From 1 January 2012 the rules for pets entering the country under the Pet Travel Scheme will change as the UK aligns its Scheme with the EU-wide pet movement system (EU Regulation 998/2003). The tables below give details on the current UK rules for pets entering the UK from the EU and non-EU countries, and how they will change from 1 January 2012.

The rules will become simpler for pets coming from the EU and certain non-EU countries ‘listed’ in the EU Regulation (e.g. USA, Australia and Japan) as these animals will no longer require a post-vaccination blood test and the pre-entry waiting period will be considerably shorter. Similarly, from 1 January 2012, pets coming from other non-EU countries which are not ‘listed’ in the Regulation (e.g. China and South Africa) will be entitled to enter the UK without having to undergo six months compulsory quarantine - provided they meet the entry controls.

Under the new rules pets entering or re-entering the UK will continue to be checked to ensure they meet the requirements of the scheme.

Voluntary quarantine will also continue as an option. This will enable pet owners who are not able to meet the entry requirements, or who need to travel with their pets at short notice, to voluntarily place their animals in quarantine and apply for an import licence beforehand, as they do at present. Further information, including a detailed Q&A, is available here.