Pet Transport Pakistan to UK: AQD Permit, Titre Test and 2026 Requirements
A move from Pakistan to United Kingdom with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Expect about 16-20 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, …
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must …
Rabies vaccinationCurrent rabies vaccination required. At …
Rabies titre testRequired. Pakistan is unlisted under UK …
QuarantineNo routine quarantine for compliant …
Health certificateAHC from AQD-endorsed Pakistani official …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Pakistan 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.
Responsible: Your vet
2
4-5 months before travel.
Primary rabies vaccination confirmed. Note date.
Responsible: Your vet
3
4 months before travel.
FAVN titre blood drawn at APHA-approved lab, at least 30 days after primary vaccination. 90-day wait from blood draw date if result passes.
Responsible: Your vet and APHA-approved laboratory
4
6-8 weeks before travel.
Apply for AQD export permit at least 6 weeks before travel. AQD may require animal inspection.
Responsible: You or your agent
5
6-8 weeks before travel.
Book cargo from LHE, KHI, or ISB to London Heathrow on PIA, British Airways, or via Gulf hub. 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 Pakistani vet
7
Within 10 days of travel.
AQD-endorsed health certificate from official vet within 10 days of travel.
Responsible: AQD-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.
Rabies titre test
Required. Pakistan 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 for non-compliance. Source: GOV.UK.
Health certificate
AHC from AQD-endorsed Pakistani official vet, within 10 days of travel. Covers microchip, vaccination, titre test, and tapeworm treatment for dogs.
Export permit
Animal Quarantine Department (AQD) export permit required. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel. AQD may require animal inspection at an approved quarantine facility.
Health certificate
Official Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a Pakistan-registered official veterinarian and endorsed by the Animal Quarantine Department (AQD), Ministry of National Food Security and Research. 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.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
PIA operates from Lahore Allama Iqbal (LHE), Karachi Jinnah International (KHI), and Islamabad International (ISB) to London Heathrow. PIA Cargo accepts pets as manifested cargo. A direct routing from Pakistan's main cities to London.
Cargo Only
British Airways
British Airways operates from Lahore (LHE) and Islamabad (ISB) to London Heathrow. BA World Cargo accepts pets. A direct option that avoids Middle East transits.
Cargo Only
Emirates
Via Dubai (DXB) from Karachi, Lahore, or Islamabad. Emirates SkyCargo accepts pets. Summer heat embargoes at DXB apply. Confirm embargo policy before booking for June-September travel.
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways Cargo
Via Doha (DOH) from Pakistani cities to London. A reliable Gulf hub routing alternative.
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test at APHA-approved lab: USD 150-350
AQD permit and endorsement: PKR 5,000-15,000 (approximately USD 18-55)
Official vet health certificate: GBP 60-150
Tapeworm treatment (dogs): GBP 15-40
IATA crate: GBP 60-250 if needed
Pet cargo Pakistan to London (direct or via hub): GBP 700-2,200
Agent fees: GBP 200-500
Total typical range: GBP 1,300-3,540
Critical points
Pakistan is unlisted for UK pet travel. The titre test and 90-day wait are mandatory. Plan four to five months from microchip to flight.
Pakistan's AQD may require the animal to be inspected at an approved quarantine facility before the export permit is issued. Factor this into your timeline and location planning.
Pakistan bans Pit Bull Terriers and Rottweilers from some areas. The UK bans Pit Bull Terrier type dogs, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. Verify your dog's type before starting.
Three main departure airports: Lahore (LHE), Karachi (KHI), and Islamabad (ISB). PIA and British Airways serve all three to London. Check cargo schedules from your nearest airport.
What United Kingdom requires
The path into United Kingdom is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Avoiding the common mistakes
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
The UK requires the titre test because Pakistan is an unlisted country under UK pet travel rules. The FAVN titre test at an APHA-approved lab, blood drawn at least 30 days after primary vaccination, result 0.5 IU/ml or above, followed by a 90-day wait. Pakistan’s AQD also requires its own export permit and certificate endorsement. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.
Yes. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and British Airways both operate direct services from Lahore Allama Iqbal International (LHE) to London Heathrow, and both accept pets as manifested cargo. This is the most convenient direct routing if you are based in Lahore or Punjab. Islamabad International (ISB) offers similar direct options.
Allow at least six weeks for the AQD export permit. In cases where AQD requires an animal inspection at an approved facility, this can add further time. Apply for the permit as soon as you have confirmed your titre test is in progress. Do not leave the AQD application until the last few weeks before travel.
Praziquantel treatment by a vet, recorded in the health certificate, between 24 and 120 hours before the dog’s scheduled UK arrival time. That is a five-day window closing 24 hours before arrival. Time it from UK arrival, not from the Pakistani departure. Cats are exempt from the tapeworm requirement.
No routine quarantine for compliant pets. Penalty quarantine up to 4 months applies if the titre test is invalid, the AHC is deficient, or an unapproved route is used. Source: GOV.UK.
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