Pet Transport from the United Kingdom to Georgia
4-8
weeks
typical
typical
Low
route
complexity
complexity
Yes
quarantine
required
required
TL;DR
UK to Georgia is one of the simpler Caucasus routes. No titre test is required for UK-origin pets entering Georgia, and British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to Tbilisi (TBS), providing a clean single-leg cargo option.
You need an Animal Health Certificate from a UK Official Vet and documentation that meets Georgia’s National Food Agency (NFA) requirements. Total preparation time: 4-8 weeks.
Georgia’s growing profile as a digital nomad and expat destination has made UK-Tbilisi pet moves increasingly common. The NFA import process is manageable.
All Requirements — United Kingdom to Georgia
| Requirement | United Kingdom rule (exit) | Georgia rule (entry) |
|---|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 required | Required (ISO 11784/11785). |
| Rabies vaccination | Current vaccination required before departure | Required. Current vaccination within manufacturer validity. |
| Rabies titre test | — | Not required. Georgia does not require a titre test for pets from the United Kingdom. |
| Health certificate | Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an APHA-authorised UK Official Vet. Valid 10 days from examination date. | Official UK Animal Health Certificate from APHA-authorised OV. English-language UK documentation accepted. |
| Quarantine | — | No routine quarantine. Veterinary inspection on arrival at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS). Georgian National Food Agency (NFA) inspector checks documentation. |
| Import permit | — | Georgia has a relatively straightforward import process for pets. Official health certificate and current vaccination records are the primary requirements. Confirm current NFA requirements before travel. |
| Export permit | No general export permit required from the UK. | — |
Preparation Timeline
1
Confirm microchip and rabies vaccination are current
2
Confirm current NFA Georgia import requirements
3
Book BA direct cargo space or Turkish Airlines via Istanbul
4
Obtain UK Animal Health Certificate
5
Tbilisi arrival inspection
Cost Estimate — Line Items
ItemNotes
1
UK Animal Health Certificate from Official Vet: approximately GBP 100-200
2
Airline cargo fees London to Tbilisi: approximately GBP 350-750
3
IATA-compliant travel crate
4
IPATA agent fee if used
Airlines — Policy Data
| Airline | Transport type | Policy summary |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | _ | British Airways operates direct London Heathrow to Tbilisi (TBS) service. BA World Cargo handles pet shipments. No cabin pets on BA. Direct routing is the best option for pet welfare. |
| Turkish Airlines | _ | Via Istanbul (IST). London to Istanbul then Istanbul to Tbilisi. Turkish Cargo handles pets. Frequent connections and good cargo operations. |
| Qatar Airways | _ | Via Doha (DOH). London to Doha then Doha to Tbilisi. Qatar Cargo for larger pets. |
| Wizz Air | _ | Wizz Air operates UK to Tbilisi routes. Cabin only for very small pets (maximum weight varies). Confirm current Wizz Air cabin pet policy before booking. |
| Lufthansa | _ | Via Frankfurt (FRA). Lufthansa Cargo handles pets. Reliable alternative. |
Regulatory Risk Notes
- British Airways direct LHR-TBS is the cleanest routing for pet cargo. Confirm cargo acceptance before booking.
- Wizz Air cabin pet policy has strict weight limits. Verify before booking if using for a small pet.
- Bring original documents to Tbilisi - copies are not accepted at NFA inspection.
Georgia NFA import compliance: requirements table
| Requirement | Detail | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 | NFA Georgia |
| Rabies vaccination | Current, within validity | NFA Georgia |
| Titre test | Not required from UK | NFA Georgia |
| Health certificate | UK AHC from APHA-authorised OV | UK APHA |
| Import documentation | Confirm current NFA requirements | NFA Georgia |
| Entry point | Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) | NFA |
| Arrival inspection | NFA vet check on arrival | NFA Georgia |
Georgia has a streamlined pet import process by regional standards. No routine quarantine for compliant pets from the UK.
London to Tbilisi: direct versus via hub
| Route | Carrier | Type | Journey (approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHR - TBS | British Airways | Direct cargo | 5h | BA World Cargo. Best option. No cabin pets on BA. |
| LHR - IST - TBS | Turkish Airlines | Cargo + cabin | 7-8h | Turkish Cargo. Good frequency via Istanbul. |
| LHR - TBS | Wizz Air | Cabin only | Direct | Very small pets only. Strict weight limit. |
| LHR - DOH - TBS | Qatar Airways | Cargo | 9-10h | Qatar Cargo. Longer routing. |
| LHR - FRA - TBS | Lufthansa | Cargo | 8-9h | Lufthansa Cargo. Reliable. |
BA direct is the standout option: shortest journey, one aircraft, minimal handling. Book cargo space 4-6 weeks out.
Country Reference Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does my pet need a titre test to travel from the UK to Georgia?
- No. Georgia does not require a titre test for pets from the United Kingdom. You need a current rabies vaccination, ISO microchip, and UK Animal Health Certificate from an APHA-authorised Official Vet.
- Is there a direct flight from London to Tbilisi for pet cargo?
- Yes. British Airways operates direct London Heathrow to Tbilisi (TBS) and BA World Cargo handles pets on this route. No cabin pets on BA. For very small pets, Wizz Air also flies direct UK to Tbilisi with a cabin pet option - confirm Wizz Air’s current weight limits before booking.
- How long does it take to prepare a pet for transport from the UK to Georgia?
- Allow 4-8 weeks. The main steps are confirming your pet’s microchip and vaccination records, booking cargo space on BA or Turkish, obtaining the UK Animal Health Certificate within 10 days of travel, and confirming NFA documentation requirements. Georgia’s process is relatively straightforward by international standards.
- What is the Georgia NFA and what does it require?
- The Georgian National Food Agency (NFA) is the authority for animal health and veterinary matters in Georgia. It oversees pet imports and conducts inspections at Tbilisi airport. Core requirements include a current microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and official UK health certificate. Confirm current NFA requirements before travel.
- What happens when my pet arrives at Tbilisi airport?
- An NFA veterinarian inspects your pet on arrival at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS). They verify the UK AHC, microchip number, and vaccination records. For compliant pets, there is no extended quarantine. Bring original documents.
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