Information about importing and exporting pets
Animal Import Notification
- A pre-notification must be completed at least 24 hours prior to the arrival of animals into the Bailiwick. Please follow this link to complete the notification.
- An import notification is not required for pets travelling with their owners from the UK (including Northern Ireland) or Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands & Isle of Man).
Travelling with pet cats, dogs and ferrets between the Bailiwick, the UK, other Channel Islands or Isle of Man
- There are no official requirements for pet cats, dogs or ferrets travelling with their owners between the Bailiwick and:
- the UK (except movements to Northern Ireland)
- the Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands & Isle of Man)
- Pet cats, dogs and ferrets travelling with their owners from the UK (including Northern Ireland)/Crown Dependencies to the Bailiwick do not require a pet passport or any other documentation.
- If travelling from abroad, they must have legally landed in the UK/Crown Dependencies before onward travel to the Bailiwick.
- There are no vaccinations required.
- However, you should discuss your pet's health with your vet before travelling to make sure it's fit to travel and properly cared for.
- The minimum age for pet cats, dogs or ferrets to travel is 8 weeks old.
- The UK requires all dogs older than 8 weeks to be microchipped. Please ensure that your dog is microchipped and registered on an approved database prior to travelling to the UK.
- Pet cats, dogs and ferrets may travel with any airline or ferry operator who agrees to carry your pet.
- The operator may require you to obtain a fitness to travel certificate from your vet.
- Pet cats, dogs and ferrets can be transported into the Bailiwick with their owners on a private boat or plane.
- You must not visit a foreign port (excluding Northern Ireland and Ireland) on the way.
- Dangerous dogs and hybrids of dogs and cats cannot be imported into the Bailiwick. Please see the list of banned dog breeds on the general import licence.
- Commercial movements of pets (including for re-homing) follow different rules, please see "Commercial Pet Imports" below.
Travelling with pet cats, dogs and ferrets to the Bailiwick from Northern Ireland
- Check the latest requirements for pets travelling to and from Northern Ireland on the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs website.
- Pet cats, dogs and ferrets can be transported into the Bailiwick with their owners on a private boat or plane from Northern Ireland.
- Commercial movements of pets (including for re-homing) follow different rules, please see "Commercial Pet Imports" below.
Travelling with pet cats, dogs and ferrets from the Bailiwick to the EU (including Northern Ireland)
- Check the latest requirements for pets travelling to and from Northern Ireland on the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs website.
- Travelling to the EU/NI
- When travelling to an EU country or NI, your pet needs:
- A microchip,
- A valid rabies vaccination,
- An animal health certificate or valid pet passport that's accepted in the country you're travelling to,
- Tapeworm treatment for dogs if you're travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta.
- These requirements also apply to assistance dogs.
- Check the rules of the country you're travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.
- You'll need to go through a travellers' point of entry when you arrive in an EU country or NI. You may need to show your pet's animal health certificate or valid pet passport, along with proof of their microchip, rabies vaccination, tapeworm treatment (if required).
- For information on French import requirements, please follow this link.
- Repeat trips to the EU/NI
- Your pet will need a new animal health certificate for each trip.
- Your pet will not need a repeat rabies vaccination so long as its rabies vaccinations are up to date.
- Your dog will need tapeworm treatment for each trip if you're travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway.
- Travelling to the EU/NI with more than 5 pets
- You cannot take more than 5 pets to an EU country or Northern Ireland unless you're attending or training for a:
- competition
- show
- sporting event
- You'll need written evidence of registration for the event when you travel.
- All your pets must:
- be attending the event or training,
- be over 6 months old and,
- meet all the other requirements for travel to that country.
- If you're travelling with more than 5 pets and it is not for the reasons listed above, this will require different documentation. Please contact the States Vets for more information.
Travelling with pet cats, dogs and ferrets to the Bailiwick directly from the EU (excluding Northern Ireland)
- You can enter or return to the Bailiwick with your pet cat, dog or ferret if it:
- Has been microchipped,
- Has a pet passport or health certificate - see below,
- Has been vaccinated against rabies - it will also need a blood test if travelling from a country that is not "listed",
- Is tapeworm treated by a vet (dogs only) and,
- Enters on an approved route via an approved carrier.
- All pets imported into the Bailiwick from the EU must be pre-notified in writing at least 24h prior to arrival. See "Animal Import Notification" for more information.
- Your pet may be put into quarantine for up to 4 months/refused entry if you do not follow these rules. You're responsible for any fees or charges.
