BRINGING A CAT FROMSouth Africa to United Kingdom
Cat · Moving
Bringing a dog instead?No quarantine when the paperwork is in order. Needs port of entry, transport rules, microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody (titer) test, animal health certificate, owner's declaration, non-commercial limits and customs declaration.
Always confirm with the destination's official authority and your airline before travelling.
Entry requirements
Rabies blood test at an EU-approved lab and a 3-month wait from the blood sample, then the GB pet health certificate within 10 days of arrival; air cargo on an approved route.
Travel on an APHA-approved route and carrier — see the entry points (commercial airlines fly pets into London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Newcastle as of 2026-09-22). Link to the live list.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Travel on an APHA-approved route and carrier — see the entry points (commercial airlines fly pets into London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Newcastle as of 2026-09-22). Link to the live list.
Source:APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: approved air, sea and rail carriers and routes)· checked 04 Oct 2026
By plane the pet must travel as cargo (not in the cabin), except on chartered private planes or for assistance dogs. By private boat only from Ireland or Northern Ireland.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
By plane the pet must travel as cargo (not in the cabin), except on chartered private planes or for assistance dogs. By private boat only from Ireland or Northern Ireland.
Microchip before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination; if the chip later cannot be read, re-chipping means repeating vaccination and blood test.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Microchip before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination; if the chip later cannot be read, re-chipping means repeating vaccination and blood test.
before or on the day of the rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccine at ≥12 weeks of age; boosters on time — a missed booster means revaccination and a new blood test.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Rabies vaccine at ≥12 weeks of age; boosters on time — a missed booster means revaccination and a new blood test.
at least 21 full days after the primary vaccination (the blood-test wait is longer)
Blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination, tested at an EU-approved laboratory; result at least 0.5 IU/ml; blood-sample date entered in the GB pet health certificate. Stays valid while rabies boosters are kept up to date.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination, tested at an EU-approved laboratory; result at least 0.5 IU/ml; blood-sample date entered in the GB pet health certificate. Stays valid while rabies boosters are kept up to date.
blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination
travel no earlier than 3 months after the blood sample date ("before you travel")
No 3-month wait if the pet was vaccinated, blood-tested and documented in the EU before going to the unlisted country.
The blood test stays valid while boosters are on time.
Great Britain pet health certificate signed, stamped and dated by an official veterinarian of the origin government. A pet passport or a GB AHC cannot be used from a not-listed country.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Great Britain pet health certificate signed, stamped and dated by an official veterinarian of the origin government. A pet passport or a GB AHC cannot be used from a not-listed country.
Source:APHA (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: apply for a Great Britain pet health certificate)· checked 04 Oct 2026
Fill in the pet travel declaration that the pet will not be sold or its ownership transferred.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Fill in the pet travel declaration that the pet will not be sold or its ownership transferred.
Max 5 pets unless attending/training for a competition, show or sporting event (all over 6 months old, with written evidence). More than 5 pets, pet arriving more than 5 days before/after the owner, or sale/rehoming → commercial "Balai" rules instead.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Max 5 pets unless attending/training for a competition, show or sporting event (all over 6 months old, with written evidence). More than 5 pets, pet arriving more than 5 days before/after the owner, or sale/rehoming → commercial "Balai" rules instead.
Arriving from outside the EU, the pet is released only after customs clearance (usually done by an agent, the airline or travel company).
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Arriving from outside the EU, the pet is released only after customs clearance (usually done by an agent, the airline or travel company).
- Example for Thailand → GB (checked 2026-09-22 list); the airline table changes often. — APHA / Defra (GOV.UK)
- Preparation time 18 weeks: vaccine (day 0) → blood sample from day 30 → travel no earlier than 3 months after the sample (~day 121) → certificate within the last 10 days; plus lab turnaround.
No quarantine when the paperwork is in order
If the pet does not meet the rules: Quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if the pet came by sea; the owner pays any fees or charges.
Source:Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Put your pet in rabies quarantine)· checked 04 Oct 2026+1 more
Timeline
Working out your dates…
Documents
One paper per requirement above; carry originals. 0 of 6 ready.
Official fees
The official pages we researched for this route name no fee. Vet, lab and airline charges are not covered here.
Entry points
Where a pet may enter the United Kingdom, per the rules.
