Lead time needed
18-24 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
High
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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MO

Pet Transport from the United Kingdom to Macau

Bringing your dog or cat from United Kingdom to Macau takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Around 18-24 weeks is sensible here, with a few steps that must happen in a strict order. There is no routine quarantine, provided the …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from United Kingdom to Macau typically takes around 18-24 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.
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Step by step

The United Kingdom to Macau 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
Before the rabies vaccination, first step in the sequence.
Implant the ISO microchip.

Responsible: Vet in the UK.

2
After the microchip. At least 30 days before the blood draw.
Administer or confirm the rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Vet in the UK.

3
30 days or more after vaccination. Lab turnaround typically 2-3 weeks.
Draw blood for the rabies antibody titre test.

Responsible: Vet plus an approved laboratory.

4
Fixed. This is the step that sets the overall timeline.
Wait out the roughly three-month period from the blood draw date.

Responsible: N/A

5
Once the wait period is nearly up. Valid only 30 days from issue.
Apply for the IAM Import Licence for Live Animals (PS-1092).

Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent, via gov.mo.

6
2-4 weeks before travel.
Book cargo to Hong Kong and arrange the cross-border transfer into Macau.

Responsible: Owner or agent.

7
Certificate close to departure; inspection booked at least 1 working day ahead.
Obtain the APHA-endorsed EHC 5469 and confirm the IAM arrival inspection slot.

Responsible: Official Veterinarian in the UK; IAM in Macau.

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Macau

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

Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 compliant, implanted before the rabies vaccination is …
Rabies vaccination
Required. Given after the microchip, current and clearly dated on the health …
Rabies titre test
Required, since the UK is not on Macau's short list of rabies-free exempt …
Quarantine
No mandatory quarantine for pets that meet the pre-entry requirements and pass …
Import permit
Import Licence for Live Animals (PS-1092), applied for through the Macao SAR …
Health certificate
Official veterinary Health Certificate of Animal (form referenced as PS-1086 on …
Export permit
No general export licence required for a personal pet dog or cat leaving Great …
Costs

What this route typically costs

Rabies titre test and laboratory fee: GBP 150-250.
EHC 5469 and veterinary paperwork in the UK: GBP 100-200.
IAM Import Licence (PS-1092) application fee: modest, typically under …
Cargo fee, London to Hong Kong: GBP 1,300-2,500 depending on crate …
Cross-border transfer, Hong Kong to Macau (bridge coach or ferry, …
IATA-compliant travel crate: GBP 120-350.
Total typical range: GBP 2,000-3,900 over 4-6 months.

Critical points

There is no direct cargo flight from the UK to Macau. Every routing adds a Hong Kong transfer leg, which needs its own booking and paperwork.

The roughly three-month wait runs from the blood draw date, not the vaccination date. Miscounting this is a common source of delay.

The PS-1092 import licence is only valid for 30 days once issued. Apply against a confirmed travel date, not a provisional one.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

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

Cathay Pacific Cargo
No direct cargo service into Macau. Pets fly London Heathrow to Hong Kong (HKG) with …
Cargo Only
British Airways World Cargo
Connects Heathrow to Hong Kong as an alternative to Cathay Pacific for the first leg, with …
Cargo Only
Emirates SkyCargo
A longer routing via Dubai (DXB) into Hong Kong, useful when direct LHR-HKG cargo capacity …
Cargo Only

Meeting Macau's entry requirements

The requirements for Macau are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.

Advice worth following

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.

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes. The UK is not on IAM’s short list of rabies-free exempt origins, so a titre test is required: blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, a minimum result of 0.5 IU/mL, then roughly a three-month wait from the blood draw before entry.
Not for a pet that meets the pre-entry requirements. IAM dropped the mandatory 30-day quarantine for compliant dogs and cats in a policy change that took effect around June 2026.
No. Pets fly to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific Cargo or British Airways World Cargo, then cross into Macau by road over the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge or by ferry, a transfer of around an hour.
The Import Licence for Live Animals, PS-1092, applied for through the Macao SAR Government Portal. IAM usually issues it within 3 working days, but it expires 30 days after issue.
Airline guides
  • Cathay Pacific Cargo
  • British Airways World Cargo
  • Emirates SkyCargo
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet to Macau.

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GB MOUnited Kingdom to Macau
International pet transport route
Lead time18-24 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityHigh
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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