Pet Transport Israel to United Kingdom: 2026 Guide

The journey from Israel to United Kingdom for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. Allow about 18-24 weeks; the requirements are detailed but …

18-24 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

High

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Lead time needed

18-24 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

High

Airlines

2 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Israel to United Kingdom typically takes around 18-24 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The import process, in full

As early as possible; minimum 5-6 months before desired travel

Confirm ISO microchip is implanted (before or at first vaccination).

Responsible: Israeli veterinary clinic

After microchipping

Ensure rabies vaccination is current and recorded.

Responsible: Licensed vet in Israel

30+ days after vaccination

Blood drawn for FAVN titre test at APHA-approved laboratory (30+ days after vaccination).

Responsible: Vet and APHA-approved laboratory

2-3 weeks after blood draw

Titre test result received: minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Record result date. 90-day wait begins.

Responsible: Owner to record result date

During 90-day wait

Book cargo space on El Al or BA to Heathrow. Pre-notify Heathrow Animal Reception Centre.

Responsible: Owner or relocation agent

Within certificate validity before travel

Obtain MOARD health certificate from official vet in Israel.

Responsible: MOARD-authorised vet

After 90-day wait has elapsed

Travel to London Heathrow. APHA Animal Reception Centre inspection on arrival.

Responsible: Airline cargo and owner

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 at the same time as the first rabies vaccination.

Rabies vaccination

Valid rabies vaccination required. Blood draw for titre test at least 30 days after most recent vaccination.

Quarantine

No quarantine if all conditions are met. Non-compliant arrivals face refusal or detention at Heathrow.

Import permit

No import permit required. Pre-notification to the approved port facility (Heathrow ARC) required before travel.

Health certificate

Official Israeli MOARD veterinary health certificate. Presented at Heathrow Animal Reception Centre on arrival.

Export permit

No separate export permit required. MOARD health certificate covers the export step.

Health certificate

Official veterinary health certificate issued by the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MOARD). Must accompany the pet to the UK.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Israel to United Kingdom move gets missed.

Pet Transport Global

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.

El Al

El Al operates direct flights from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion (TLV) to London Heathrow (LHR). Live animals are accepted as cargo via IAG Cargo / El Al cargo division. Book at least 4-6 weeks in advance and confirm live animal acceptance for the specific flight.

Cargo Only

British Airways

British Airways operates direct TLV-LHR flights. Live animals travel as cargo via IAG Cargo. No cabin pets on this route. Confirm live animal acceptance and IATA kennel requirements well in advance.

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

FAVN titre test in Israel: approximately USD 120-250

El Al or BA cargo TLV to LHR: USD 700-1,800 depending on crate size and season

APHA Animal Reception Centre fee at Heathrow: approximately GBP 285 per consignment

MOARD health certificate: minimal vet consultation fee

IATA-compliant travel kennel: USD 80-250

Critical points

Israel is not on the UK's listed countries list. The 90-day wait after a passing titre test is mandatory. No exceptions apply.

The 90-day wait runs from the result date on the titre test certificate, not the blood draw date.

Pets from Israel must arrive at London Heathrow. No other UK airport is approved for air arrivals from non-listed countries.

Pre-notification to the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre must be completed before travel. Do not arrive without pre-notification in place.

How United Kingdom handles incoming pets

United Kingdom asks for several pieces of paperwork, and they all need to line up. A checklist and a clear timeline are your best tools here.

What experienced owners do

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.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

The Kimron Veterinary Institute in Israel is itself an APHA-approved laboratory and is a practical option for owners in Israel. Blood samples drawn in Israel can also be couriered to approved European labs. Your vet in Israel can advise on the most reliable routing. Confirm the lab’s APHA-approved status before the blood draw.

Transit does not change the UK import requirements. Your pet still enters the UK as an Israel-origin animal and must go through the non-listed country pathway at Heathrow. The 90-day wait and FAVN test requirements remain regardless of transit points.

For UK import, the health certificate should be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation. Certificates issued by Israeli Ministry of Agriculture vets for UK-bound pets are typically available in English or bilingually. Confirm with your vet when ordering the certificate.

It may. The result must be from an APHA-approved laboratory, the level must be 0.5 IU/ml or above, and the rabies vaccination must have been continuously valid since the test date. If all those conditions are met, the 90-day wait runs from that original result date, which may already have passed. Have your vet verify the original documentation before relying on it.

El Al cargo does not publish a fixed weight ceiling for live animal shipments, but very large kennels (those typically used for large dog breeds such as Great Danes or St Bernards) may require specific aircraft configurations. Contact El Al cargo directly with the kennel dimensions and combined weight when making the booking.

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