Pet Transport UK to Chile: SAG Rules, the Apostille Requirement and Arrival Inspection
4-6 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
Medium
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Regulations verified
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities.
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Overview
Chile does not require an import permit or quarantine for personal pets from the UK. There is no titre test requirement under current SAG (Servicio Agricola y Ganadero) rules. The main practical requirements are a current rabies vaccination, parasite treatment within 30 days of arrival, and a health certificate that is both APHA-endorsed and apostilled by the FCDO. The apostille step is something many pet owners miss, so allow extra time in your preparations.
Step by step
The United Kingdom to Chile process
1
Before vaccinations if microchipping.
Confirm microchip (strongly recommended)
Responsible: Vet
2
At least 21 days before travel.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
3
Within 30 days before arrival in Chile. Active ingredient(s), dosage, and date must appear on the health certificate.
Parasite treatment
Responsible: Vet
4
As soon as travel date is confirmed. LATAM and Iberia are useful options.
Book cargo or cabin transport
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
5
Issued within 10 days of travel, endorsed by APHA, then apostilled by FCDO.
APHA Export Health Certificate (within 10 days)
Responsible: APHA-authorised vet, then APHA, then FCDO apostille
6
On arrival. Veterinary inspection before customs.
SAG inspection on arrival at Santiago
Responsible: SAG Veterinary Services
Checklist
Chile: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Recommended but not mandatory under current SAG rules. Strongly recommended for identification purposes and for any onward travel.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Administered at least 21 days before travel for primary vaccinations.
Rabies titre test
Not required for UK pets under current SAG classifications. Check the current SAG country list if there are any updates before travel.
Quarantine
None for compliant pets. SAG veterinary inspection on arrival at Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport.
Import permit
Not required for personal pet dogs and cats travelling with their owners.
Health certificate
Official Veterinary Health Certificate endorsed by APHA and apostilled by UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Must list vaccinations, parasite treatments, and clinical examination details. Valid 10 days from issue.
Leaving United Kingdom
Export requirements
Requirement
Detail
Export permit
No formal UK export permit. The APHA-endorsed and apostilled health certificate is the required document.
Health certificate
APHA Export Health Certificate issued by an APHA-authorised vet and endorsed by APHA. Must be apostilled for acceptance by SAG Chile.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Cargo airline fee: £1,000 to £2,500 from Heathrow to Santiago depending on routing and crate size
2
Cabin pet fee (if travelling in cabin): typically £50 to £200
3
APHA Export Health Certificate and endorsement: £150 to £350
4
FCDO apostille fee: approximately £30 per document
5
Parasite treatment: £20 to £80
6
Pet transport agent fee (optional): £400 to £1,500
7
IATA-compliant travel crate: £60 to £350
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The health certificate must be apostilled by the FCDO. Allow time for this step after APHA endorsement. The apostille is mandatory for SAG Chile acceptance.
⚠ Parasite treatment must be completed within 30 days before arrival and documented on the health certificate with the active ingredient, dosage, and date.
⚠ The health certificate is valid for 10 days from issue. Factor in APHA endorsement time and FCDO apostille processing when timing the vet appointment.
⚠ Microchipping is not currently mandatory under SAG rules but is strongly recommended and may be required in future.
⚠ Chile is a long-haul flight with connections from the UK. Confirm your pet's crate meets IATA requirements for the specific aircraft and confirm live animal acceptance with the cargo team.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
British Airways
Heathrow to Santiago via connection (typically via Miami or Sao Paulo). Pet cargo via IAG Cargo. Advance booking and documentation required. Confirm routing for live animal cargo acceptance.
Cargo Only
LATAM Airlines
Chile's main carrier. Accepts small pets in the cabin (up to 8 kg including carrier) and larger pets as cargo. Good option for direct South America connections.
Cargo and Cabin
Iberia
Via Madrid. Accepts pets in cabin and cargo. Can be a practical routing from Heathrow for pets travelling to Santiago.
Cargo and Cabin
Understanding the apostille requirement
Chile’s SAG requires the UK health certificate to be not just endorsed by APHA but also apostilled by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The apostille authenticates the APHA endorsement for use in a foreign country. Without it, SAG officers at Santiago Airport can refuse to accept the document.
The process runs: vet issues health certificate, APHA endorses it, then you send the endorsed certificate to the FCDO for an apostille. FCDO processing times can vary, so start early. Many pet transport agents manage this entire chain as part of their service, which simplifies timing considerably.
Parasite treatment and SAG inspection at Santiago
On top of the rabies vaccination, SAG requires that your pet has received an internal and external parasite treatment within 30 days before arriving in Chile. The active ingredient, dosage, and date of treatment must appear on the health certificate. Ask your vet to record these details explicitly, as a general note saying “treated for parasites” is not sufficient.
On arrival at Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago, SAG veterinary officers inspect all arriving pets before you clear customs. The inspection is typically brief for pets with compliant documentation. No quarantine follows for correctly prepared pets from the UK.
FAQ
Common questions
No. Chile does not require an advance import permit for personal pet dogs and cats travelling with their owners. You need an APHA-endorsed and apostilled health certificate, proof of current vaccinations, and evidence of parasite treatment within 30 days of arrival. A SAG inspection takes place on arrival at Santiago Airport but no permit needs to be arranged in advance.
An apostille is an official authentication that makes a document legally recognised in countries that are signatories to the 1961 Hague Convention. Chile is a signatory, and SAG requires UK health certificates to be apostilled by the FCDO after the APHA endorsement step. Without the apostille, the document may not be accepted. The FCDO charges approximately £30 per document and processing takes several working days.
Under current SAG regulations, a microchip is recommended but not strictly mandatory for pet import. However, microchipping is strongly recommended for identification, loss prevention, and in case regulations change. Any subsequent travel in or out of Chile will likely require an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. Most UK pet owners moving abroad have their pets chipped as standard.
SAG requires that dogs and cats have received internal and external antiparasitic treatment within 30 days before arriving in Chile. The health certificate must list the active ingredient, dosage used, and date of treatment. Ask your vet to record this explicitly on the certificate. Products containing praziquantel or similar active ingredients for tapeworm, and appropriate flea or tick treatments, are typically used. Confirm with your vet that the treatment selected meets SAG’s criteria.