Pet Transport Colombia to UK: Titre Test, ICA Cert and 2026 Requirements
Relocating a pet from Colombia to United Kingdom follows a clear path once you understand what United Kingdom asks for. This is a middle of the road route, and about 16-20 weeks of …
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must …
Rabies vaccinationCurrent rabies vaccination required. At …
Rabies titre testRequired. Colombia is an unlisted …
QuarantineNo routine quarantine for pets from any …
Health certificateAHC issued by an ICA-registered …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Colombia to United Kingdom
typically takes around 16-20 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
Start of planning. Allow 4-5 months minimum.
Implant ISO microchip if not already done. Microchip must predate the first rabies vaccination.
Responsible: Your vet
2
4-5 months before intended travel.
Administer (or verify) primary rabies vaccination. Wait at least 30 days before drawing blood for the titre test.
Responsible: Your vet
3
4-5 months before travel (30 days after primary vaccination).
Blood drawn for FAVN titre test at an APHA-approved laboratory. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above. 90-day waiting period starts from the date of the successful test.
Responsible: Your vet and approved lab
4
6-8 weeks before travel.
Apply for ICA export permit via the ICA online portal. Allow at least 15 days for processing.
Responsible: You or your agent
5
6-8 weeks before travel.
Book cargo space from Bogota (BOG) to London (LHR or LGW) on British Airways or Avianca. Confirm cargo acceptance and routing.
Responsible: You or your cargo agent
6
1-5 days before UK arrival.
For dogs: tapeworm treatment by your Colombian vet, 24 to 120 hours before UK arrival. Recorded in the travel document.
Responsible: Your Colombian vet
7
Within 10 days of travel.
Obtain the official health certificate from your ICA-registered vet within 10 days of travel.
Responsible: ICA-registered official vet
Checklist
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must be implanted before or on the same day as the primary rabies vaccination. Source: GOV.UK.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. At least 21 days must have elapsed after the primary vaccination before the titre test blood draw.
Rabies titre test
Required. Colombia is an unlisted country under UK pet travel rules. A FAVN rabies antibody titre test is mandatory. Blood drawn at least 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above at an APHA-approved laboratory. A 90-day waiting period begins from the date of the successful test before the pet may travel to the UK. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for pets from any country arriving with correct documentation. Penalty quarantine applies if documents are incomplete. Source: GOV.UK.
Health certificate
AHC issued by an ICA-registered Colombian official vet within 10 days of travel, covering microchip, vaccination, titre test reference, and tapeworm treatment (dogs).
Export permit
ICA Import/Export Permit required for live animals leaving Colombia. Apply via the ICA online portal at least 15 days before travel.
Health certificate
Official Veterinary Health Certificate issued by an ICA-registered official veterinarian (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario). Must be endorsed by ICA. For UK entry, this certificate serves as the Animal Health Certificate. Must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation. Issued within 10 days of travel.
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Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
British Airways
British Airways operates from Bogota El Dorado (BOG) to London Heathrow (LHR). BA World Cargo accepts pets as manifested cargo on the BOG-LHR route. This is the most direct UK-bound option from Bogota. Book well in advance.
Cargo Only
Avianca
Avianca operates BOG to Heathrow and Gatwick. Avianca Cargo accepts pets. Avianca has a large Colombian network and familiarity with animal export documentation. Confirm cargo slot availability and specific restrictions before booking.
Cargo Only
Iberia
Via Madrid Barajas (MAD) from Bogota, with Iberia Cargo connection to London. A common routing for Colombia to UK pet cargo, with Madrid transit typically manageable for animal welfare.
Cargo Only
Air France-KLM Cargo
Via Paris CDG or Amsterdam AMS from Bogota, with connections to the UK. Air France-KLM Cargo covers the South America to Europe corridor and accepts pets. Confirm UK final leg arrangement.
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test at APHA-approved lab: USD 150-350 (approximately GBP 120-280)
ICA permit: minimal fee via online portal
ICA-registered official vet health certificate: GBP 80-180
Tapeworm treatment (dogs): GBP 20-50
IATA-compliant travel crate: GBP 60-250 if needed
International pet cargo Bogota to London: GBP 900-2,200 depending on crate size
Pet transport agent fees: GBP 200-500
Total typical range: GBP 1,500-3,500
Critical points
The 90-day wait after a successful titre test is the most important timeline constraint. The wait starts from the date of the blood draw that passes, not from the date you receive results. Plan the titre test at least 4 months before your intended travel date.
The blood draw for the titre test must happen at least 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination. You cannot rush this sequence: microchip first, then vaccination, then 30-day wait, then blood draw, then 90-day wait.
ICA permits expire. Check permit validity dates against your travel date and obtain the export permit close enough to travel that it covers the actual journey.
Colombia is an unlisted country. Do not use resources prepared for Chile or Argentina pet travel, as those countries have different UK import classifications. The requirements are materially different.
The rules for bringing a pet into United Kingdom
United Kingdom has a clear set of import requirements that are manageable with some planning. Follow them in order and keep an eye on the dates that cannot move.
How to keep this move on track
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
FAQ
Common questions
The UK classifies countries into listed and unlisted categories based on their rabies disease status and equivalent standards. Chile is listed (Part 2), meaning the titre test is waived. Colombia is unlisted, which means the FAVN titre test and 90-day waiting period are mandatory. The distinction is country-specific and set by GOV.UK. Source: GOV.UK listed and unlisted countries, 2026.
A minimum of four to five months. The sequence is: microchip implantation, primary rabies vaccination, 30-day wait before blood draw, FAVN titre test at APHA-approved lab, 90-day waiting period after successful test, then the final health certificate and cargo booking. You cannot compress any step in this chain.
British Airways operates the direct BOG-LHR route and accepts pets as manifested cargo via BA World Cargo. Avianca Cargo is a strong alternative from Bogota with good experience in Colombian animal exports. Iberia via Madrid is a common third option. All operate pets as cargo only, not cabin.
No routine quarantine for dogs and cats arriving with correct documentation. Penalty quarantine of up to 4 months applies only if documentation is incomplete, the pet arrives without a valid titre test, or an unapproved route is used. Source: GOV.UK.
Dogs must receive a praziquantel tapeworm treatment administered by a vet, recorded in the travel document, between 24 and 120 hours before the scheduled UK arrival time. This is a five-day window ending 24 hours before arrival. Timing is from UK arrival, not Colombian departure. Cats are not subject to this requirement.
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