In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United Kingdom to Nepal
typically takes around 12-16 weeks.
Expect 7 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
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Overview
Planning a pet relocation from United Kingdom to Nepal is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. This route takes some organising, and roughly 12-16 weeks of preparation is about right. Plan for 7 days of quarantine on arrival.
A titre test could be required in some cases, so review the destination's conditions. The guide below walks through each stage so nothing gets missed.
Step by step
The United Kingdom to Nepal process
1
Before vaccinations.
ISO microchip implanted
Responsible: Vet
2
At least 21 days before the titre test blood draw.
Rabies vaccination completed
Responsible: Vet
3
At least 30 days after most recent rabies vaccination.
Titre test blood draw
Responsible: APHA-approved laboratory
4
At least 6 weeks before travel. Contact Department of Livestock Services, Kathmandu.
Apply for Nepal DLS import permit
Responsible: Owner or agent
5
After permit confirmed.
Book cargo transport
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
6
Within 10 days of travel.
APHA Export Health Certificate
Responsible: APHA-authorised vet, then APHA endorsement
7
Begins on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport.
7-day quarantine on arrival in Kathmandu
Responsible: Nepal Department of Livestock Services
Checklist
Nepal: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age 12 weeks. 21-day wait after primary vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Required for most countries. Rabies antibody titre test (minimum 0.5 IU/ml). Blood drawn at least 30 days after most recent rabies vaccination. Verify current requirements with Nepal's Department of Livestock Services.
Quarantine
Required. 7 days at a quarantine facility managed by the Department of Livestock Services, Kathmandu.
Import permit
Required. Issued by Nepal's Department of Livestock Services. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel.
Health certificate
Official health certificate issued by APHA-authorised vet and endorsed by APHA.
No formal UK export permit. The APHA-endorsed certificate is the required document.
Health certificate
APHA Export Health Certificate issued by an APHA-authorised vet and endorsed by APHA. Must list microchip, vaccinations, titre test result, and all treatments.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Cargo airline fee: £1,200 to £2,800 from UK to Kathmandu via connections, depending on routing and crate size
2
APHA Export Health Certificate and endorsement: £150 to £350
3
Rabies titre test: £120 to £280
4
Nepal import permit fee: confirm with Department of Livestock Services
5
7-day quarantine costs: confirm current rates with DLS
6
Pet transport agent fee: £500 to £1,800
7
IATA-compliant travel crate: £60 to £350
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ There are no direct flights from the UK to Kathmandu. All routing involves at least one connection. Choose your carrier carefully and confirm live animal acceptance on all legs of the journey.
⚠ A titre test is required for most countries. Allow 6-10 weeks for the full titre test and vaccination process.
⚠ 7-day quarantine is mandatory on arrival. Plan your schedule around this; you cannot collect your pet on arrival day.
⚠ Apply for the import permit at least 6 weeks before travel.
⚠ Kathmandu's high altitude (1,400m) means some brachycephalic breeds may face additional health risks during travel and after arrival. Consult your vet.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Qatar Airways
Via Doha to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport. Handles live animal cargo on suitable routes. Confirm live animal availability for the specific Doha to Kathmandu leg.
Cargo Only
Turkish Airlines
Via Istanbul to Kathmandu. Handles live animal cargo. Confirm availability as policies can vary by route.
Cargo Only
Emirates
Via Dubai to Kathmandu. Handles live animal cargo. Connection at Dubai; confirm total transit time for animal welfare.
Cargo Only
The rules for bringing a pet into Nepal
Nepal asks for several pieces of paperwork, and they all need to line up. A checklist and a clear timeline are your best tools here.
How to keep this move on track
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.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
No. There are no direct UK to Kathmandu flights. All routing involves at least one connection, typically via Doha (Qatar Airways), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), or Dubai (Emirates). Before booking, confirm that the specific aircraft operating both the UK to hub and hub to Kathmandu legs accepts live animals in the cargo hold. Your pet’s total crate time will be 12-18 hours including the connection.
7 days, managed by Nepal’s Department of Livestock Services at a facility in Kathmandu. The quarantine applies to all imported dogs and cats and cannot be shortened. The owner pays the quarantine costs for the full period. Build this into your relocation schedule so you are not expecting to collect your pet on the day of arrival.
Nepal requires a titre test for pets from most countries. The blood draw must happen at least 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination. Verify the current requirement with the Department of Livestock Services before starting the process, as the precise requirement for UK-origin pets can be confirmed at that stage. Laboratory results take 2-3 weeks, so include this in your timeline.
The permit is issued by Nepal’s Department of Livestock Services (DLS) in Kathmandu. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel with your pet’s microchip details, vaccination history, and titre test documentation. The permit confirms that Nepal’s veterinary authorities have reviewed your pet’s records and granted clearance for import. Do not book cargo space before receiving the permit in writing.
Airline guides
Qatar Airways
Turkish Airlines
Emirates
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.