Pet Transport Costa Rica to UK: Titre Test, SENASA Permit and 2026 Requirements
If you are relocating a pet from Costa Rica to United Kingdom, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Allow around 16-20 weeks and follow the steps in order to stay …
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must …
Rabies vaccinationCurrent rabies vaccination required. At …
Rabies titre testRequired. Costa Rica is unlisted under …
QuarantineNo routine quarantine for compliant …
Health certificateAHC from SENASA-CR-registered official …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Costa Rica 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
4-5 months before travel.
Confirm ISO microchip is implanted and predates the rabies vaccination record.
Responsible: Your vet
2
4-5 months before travel.
Primary rabies vaccination confirmed current. Note the date for titre test scheduling.
Responsible: Your vet
3
4 months before travel.
FAVN titre blood draw at least 30 days after primary vaccination. Submit to APHA-approved laboratory. 90-day wait begins from blood draw date if test passes.
Responsible: Your vet and APHA-approved laboratory
4
6-8 weeks before travel.
Apply for SENASA Costa Rica export permit via online portal, at least 2 weeks before travel.
Responsible: You or your agent
5
6-8 weeks before travel.
Book cargo from San Jose (SJO) to London via Madrid or US connection. Confirm live animal acceptance throughout the route.
Responsible: You or cargo agent
6
1-5 days before UK arrival.
Tapeworm treatment (dogs): 24 to 120 hours before UK arrival. Vet-administered and recorded.
Responsible: Your Costa Rican vet
7
Within 10 days of travel.
Obtain SENASA-CR-endorsed health certificate within 10 days of travel.
Responsible: SENASA-CR-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 predate the primary rabies vaccination. Source: GOV.UK.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. At least 30 days between primary vaccination and titre blood draw. Source: GOV.UK.
Rabies titre test
Required. Costa Rica is unlisted under UK pet travel rules. FAVN titre test at an APHA-approved laboratory, blood drawn at least 30 days after primary vaccination, result 0.5 IU/ml or above. 90-day waiting period from date of successful blood draw before travel. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant pets. Penalty quarantine up to 4 months for non-compliance. Source: GOV.UK.
Health certificate
AHC from SENASA-CR-registered official vet, issued within 10 days of travel. Covers microchip, vaccination, titre test, and tapeworm treatment for dogs.
Export permit
SENASA Costa Rica export permit required for live animals. Apply via SENASA portal at least 2 weeks before travel.
Health certificate
Official Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a SENASA-registered official veterinarian (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal, Costa Rica) and endorsed by SENASA-CR. For UK entry this functions as the Animal Health Certificate. Issued within 10 days of travel.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Costa Rica to United Kingdom move gets missed.
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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.
Iberia
Iberia operates from San Jose Juan Santamaria International (SJO) via Madrid Barajas (MAD) to London Heathrow. Iberia Cargo accepts pets on this corridor. The Madrid transit is short relative to the full journey from Central America.
Cargo Only
British Airways
British Airways does not operate a direct SJO-LHR route but connects via US gateways on partner carriers. BA World Cargo accepts the final leg into Heathrow. Confirm routing with a specialist cargo agent.
Cargo Only
American Airlines
American Airlines operates SJO to Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), and other US gateways. Onward cargo to the UK can be arranged via partner carriers. American handles a large volume of Costa Rica cargo due to the established US connection.
Cargo Only
United Airlines
United operates SJO to Houston (IAH) and Newark (EWR). Onward cargo connections to London Heathrow are available. Confirm live animal acceptance and UK routing before booking.
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test: USD 150-350
SENASA CR permit: minimal fee
Official vet health certificate: USD 80-200
Tapeworm treatment (dogs): USD 20-50
IATA crate: GBP 60-250 if needed
Pet cargo San Jose to London: GBP 1,000-2,500
Agent fees: GBP 200-500
Total typical range: GBP 1,500-3,600
Critical points
Costa Rica is unlisted for UK pet travel. The titre test and 90-day wait are mandatory. A four to five month minimum timeline from microchip to departure is realistic.
There are no direct cargo flights from San Jose to London. All routings connect via Madrid (Iberia) or via US gateways. Ensure the connecting carrier accepts live animals and that the full route is coordinated before booking.
Costa Rica bans Pit Bull Terriers and Rottweilers from some municipalities. The UK additionally restricts Pit Bull Terrier type dogs, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. Verify your dog's type before starting.
SENASA CR's online portal handles the export permit application. The process is relatively straightforward, but allow at least two weeks for permit issuance and do not leave it to the last few days.
How United Kingdom handles incoming pets
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.
What experienced owners do
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
No direct cargo routes operate between San Jose (SJO) and London. The two main options are via Madrid on Iberia, or via a US gateway (Miami, New York, or Houston) with an onward connection to London. The Madrid routing involves a single transit within the Iberia network and is generally the simpler option for live animal cargo.
The UK requires the titre test because Costa Rica is unlisted under UK pet travel rules, not because of Costa Rican requirements. The FAVN titre test (blood drawn at an APHA-approved lab, minimum result 0.5 IU/ml) and a 90-day waiting period are the UK’s conditions for accepting pets from unlisted countries. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.
16 to 20 weeks minimum. Microchip first, then vaccination, then 30-day wait before blood draw, then titre test (lab result takes 1-3 weeks), then 90-day wait. Add 4-8 weeks for SENASA permit, cargo booking, and the final health certificate. Starting 5 months before your intended travel date is advisable.
A SENASA-registered official veterinarian in Costa Rica issues and signs the health certificate. It must then be endorsed by SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal) to be valid for UK border inspection. The certificate is issued within 10 days of travel and covers all required elements: microchip, vaccination, titre test, and tapeworm treatment for dogs.
No routine quarantine for dogs and cats from Costa Rica arriving with correct documentation. Penalty quarantine of up to 4 months is imposed if documentation is incomplete, the titre test is invalid, or an unapproved route is used. Source: GOV.UK.
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