Pet Transport Ghana to UK: Titre Test, VSD Permit and Accra to London in 2026
Taking your dog or cat from Ghana to United Kingdom comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Around 16-20 weeks is typical, with a straightforward sequence to work …
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must …
Rabies vaccinationCurrent rabies vaccination required. At …
Rabies titre testRequired. Ghana is unlisted under UK pet …
QuarantineNo routine quarantine for compliant …
Health certificateAHC from VSD-endorsed Ghanaian official …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Ghana 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.
ISO microchip implanted, predating the rabies vaccination.
FAVN titre blood drawn at least 30 days after primary vaccination, at an APHA-approved lab. 90-day wait starts from blood draw date if result passes.
Responsible: Your vet and APHA-approved laboratory
4
6-8 weeks before travel.
Apply for VSD export permit at least 6 weeks before travel.
Responsible: You or your agent
5
6-8 weeks before travel.
Book cargo from Accra (ACC) to London Heathrow via British Airways direct or KLM/Air France via European hub.
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 Ghanaian vet
7
Within 10 days of travel.
VSD-endorsed health certificate from official vet within 10 days of travel.
Responsible: VSD-endorsed 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. Ghana 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 before travel to the UK. 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 VSD-endorsed Ghanaian official vet, within 10 days of travel. Covers microchip, vaccination, titre test, and tapeworm treatment for dogs.
Export permit
Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) export permit required. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel.
Health certificate
Official Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a Ghana-registered official veterinarian and endorsed by the Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD), Ghana. 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.
British Airways
British Airways operates from Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC) to London Heathrow (LHR). BA World Cargo accepts pets as manifested cargo on the ACC-LHR route. This is the most direct Accra to London pet cargo option.
Cargo Only
KLM
KLM operates ACC to Amsterdam (AMS) with cargo connections to London. KLM Cargo is experienced with West African live animal exports. The Amsterdam transit is generally manageable.
Cargo Only
Air France
Air France operates ACC to Paris CDG, with Cargo connections to London. A viable alternative for Accra to UK pet cargo via a European hub.
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test at APHA-approved lab: USD 150-350
VSD permit and endorsement: GHS 200-600 (approximately GBP 10-30)
Official vet health certificate: GBP 80-180
Tapeworm treatment (dogs): GBP 15-40
IATA crate: GBP 60-250 if needed
Pet cargo Accra to London: GBP 900-2,500
Agent fees: GBP 200-500
Total typical range: GBP 1,500-3,700
Critical points
Ghana is unlisted for UK pet travel. The titre test and 90-day wait are mandatory. Plan for four to five months minimum from microchip to flight.
Ghana's VSD permit takes at least 6 weeks to process. Apply early. VSD may also require an inspection of the animal before issuing the export permit.
British Airways from Accra to Heathrow is the most direct route. Verify that cargo acceptance is confirmed for your specific travel date, as cargo space can be limited on the ACC route.
Ghana has a 7-day quarantine for IMPORT of pets into Ghana (for pets arriving in Ghana). This is not relevant for export from Ghana to the UK, but be aware if you are planning a return trip.
Meeting United Kingdom's entry requirements
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.
Advice worth following
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.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
Four to five months is the realistic minimum. Microchip first (if not done), then primary rabies vaccination, 30-day wait before blood draw, FAVN titre test at APHA-approved lab (lab results typically take 1-3 weeks), then the 90-day waiting period after a successful test. The VSD permit process runs in parallel and takes 6 weeks. Add 4-6 weeks for the final certificate and cargo booking.
Yes. The Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) under Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture endorses the official health certificate issued by your vet. Without VSD endorsement, the certificate is not accepted at UK border inspection. Apply for the VSD export permit at least 6 weeks before travel.
British Airways operates a direct Accra Kotoka (ACC) to London Heathrow (LHR) route and accepts pets as manifested cargo via BA World Cargo. KLM via Amsterdam and Air France via Paris are the main alternatives if direct BA space is unavailable. All carry pets as cargo only.
No routine quarantine, provided documentation is complete and the titre test is valid. Penalty quarantine of up to 4 months applies for non-compliance (missing titre test, incomplete AHC, unapproved arrival port). Source: GOV.UK.
Praziquantel treatment administered by a vet, recorded in the travel document, between 24 and 120 hours before your dog’s scheduled UK arrival time. The window is five days, closing 24 hours before arrival. Time it from UK arrival, not Accra departure. Cats do not need the tapeworm treatment.
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