parasite treatments) and any extra document your destination asks for.
Details and the official words
“La certificación de salud animal tendrá una vigencia de 10 días, la información de la inspección clínica será ingresada en línea mediante el Sistema GUIA habilitado para cada médico veterinario registrado ante la Agencia, donde deberá cumplir las exigencias sanitarias establecidas por el país destino.”
“El Médico Veterinario Registrado ante AGROCALIDAD deberá adjuntar los siguientes requisitos en el sistema GUIA y aquellos adicionales que establezca el país de destino en formato PDF.”
“Carnet de vacunas original, debe incluir las fechas y vacunas aplicadas, fecha de aplicación del microchip y esterilización (si corresponde), así como, las fechas de las desparasitaciones internas y externas.”
PaperworkEcuador and the United Kingdom
Great Britain pet health certificate
Get a Great Britain pet health certificate signed, stamped and dated by an official veterinarian in the country you travel from. Your pet must enter Great Britain within 10 days of it being issued.
Details and the official words
Agrocalidad export health certificate: Once the request is approved, you collect the paper certificate at the Agrocalidad office or exit border post your vet chose. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
“Your pet must enter Great Britain within 10 days of the pet health certificate being issued.”
“Una vez aprobada su solicitud podrá retirar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación, de forma física en la oficina de la Agencia o punto fronterizo de salida que seleccionó en la solicitud.”
Official stampLeaving Ecuador
Your vet requests Agrocalidad's export health certificate, at least 72 hours before the trip
Your registered vet sends the request for the export health certificate in GUIA at least 72 hours before the trip and chooses the Agrocalidad office (or exit border post) where you collect the paper certificate, giving the request number. It costs USD 28.90 per animal, debited from the vet's GUIA account: settle it with your vet.
Details and the official words
“Para poder solicitar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de animales de compañía convencionales el Médico veterinario registrado, deberá enviar la solicitud 72 horas previas al viaje y seleccionar la oficina de AGROCALIDAD más cercana para retirar el documento en físico.”
“Recordar que el valor del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido por la Agencia es de $28,90 dólares por animal”
PaperworkEntering the United Kingdom
Non-commercial declaration
Sign a declaration that you won't sell or transfer ownership of your pet.
Details and the official words
“You also need to fill in a declaration if you’re not going to sell or transfer the ownership of your pet.”
Travel day and arrival
RouteEntering the United Kingdom
Use an approved travel route
Book an airline, ferry or rail route that is approved for pet travel into Great Britain.
Details and the official words
“Check your route is approved for pet travel.”
On arrivalEntering the United Kingdom
Checks on arrival
Your pet's microchip and documents are checked on arrival. Pets arriving from outside the EU must be taken through customs (an agent or the airline usually does this).
Details and the official words
If this is missed: Your pet could be put into quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if you travelled by sea — at your expense.
“When you arrive in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland), your pet’s microchip and documents will be checked.”
Good to know
- By plane, pets must travel as cargo into Great Britain unless you fly a chartered private plane or travel with a recognised assistance dog.
- Before you apply, check your destination's entry requirements and your airline's rules, and the rules of any country your pet transits. If your destination isn't covered by Agrocalidad's list, contact certificacion.zoosanitaria@agrocalidad.gob.ec (02 3828860, ext. 2012 or 2013).
- Your pet doesn't need a clinical inspection at Agrocalidad before leaving (the registered vet records it online), but Agrocalidad carries out random inspections before boarding.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Ecuador publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
Agrocalidad export health certificate (per animal)Leaving Ecuador · 28.90 USD for each extra pet28.90 USD
“Recordar que el valor del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido por la Agencia es de $28,90 dólares por animal”
Salida del Ecuador de animales de compañía (perros y gatos) (Agrocalidad) · as of 2026-10-12
Government fees in total: 28.90 USD (each currency separately)
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Rabies blood test: the lab’s own pricean approved laboratory; your vet adds the blood draw and the courier · for: rabies blood test (titer)Prices from 8 countries
Austria: 1 published price
- AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety), Institute for Veterinary Investigations Mödling: Lab price for the rabies antibody titre test for pets (EU-recognised lab), samples sent from EU countries, 20% VAT included; transport to the lab paid by the sender97.26 EUR · per sample · read 2026-10-13
France: 2 published prices
- Laboratoire départemental de la Haute-Garonne (LD31 EVA): Lab price for the FAVN (WOAH/OMSA method) rabies antibody test, VAT included, price guaranteed until 31/12/2026 (from the lab's order form)99 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Inovalys (laboratory): Lab price only: rabies antibody titration (COFRAC accredited), ordered online by the owner; the page says the blood sample is taken by your vet and sending it to the lab is the owner's responsibility (no amounts given for those)99.18 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United Kingdom: 2 published prices
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats for pet travel (test code TC0712), single sample, excluding VAT72.30 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats, extended method (test code TC0570), single sample, excluding VAT106 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
Japan: 1 published price
- Research Institute for Animal Science in Biochemistry and Toxicology (RIAS, 一般財団法人生物科学安全研究所): Lab fee only: rabies antibody test at RIAS (a MAFF-designated lab), tax included, paid in advance by bank transfer; vet's blood draw and shipping not included15,000 JPY · per sample · read 2026-10-13
Poland: 1 published price
- National Veterinary Research Institute (PIWet-PIB), Puławy: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test, standard service (max 21 calendar days), electronic report only, gross (VAT included)280 PLN · per test · read 2026-10-13
Sweden: 1 published price
- Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA): Lab price for the FAVN rabies vaccination-check antibody test (article D142410), excluding VAT (exkl. moms)1,365 SEK · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United States: 1 published price
- University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for pet travel/export (University of Missouri VMDL One Health-Rabies Laboratory); shipping not stated79 USD · per test · read 2026-10-13
South Africa: 1 published price
- Agricultural Research Council – Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR): Lab price for the rabies neutralization (antibody) test per clear serum sample, VAT included; the price list does not name FAVN or RFFIT (ARC-Onderstepoort diagnostic price list, PDF created May 2026)2,030 ZAR · per clear serum sample · read 2026-10-13
No published prices yet for Ecuador: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate (vet’s fee), parasite treatment, vet examination.
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to Ecuador
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Ecuador (dogs).
The trip back asks for 6 steps: older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip, vet examination within 10 days before the trip, internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding and rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) and more.
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Ecuador (cats).
The trip back asks for 6 steps: older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip, vet examination within 10 days before the trip, internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding and rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Ecuador to the United Kingdom?
Yes: Your vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and sends it to an EU-approved lab.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into the United Kingdom?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in the United Kingdom?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for Ecuador to the United Kingdom?
With nothing done yet, start at least about 4 months ahead for a dog. The main steps: microchip, rabies vaccination and rabies blood test (titer) and 4 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
Read next
Turn this into dates for your pet
Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.