Customs Declarations When Travelling with Pets: What You Actually Need to Declare
Crossing an international border with a pet raises questions beyond just the animal’s health certificate. What about the pet food in your bag? The flea treatment? The month’s supply of prescription medication? This guide covers the customs side of international pet travel.
Declaring the Animal
When you arrive at a border with a pet, you must declare it. The mechanism varies:
- Airport arrivals: Use the red channel or the live animal inspection point (BIP for EU/UK arrivals). Do not use the nothing to declare (green) channel.
- Land borders: Declare at the veterinary checkpoint; some borders have dedicated live animal lanes
- Ferry arrivals: Most ferry operators require pets to be registered at check-in; customs inspection on arrival
Failure to declare a pet is a customs and animal health offence in most jurisdictions. Penalties range from fines to animal confiscation.
Pet Food: What Can You Bring?
| Destination | Rules |
|---|---|
| EU | No restrictions on commercial pet food within EU; strict rules on import from outside EU |
| UK | Commercial pet food permitted in sensible personal quantities; raw/fresh meat products restricted |
| Australia | Strict biosecurity; sealed commercial pet food usually permitted; raw/fresh/dried meat: prohibited or needs inspection |
| New Zealand | Similar to Australia; sealed commercial pet food usually permitted; raw: prohibited |
| USA | Commercial sealed pet food: generally permitted; homemade or raw: may be inspected |
When in doubt: carry sealed commercial pet food with the original packaging and ingredient list.
Medications
For travelling with a pet’s prescription medication:
- Carry the original packaging
- Carry a copy of the veterinary prescription
- Carry a letter from your vet explaining the medication and why it is prescribed
- Declare medications with customs if amounts are above normal personal-use quantities
Most countries permit a reasonable supply (4-8 weeks) of a pet’s prescribed medication. For longer stays, establish a relationship with a vet at the destination.
Controlled substances (some pain medications, sedatives) require additional documentation and may require a special import permit. Research the destination country’s veterinary drug regulations before travel.
Travelling with Pet Accessories
CITES-listed materials – certain leather goods, feathers, fur – can cause customs issues even when part of a pet accessory (a collar made with exotic leather, for example). Check CITES regulations if your pet’s accessories contain unusual materials.
Sources: APHA UK import restrictions; Australian DAFF biosecurity guidance; EU animal product import rules. Data current as of June 2026.