- List as of 2026-09-22The lists change often (seven updates between 7 August and 22 September 2026): check the live lists close to the day you travel.No approved route is needed when travelling from the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland.Source:APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: approved air, sea and rail carriers and routes)· checked 04 Oct 2026
- List as of 2026-09-22Commercial airlines approved to fly pets into GB arrive at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Newcastle (as of the list updated 2026-09-22; charter operators use more airports). The list names each airline with the airports it may fly pets into.Source:APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: airlines and airports you can use)· checked 04 Oct 2026
- List as of 2026-09-22Approved sea and rail routes into GB include ferries from France, the Netherlands and Spain and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (Calais–Folkestone). Eurostar is listed only for journeys out of London, not into GB.Source:APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: sea and rail routes and companies you can use)· checked 04 Oct 2026
Airlines
Airline rules are separate from entry rules and change without notice — confirm in writing when you book. Only what the carriers' own pages say, read 25 Sep 2026. All airlines
- Lufthansa LHCabinYesHoldYesSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- Emirates EKCabinNoHoldYesSnub-nosedCargo: only Nov – Apr
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 45 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: not 1 May – 31 Oct
- Qantas QFCabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedNot stated
- CabinYesHoldNoSnub-nosedHold, cargo: no
- CabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no
- CabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedCargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: restricted
Announced changes
- DATE NOT ANNOUNCEDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025: the first regulations must ban bringing into England, Scotland or Wales dogs under 6 months, more than 42 days pregnant, or mutilated (e.g. cropped ears). Sections 1–7 start on a date set by regulations; not in force on 2026-09-24.
- DATE NOT ANNOUNCEDSame Act, cats: the first regulations must ban bringing in cats under 6 months, more than 42 days pregnant, or mutilated (e.g. declawed). Not in force on 2026-09-24.
- DATE NOT ANNOUNCEDSame Act, section 5: a non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets will be capped at 5 animals per vehicle (including a vehicle on a train or ferry) and 3 per person otherwise. Not in force on 2026-09-24.
Return trip to South Africa
Moderate for a returning pet (no separate returning-resident rule; standard import rules apply), about 5 weeks of preparation. No quarantine when the paperwork is in order.
- Import permit — 4+ weeks before arrival: A Veterinary Import Permit from the Department of Agriculture's permit office, in hand before the cat leaves the exporting country. Use the cat form. Pay the permit fee first: R250 from 1 April 2026, within 5 working days before you apply. Individuals put their ID or passport number as the reference. E-mail the form and the proof of payment to the permit office. Apply at least 4 weeks before arrival; processing takes 5–10 working days. The permit is valid for a limited period and for one consignment only. The specimen health certificate is sent with it.
- Residence period — 6+ months before departure: The health certificate states that the cat has lived in the exporting country since birth, or in the exporting country or South Africa for the last 6 months. The sources do not say what happens to a cat that moved more recently; ask the permit office.
Source:Department of Agriculture — Directorate Food Import and Export Standards (permit office) (opens official site: Application to import domestic cats into the RSA)· checked 25 Sep 2026+5 more
Full checklist for a cat from United Kingdom to South Africa
Leaving United Kingdom with the pet
- Leaving Great Britain with a pet is not researched yet — GOV.UK covers it under "taking your pet abroad".
What they actually checked at the border
Reports from people who made this trip, read by a person before publishing.
No traveller reports here yet. If you have made this trip, tell the next person what was actually checked at the border.
Share your tripSources
Every requirement above comes from one of these pages. Last researched 24 Sep 2026. Seen a change? Tell us.
- Pet travel: approved air, sea and rail carriers and routes (opens official site)APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) · used for: port of entry, entry points, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-09-22
- Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain (printable guide) (opens official site)Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) · used for: transport rules, microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody (titer) test, animal health certificate, owner's declaration, non-commercial limits, customs declaration, which origins the rule covers, quarantine, this route, leaving with the pet · checked 24 Sep 2026 · document dated 2024-10-24
- Pet travel: apply for a Great Britain pet health certificate (opens official site)APHA (GOV.UK) · used for: animal health certificate, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2023-03-16
- Put your pet in rabies quarantine (opens official site)Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) · used for: quarantine, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2025-09-08
- Pet travel: airlines and airports you can use (opens official site)APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) · used for: notes, entry points, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-09-22
- Pet travel: sea and rail routes and companies you can use (opens official site)APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) · used for: entry points, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-09-22
- Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 (sections 1, 5, 8 — not yet in force) (opens official site)The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk) · used for: announced changes · checked 04 Oct 2026
- Application to import domestic cats into the RSA (opens official site)Department of Agriculture — Directorate Food Import and Export Standards (permit office) · used for: return trip · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2019-11
- Information document on the importation of dogs and cats into the Republic of South Africa (opens official site)Department of Agriculture (formerly DALRRD) — Directorate Animal Health, Import Export Policy Unit · used for: return trip · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2022-06-08
- Veterinary import permit office — application reference numbers and proof of payment (opens official site)Department of Agriculture — Directorate Food Import and Export Standards · used for: return trip · checked 25 Sep 2026 · document dated 2025-09-05
- Veterinary health certificate in respect of cats for export to the Republic of South Africa (USDA APHIS) (opens official site)USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) · used for: return trip · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2005-07
- Veterinary health certificate — export of cats to the Republic of South Africa (HA2124) (opens official site)Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) · used for: return trip · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2024-11-14
- Export of cats from the United Kingdom to the Republic of South Africa — health certificate 6257EHC v4 (opens official site)Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Defra · used for: return trip · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2017-08-08
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