01
Microchip before rabies vaccination
Dogs, cats and ferrets need an ISO-compatible microchip before, or on the same day as, their rabies vaccination.
France → Great Britain · via LeShuttle
UK Pet Travel Requirements
UK pet travel requirements, made clear.
A practical checklist for dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from France to England, Scotland or Wales via LeShuttle.
Know what you need, when you need it and what happens at Calais before you travel.
General guidance only. Always confirm your pet’s requirements with your vet and the latest GOV.UK guidance.
01 · Before you travel
Your five-step UK entry checklist
These are the usual requirements for dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain from France. Your vet should confirm the rules for your individual journey.
02
Valid rabies vaccination
The vaccination must be recorded against the correct microchip. After the first rabies vaccination, at least 21 full days must normally pass before travel to Great Britain.
03
Accepted travel document
The right document depends on your journey history, your pet and where the document was issued.
04
Tapeworm treatment for dogs
A vet must give the treatment between 24 and 120 hours before your dog enters Great Britain.
05
Calais pet check before boarding
Documents, microchip details and dog tapeworm timing are checked at the Calais terminal before LeShuttle.
02 · Choose the right paperwork
Which travel document do you have?
The document you need depends on where your pet is travelling from, where the document was issued and your personal circumstances.
01
EU pet passport
A valid EU-issued pet passport can usually be used for a pet travelling from France to Great Britain when the microchip, rabies and other required records are complete.
02
Animal Health Certificate
An AHC may be needed for journeys where an EU pet passport is not the appropriate document. Your official vet can confirm which certificate applies to your circumstances.
03
Great Britain pet health certificate
Some journeys use a Great Britain pet health certificate. Check the issuing country, validity dates and required signatures before travelling.
03 · Dogs only
The dog tapeworm window
The treatment must be administered by a vet between 24 and 120 hours before your dog enters Great Britain.
Count back from UK entry
120 hoursValid treatment window24 hoursUK arrival
Earliest treatmentLatest treatmentEntry point
Ask your vet to record the date and time clearly. Dogs outside this window may be refused entry or placed in quarantine, with the owner responsible for the resulting costs.
04 · At the border
What happens at Calais
For UK-bound LeShuttle travel, the pet reception and document control happen at the Calais terminal before boarding.
01Travel document inspected
02Microchip scanned
03Tapeworm record checked for dogs
04Clearance before boarding
Owners are responsible for checking the current rules with their vet and GOV.UK. EuroPaw can offer general travel guidance but cannot approve veterinary documents.
05 · Check your circumstances
Standard pet travel or additional rules?
The standard rules are not right for every movement. Check early if your journey falls into one of these categories.
More than five animals are travelling, unless an approved event exception applies.
The animal is being sold, rehomed or transferred to a new owner.
Your pet is travelling more than five days before or after you.
The movement is commercial, rescue-related or otherwise not a private owner journey.
For standard pet travel, you must complete a declaration confirming that your pet will not be sold or transferred to a new owner. Confirm the correct process before booking transport.
06 · Avoid delays
Common document problems
A short pre-travel check can prevent avoidable delays at the pet reception.
The 24–120 hour window is missed
The timing is measured before entry into Great Britain, not simply from departure in France.
The microchip and rabies order is wrong
A microchip fitted after rabies vaccination can mean repeating the vaccination and waiting again.
The document is incomplete
Check names, microchip number, dates, signatures and the issuing country before travel day.
Standard rules are used for a non-standard move
Sale, rehoming, transfer, commercial movements or more than five pets may require additional rules.
Questions
Common questions about UK pet travel
The rules can change depending on your direction of travel and your pet’s circumstances. These answers are general guidance, not veterinary or border approval.
07 · Official guidance
Check the latest source
Use the official rules alongside your vet’s advice before you travel.
Last reviewed: 31 August 2026
GOV.UK
Bringing a pet to Great Britain
The official starting point for standard travel rules, declarations and movements that may require additional requirements.
GOV.UK
Which pet travel document you need
Official guidance on accepted travel documents for pets entering Great Britain.
GOV.UK
Tapeworm treatment for dogs
Official timing guidance for dogs entering Great Britain.
LeShuttle
Pet reception before boarding
Operator guidance on taking your pet to the Calais pet reception.
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Door-to-door passenger transport for dogs travelling from anywhere in France.
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Calais to UK pet taxi
Short France to Great Britain journeys via the Calais pet check.