Flying with a dog from Canada to the UK: full 2026 guide
Last updated: June 2026 · 7 min read
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Key facts at a glance
The certificate that trips people up
Dogs entering Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) from Canada need the Great Britain Health Certificate, known as the GBHC640. This is a specific document, different from the EU Animal Health Certificate. Using the EU version for a flight landing in England will result in refusal at the border.
If your destination is Northern Ireland specifically, the document you need flips: Northern Ireland requires the EU Animal Health Certificate, not the GBHC. This distinction matters if you are connecting through Belfast versus any mainland UK airport.
Step by step: what to do before you fly
Your dog needs an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, and it must have been implanted on or before the date of the most recent rabies vaccination. If the vaccination came first, that vaccination is invalid for UK entry. Both the chip number and implantation date must appear on the health certificate.
A primary rabies vaccination must be at least 21 days old before arrival in the UK. If the vaccine has lapsed and your dog has had a new vaccination, that new one is treated as a primary and the 21-day wait applies again from the date it was given. If boosters were given without a gap in coverage, no waiting period applies.
The health certificate for Great Britain (GBHC640) must be issued by a licensed veterinarian in Canada and then endorsed by a CFIA veterinarian. This is a two-step process. The certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of the vet's signature, so time the appointment carefully relative to your flight.
For dogs only, a licensed veterinarian must administer a praziquantel tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before your dog arrives in the UK. The treatment date and time, product name, active ingredient, and the vet's signature must all be recorded on the health certificate. A treatment given outside this window is not valid, even if it happened recently.
Most transatlantic routes require dogs to travel as cargo or checked baggage unless your dog is small enough for an under-seat carrier on that specific airline and aircraft. Book the pet space at the same time as your ticket, and confirm directly with the airline that the route accepts pets - policies can vary by aircraft type and season.
Not every UK arrival point accepts pets. You must arrive through an APHA-approved port of entry where documents will be checked and your dog's microchip scanned. Check GOV.UK for the current list of approved ports before booking your flights.
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APHA border staff check the recorded time of the tapeworm treatment against your arrival time. A treatment given 121 hours before arrival is outside the window. A treatment given 23 hours before arrival is also outside the window. The timing must be exact, and it must be recorded with the date and time of administration, not just the date. If you change flights and your arrival time shifts, the treatment window may need to be recalculated.
What it will cost
The total cost combines the Canadian veterinarian's exam and certificate fees, the CFIA endorsement fee, the airline's pet fee for transatlantic cargo or cabin travel, and a separate vet appointment for the tapeworm treatment. Veterinary fees for international health certificates in Canada vary by clinic. Budget for at least two separate vet visits: one for the certificate itself (which includes exam, paperwork, and CFIA submission), and one timed within the 24-120 hour window specifically for the tapeworm treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Canada is on the UK's Part 2 listed countries list, which means a standard rabies vaccination is sufficient. No titer test or waiting period beyond the initial 21-day post-vaccination window is required.
No. They are different documents. The GBHC (Great Britain Health Certificate) is required for England, Scotland, and Wales. If your destination is Northern Ireland, you need the EU Animal Health Certificate instead. Using the wrong certificate will result in refusal at the border.
Between 24 and 120 hours before your dog arrives in the UK. The treatment must be administered by a licensed veterinarian and the date, time, product name, and active ingredient recorded in your health certificate. Treatment outside this window is not valid.
Most transatlantic flights require pets to travel as cargo or checked baggage. Small pets under the airline's cabin weight limit may travel in-cabin on some carriers on shorter segments, but confirm your specific airline's policy for transatlantic routes before booking.
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