- You must follow extra rules if the animals will be sold or re-homed in the Bailiwick. See "Commercial Pet Imports" below.
- Your pet must have one of the following documents when returning to the Bailiwick:
- A valid pet passport if travelling from a "part 1" listed country or
- An animal health certificate (AHC) issued in Great Britain, Channel Islands or Isle of Man (valid up to 4 months after it was issued) or
- A Great Britain pet health certificate, if you're travelling from a "part 2" or "not listed" country, or a "part 1" country that does not issue pet passports.
Approved Carriers and Routes
- Pets can only enter the Bailiwick via St Peter Port Harbour and La Villaize Airport.
- A list of approved carriers can be found here.
- The only approved carrier for entry via the harbour is on Condor Ferries.
- Entry via the airport must be operated through either Aiglle or ASG hangers. Carriers can contact these hangers or the States Vets for details on how to become approved.
- Pet cats, dogs and ferrets can only be transported into the Bailiwick with their owners on a private boat or plane, without approval, from the UK, Crown Dependencies, Ireland or Northern Ireland.
Commercial Pet Imports
- Commercial imports of pet cats, dogs and ferrets include pets for re-homing.
- Information on commercial animal movements can be found here.
Re-homing of pets to the Bailiwick
- Re-homing of pet cats, dogs and ferrets is classified as a commercial import. Please see "Commercial Pet Imports" above.
Dangerous Dogs
- Dogs of the following breeds or cross breeds cannot be imported into the Bailiwick without a licence:
- Akbash Dog
- American Bulldog
- American Bully (including XL Bully types)
- American Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Anatolian Shepherd Dog
- Ban Dog (or Bandog) Type
- Boerbull Mastiff
- Cane Corso
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Central Asian Shepherd Dog
- Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese tosa
- Kangal Shepherd
- Moscow Guard Dog
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Perro de Presa Canario
- Perro de Presa Mallorquin
- Pit Bull Terrier Type
- Šarplaninac
- South Russian Ovcharka
- Spanish Mastiff a.k.a. Mastín Español
- Tornjak
- Tosa Inu
- Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog
- Wolf Hybrid F1-4
- Should you wish to import one of the above breeds, you can apply for an import licence here.
CITES Listed Pets and Hybrids (Endangered Species)
- Follow this link for information on CITES listed pets and hybrids.
Pet Rabbits and Rodents
- Pet mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and chinchillas can be imported into the Bailiwick for non-commercial purposes under the general import licence.
- A specific import licence will be required for commercial imports, including for re-homing, please apply for a licence by completing this form.
- Please note, all animals imported into the Bailiwick must be pre-notified in writing to the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation. See "Animal Import Notification" for more information.
- If you are travelling to an EU country with any other pets, such as birds, ornamental aquatic animals, reptiles, rodents or rabbits, check the national rules of the country you are planning to visit for information on the entry conditions.
Pet Birds
- Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulates), Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), Finches and Canaries can be imported from a Member State of the European Community, Northern Ireland, Great Britain or the Crown Dependencies under the general import licence.
- Please note, all animals imported into the Bailiwick must be pre-notified in writing to the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation. See "Animal Import Notification" for more information.
- Some pet birds, in particular parrots and birds of prey, are classed as endangered species and may require CITES permits to travel. For further information follow this link.
- If you are travelling to an EU country with any other pets, such as birds, ornamental aquatic animals, reptiles, rodents or rabbits, check the national rules of the country you are planning to visit for information on the entry conditions.
Reptiles and Amphibians
- Reptiles and amphibians cannot be imported without a specific import licence.
- Please submit a completed import application form at least 10 working days before your intended day of import to svo@gov.gg.
- Venomous animals cannot be imported.
- Please note, all animals imported into the Bailiwick must be pre-notified in writing to the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation. See "Animal Import Notification" for more information.
- Many reptiles (such as tortoises) and amphibians are classed as endangered species and require CITES permits. Follow this link for further information.
- If you are travelling to an EU country with any other pets, such as birds, ornamental aquatic animals, reptiles, rodents or rabbits, check the national rules of the country you are planning to visit for information on the entry conditions
Other Imports
- Anything not listed on the general import licence will require a specific import licence to be imported into the Bailiwick.
- Please submit a completed import application form at least 10 working days before your intended day of import to svo@gov.gg.
- A licence may have conditions such as health requirements, which may include pre-movement and/or post-movement isolation, health checks and tests. Costs to be borne by the importer.
- Please note, all animals imported into the Bailiwick must be pre-notified in writing to the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation. See "Animal Import Notification" for more information.
