Pet Transport Ecuador to UK: AGROCALIDAD, Titre Test and Full 2026 Requirements
Bringing your dog or cat from Ecuador to United Kingdom takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Expect about 16-20 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, …
Rabies titre testRequired. Ecuador is unlisted under UK …
QuarantineNo routine quarantine for compliant …
Health certificateAHC from AGROCALIDAD-registered official …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Ecuador 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, 4-5 months before travel.
Confirm ISO microchip is implanted and recorded before the rabies vaccination date.
Responsible: Your vet
2
4-5 months before travel.
Verify or administer primary rabies vaccination. Record the date.
Responsible: Your vet
3
4 months before travel.
Draw blood for FAVN titre test at least 30 days after primary vaccination. Use an APHA-approved laboratory. 90-day wait starts from blood draw date once result passes.
Responsible: Your vet and APHA-approved laboratory
4
6-8 weeks before travel.
Apply for AGROCALIDAD export permit at least 4 weeks before travel.
Responsible: You or your agent
5
6-8 weeks before travel.
Book cargo from Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) to London Heathrow via Madrid or similar. Confirm live animal acceptance.
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 Ecuadorian vet
7
Within 10 days of travel.
Obtain AGROCALIDAD-endorsed health certificate within 10 days of travel.
Responsible: AGROCALIDAD-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. Wait at least 30 days from the primary vaccination before the titre blood draw. Source: GOV.UK.
Rabies titre test
Required. Ecuador 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 the date of the successful blood draw. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant pets. Penalty quarantine up to 4 months if paperwork is deficient. Source: GOV.UK.
Health certificate
AHC from AGROCALIDAD-registered official vet, within 10 days of travel, covering microchip, vaccination, titre test, and tapeworm treatment for dogs.
Export permit
AGROCALIDAD export permit required. Apply at least 4 weeks before travel.
Health certificate
Official Veterinary Health Certificate issued by an AGROCALIDAD-registered official veterinarian and endorsed by AGROCALIDAD (Agencia de Regulacion y Control Fito y Zoosanitario). For UK entry this functions as the Animal Health Certificate. 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.
Iberia
Iberia operates from Quito Mariscal Sucre (UIO) and Guayaquil Jose Olmedo (GYE) via Madrid Barajas (MAD) to London Heathrow. Iberia Cargo accepts pets on the South America to Europe corridor. A common routing for Ecuador to UK pet cargo.
Cargo Only
Air France-KLM Cargo
Via Paris CDG or Amsterdam AMS from Quito or Guayaquil, with UK connection. Air France-KLM Cargo accepts pets. Confirm the full routing and live animal acceptance before booking.
Cargo Only
American Airlines
From Quito or Guayaquil via Miami International (MIA) or other US hubs, with connections to the UK. American Eagle Cargo can handle the Ecuador to US leg; confirm arrangements for onward UK connection.
Cargo Only
LATAM Airlines
LATAM Cargo operates within South America and connects to European hubs via Lima or other gateways. Confirm routing from Ecuador departure airports and availability for live animals.
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test at APHA-approved lab: USD 150-350
AGROCALIDAD permit and endorsement fees: USD 50-100
Official vet health certificate: GBP 80-180
Tapeworm treatment (dogs): GBP 15-40
IATA-compliant travel crate: GBP 60-250 if needed
Pet cargo Quito or Guayaquil to London: GBP 900-2,300
Pet transport agent fees: GBP 200-500
Total typical range: GBP 1,500-3,700
Critical points
Ecuador is unlisted for UK entry. The titre test and 90-day wait are non-negotiable. Build your timeline from the blood draw date backwards: 4-5 months is the minimum from microchip to flight.
Ecuador bans American Pit Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, and Dogo Argentinos. The UK additionally restricts Pit Bull Terrier type dogs, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. If your dog is any of these types, explore this before starting.
Two departure airports serve Ecuador: Quito Mariscal Sucre (UIO) in the north and Guayaquil Jose Olmedo (GYE) on the coast. Check which has better cargo connections to London for your routing and crate size.
The AHC is valid for 10 days from the date of examination. The cargo booking needs to be within that window. A vet appointment and a cargo departure date that fall in the same 10-day period are essential to plan together.
What United Kingdom requires
Getting a pet into United Kingdom is a middle of the road process. The rules are well defined, so most of the work is simply staying on schedule.
Avoiding the common mistakes
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
Yes, because Ecuador is an unlisted country under UK pet travel rules. The FAVN titre test is mandatory: blood drawn at least 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination, result of 0.5 IU/ml or above at an APHA-approved lab, followed by a 90-day waiting period. This applies to all dogs and cats. Source: GOV.UK listed and unlisted countries, 2026.
AGROCALIDAD (Agencia de Regulacion y Control Fito y Zoosanitario) endorses the health certificate issued by your official vet in Ecuador. The certificate without AGROCALIDAD endorsement is not accepted by UK border inspection. Apply for the export permit through AGROCALIDAD at least four weeks before travel.
Yes. Both Guayaquil Jose Olmedo (GYE) and Quito Mariscal Sucre (UIO) handle international pet cargo. The routing options and carrier availability differ, so check with a cargo agent which airport has better connections to London for your specific crate size and travel date.
Around 16 to 20 weeks (4 to 5 months) if starting from scratch. The microchip and vaccination take a few weeks, the 30-day wait before blood draw, the titre test lab turnaround (typically 1-3 weeks), then the 90-day wait. The final certificate and cargo booking take 2-4 weeks on top of that.
Yes. The UK bans Pit Bull Terrier type dogs (assessed by type characteristics, not breed name), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Ecuador’s own legislation restricts Pit Bull, Rottweiler, and Dogo Argentino. If your dog is any of these types, seek specialist advice before starting the process.
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