Lead time needed
22-30 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
High
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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Home/Routes/Saudi Arabia to United Kingdom
SA
GB

Pet Transport from Saudi Arabia to the UK: 2026 Process

A move from Saudi Arabia to United Kingdom with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Expect around 22-30 weeks of lead time to line up the documents and the fixed waiting periods. You will need a rabies titre test, which …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Saudi Arabia to United Kingdom typically takes around 22-30 weeks. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
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Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The Saudi Arabia to United Kingdom import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
Immediately. This must happen before any vaccination.
Implant ISO-compliant microchip

Responsible: Vet

2
After microchip is in place. At least 30 days before blood draw.
Administer rabies vaccination

Responsible: MEWA-authorised vet

3
At least 30 days after the rabies vaccination
Blood draw for rabies titre test

Responsible: APHA-approved laboratory vet

4
Three full calendar months from the date the blood was drawn and confirmed satisfactory
Three-month wait from satisfactory titre test date

Responsible: Owner to track

5
As soon as travel plans are confirmed. Allow 2-3 weeks.
Apply for MEWA export permit via Anaam platform

Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent

6
Once travel dates are fixed
Book cargo space with airline

Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent

7
Within 10 days of travel date
Obtain AHC from Official Veterinarian in Saudi Arabia

Responsible: OV vet in Saudi Arabia

8
24 to 120 hours before arrival in Great Britain
Administer tapeworm treatment (dogs only)

Responsible: Vet. Record product, dose, date on health certificate.

9
On departure date. Arrive at approved UK entry point (Heathrow most common).
Travel to UK as cargo

Responsible: Airline cargo

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter United Kingdom

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip mandatory. Must be implanted before the rabies …
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. At least 21 days before travel. Booster …
Rabies titre test
Required. Saudi Arabia is an unlisted country for UK pet travel. FAVN test at an …
Health certificate
Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from an Official Veterinarian (OV) in Saudi …
Export permit
MEWA export permit required. Apply via the Anaam electronic platform before …
Costs

What this route typically costs

Titre test at APHA-approved laboratory: SAR 500 to SAR 1,200 …
MEWA export permit: nominal government fee, check current Anaam …
AHC from Official Veterinarian: SAR 400 to SAR 900 (approximately £90 …
Cargo airline fee Riyadh or Jeddah to Heathrow: £800 to £2,500 …
Pet transport agent fee: £400 to £1,200 for documentation and …
IATA-compliant travel crate: £80 to £400
Total typical range: £1,800 to £5,000 all in

Critical points

The three-month wait after a satisfactory titre test is a legal requirement. There is no shortcut. Start this process at minimum five months before your intended travel date.

Saudi Arabia restricts dog imports to working dog classifications. The SAME restriction applies in reverse for export purposes in some interpretations. Verify your dog's classification with MEWA and the receiving UK authority before starting the process.

Microchip MUST be implanted before vaccination. Reversing this order invalidates the titre test process and restarts the entire timeline.

The new AHC template is mandatory for UK entry from October 2026 onwards. Certificates on the old template issued after September 2026 will not be accepted.

Summer cargo temperature embargoes (June to September) affect flights from Riyadh and Jeddah. Some airlines suspend cargo pet services during peak heat. Plan to travel in spring or autumn.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

Saudia (Saudi Airlines)
Main carrier for pets from Saudi Arabia. Operates direct flights to Heathrow. Cargo-only …
Cargo Only
British Airways / IAG Cargo
Direct Riyadh-Heathrow and Jeddah-Heathrow routes. Cargo-only. PetAir UK can coordinate …
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways Cargo
Via Doha hub. Connecting option from Riyadh or Jeddah to Heathrow or Manchester.
Cargo Only

What United Kingdom requires

Bringing a pet into United Kingdom involves a fair amount of documentation. Keep everything organised and check each item against the current requirements before you book.

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

Yes, there is no quarantine on arrival in the UK for pets from Saudi Arabia, provided the titre test result is satisfactory and the three-month wait has been completed before travel. The titre test and waiting period are the UK’s biosecurity measure for unlisted countries. Arrive with all documentation in order and your pet will clear the approved port of entry without a quarantine stay.
Yes. Cats follow the same process as dogs for UK entry: microchip before vaccination, rabies titre test, three-month wait, and Animal Health Certificate. Cats do not require tapeworm treatment. There is no Saudi export restriction on cats equivalent to the working-dog classification for dogs. The main cost and timeline driver is the titre test and waiting period.
Direct cargo services from Riyadh and Jeddah typically arrive at Heathrow. This is also the most common approved entry point for pets under the UK Pet Travel Scheme. Other approved entry points exist, but Heathrow has the most regular cargo connections from Saudi Arabia. Confirm the specific entry point with your carrier before booking, as live animal approvals are route-specific.
The UK’s entry requirements focus on rabies vaccination and titre test. For Saudi Arabia export, MEWA requires broader vaccinations for dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus (DHLPP), plus Bordetella. For cats: FVRCP. Ensure your pet’s vaccination record covers both the Saudi export standard and the UK import standard, as the health certificate must reference all vaccinations administered.
Most people find a specialist agent useful here. The combination of MEWA export permitting via the Anaam platform, titre test coordination with an APHA-approved lab, Animal Health Certificate sourcing from an Official Veterinarian in Saudi Arabia, and UK import coordination is manageable but detailed. A single missed step, a certificate on the wrong template, or a tapeworm treatment administered outside the 24 to 120-hour window can delay entry. Agent fees of £400 to £1,200 are usually worthwhile.
The three-month wait begins from the date the blood sample was drawn for the titre test, provided the result came back as 0.5 IU/ml or above. It is not measured from when you receive the result or from a later re-test date. If your first titre test fails, the clock resets from the new blood draw date after a successful re-test. This is why many owners aim for the blood draw as early as possible in the process.
Airline guides
  • Saudia (Saudi Airlines)
  • British Airways / IAG Cargo
  • Qatar Airways Cargo
Breed guides

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SA GBSaudi Arabia to United Kingdom
International pet transport route
Lead time22-30 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityHigh
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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