Pet Transport UK to Ecuador: AGROCALIDAD Permit and 2026 Requirements

Shipping a dog or cat from United Kingdom to Ecuador rewards owners who start planning early. Around 6-10 weeks is typical, with a straightforward sequence to work through. No routine quarantine …

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6-10

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

None

Quarantine on arrival

Medium

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

6-10 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Medium

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from United Kingdom to Ecuador typically takes around 6-10 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.

Regulations verified June 2026

Written and reviewed by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant

Step by step

The United Kingdom to Ecuador import process

Before the health certificate appointment.

ISO microchip confirmed or implanted.

Responsible: Your UK vet

Before travel.

Current rabies vaccination confirmed.

Responsible: Your UK vet

4-6 weeks before travel.

AGROCALIDAD zoosanitary import permit applied for. Apply online via AGROCALIDAD or through an Ecuador-based agent. Allow 4-6 weeks.

Responsible: You or Ecuador-side agent

Within 10 days of travel.

APHA-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of travel.

Responsible: APHA-authorised UK vet

Requirements

Ecuador entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

ISO-compatible microchip strongly recommended. Source: AGROCALIDAD, 2026.

Rabies vaccination

Current rabies vaccination required. Source: AGROCALIDAD, 2026.

Rabies titre test

Not required for UK pets entering Ecuador. Source: AGROCALIDAD, 2026.

Quarantine

No routine quarantine for dogs and cats arriving from the UK with correct documentation. Source: AGROCALIDAD, 2026.

Import permit

Zoosanitary import permit from AGROCALIDAD (Agencia de Regulación y Control Fito y Zoosanitario) required before travel. Apply at least 4-6 weeks in advance. Source: AGROCALIDAD, 2026.

Health certificate

Official veterinary health certificate from a UK vet, endorsed by APHA. The certificate must confirm the animal is healthy, vaccinated, and microchipped. Source: AGROCALIDAD, 2026.

Leaving United Kingdom

Export requirements

Export permit

No routine UK export permit required. The APHA-endorsed health certificate is the key UK document.

Health certificate

Official Veterinary Health Certificate issued by an APHA-authorised veterinarian and endorsed by APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency). The certificate must meet Ecuador's AGROCALIDAD requirements. Issued within 10 days of travel. Source: GOV.UK.

Costs

What this route typically costs

APHA vet appointment and health certificate: GBP 100-300

AGROCALIDAD import permit: USD 50-150

APHA endorsement fee (if required): GBP 30-50

Travel crate: GBP 60-250 if needed

Pet cargo UK to Ecuador via European hub: GBP 800-2,500

Agent fees: GBP 200-500

Total typical range: GBP 1,290-3,750

Critical points

The AGROCALIDAD import permit must be obtained before travel. Arrive without it and the animal may be held at the airport.

Ecuador restricts several breeds. Confirm your dog is not on the restricted list before starting the process.

Routing via a US airport introduces USDA entry requirements for the US transit. Routing via Amsterdam (KLM) or Madrid (Iberia) avoids this.

Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) operates at 2,400 metres altitude. This affects cargo handling conditions and can be a consideration for brachycephalic breeds.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
British Airways	British Airways connects from London Heathrow (LHR) to Quito Mariscal Sucre (UIO) and Guayaquil Jose Olmedo (GYE) via Miami or other US gateways. Pets accepted via BA World Cargo. US transit rules apply.	Cargo Only
KLM	Via Amsterdam (AMS) to Quito or Guayaquil. KLM Cargo accepts pets. The Amsterdam hub avoids US transit and its associated USDA requirements.	Cargo Only
Iberia	Via Madrid (MAD) to Quito or Guayaquil. Iberia Cargo accepts pets. A strong Latin American network and avoids US transit.	Cargo Only
LATAM / Avianca	LATAM and Avianca connect to Quito and Guayaquil from European hubs. Confirm pet cargo acceptance on UK originating routings.	Cargo Only

Meeting Ecuador's entry requirements

Getting a pet into Ecuador 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

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.

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

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 about this route

No. Ecuador does not require a rabies titre test for dogs or cats arriving from the UK. The requirements are a current rabies vaccination, a valid APHA-endorsed health certificate, and an AGROCALIDAD import permit. Source: AGROCALIDAD, 2026.

AGROCALIDAD is Ecuador’s Agency of Phyto and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control. The zoosanitary import permit is issued by AGROCALIDAD before travel and allows your dog or cat to enter Ecuador. Apply online via the AGROCALIDAD portal at least 4-6 weeks before travel.

Yes. If your routing stops at a US airport (such as Miami), USDA live animal entry rules apply even in transit. Routing via Amsterdam (KLM) or Madrid (Iberia) avoids this. Confirm with your carrier whether any US connection requires clearing US customs.

Airline guides

British Airways
KLM
Iberia
LATAM / Avianca

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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