Pet Microchipping for International Travel: What You Need to Know

The microchip is the foundation of every international pet move. It is the permanent link between your animal and all the documentation that allows it to travel. Understanding how it works – and the failure modes – helps you avoid problems at the border.

Why the Microchip Comes First

Almost every country’s pet import rules specify that the microchip must be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccination. Why? Because the microchip is how the system links a specific animal to a specific vaccination record.

If the vaccination is administered and then the chip is implanted:

• The vaccination record references an animal with no chip ID
• The chip cannot be retroactively linked to that vaccination
• For countries requiring a titre test (Australia, Japan, New Zealand), the entire sequence is invalidated

Always: chip first, vaccinate after.

ISO 11784/11785: The International Standard

The vast majority of countries require ISO standard chips. These are 15-digit chips that transmit at 134.2 kHz. Standard ISO chips from all reputable manufacturers are read by standard AVID, Trovan, Destron, and universal scanners.

The 10-digit chip problem: Some dogs chipped in the USA before the ISO standard became universal may have 10-digit chips (125 kHz). These are not read by standard international scanners. Options:

1. Have a second ISO chip implanted (two chips is not a problem for most border vets)
2. Carry your own scanner and offer to scan the animal yourself (most border posts prefer to use their own equipment)

The cleaner solution is an additional ISO chip.

Getting Your Pet Microchipped

A microchip implantation is a simple procedure, similar to a vaccination injection. No anaesthetic is needed in most cases. A trained vet inserts the chip via a needle at the recommended position between the shoulder blades.

After implantation:

• The chip number should be recorded immediately in the veterinary record
• Register the chip on the relevant national database (Petlog in the UK, AKC in the USA, national registries elsewhere)
• Update the database with your current contact details

Pre-Travel Chip Verification

Before any international move, ask your vet to scan your pet specifically to:

1. Confirm the chip is readable
2. Confirm the chip number matches what is recorded in all documents
3. Check for chip migration (particularly in cats)

A mismatch between the chip number on the health certificate and the number actually scanned is one of the most common border problems – and it is entirely preventable.

Chip Migration

Chips can migrate from their original implant site, particularly in cats. A chip implanted between the shoulder blades may move to the side of the neck or the flank over months or years. Border scanners should scan the whole body, not just the standard position, but this is not always done under time pressure.

At your pre-travel vet visit, confirm where the chip is actually located and scan it. Note the actual position if it has migrated, and inform the border vet on arrival.

Database Registration: After International Moves

When you arrive in your new country, register your pet’s chip number on the local database:

• UK: Petlog (petlog.org.uk) or MicrochipCentral
• Australia: Australian Animal Registry
• USA: AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup
• EU: Many countries have national databases; some participate in the EU database

This helps reunite you with your pet if they are lost in the new country.

Microchip requirements may vary by destination. Always verify with the destination country’s veterinary authority before travel.