GB
United Kingdom
✈️
LK
Sri Lanka
Pet Transport UK to Sri Lanka: The Permit, the Tests and 30 Days of Home Quarantine
24-32 weeks
Typical preparation
See key facts
Quarantine on arrival
Very High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
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Official rules on this page checked
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged. How we source our data →
Step by step
The United Kingdom to Sri Lanka process
1
On arrival. DAPH Quarantine Officer is present.
Arrival at Katunayake Airport; sign Quarantine Surveillance Agreement
Responsible: Owner and DAPH
2
At owner's premises in Sri Lanka. Cannot leave the premises during this period.
30-day home quarantine under surveillance
Responsible: Owner (surveillance by DAPH)
Which Sri Lanka rules depend on a pet coming from the United Kingdom?
These rules apply to pets from the United Kingdom, on top of the rules every pet follows:
- Other conditions: Per UK APHA notes for guidance 6310NFG (revised December 2023), for dogs exported from the UK only: the dog must have lived in the UK for the whole of the 6 months before export. DAPH's own 2026 requirements state no residence period for any origin. Applies to dogs from the UK.
6310NFG Export of dogs from United Kingdom to Sri Lanka, notes for guidance, checked 1 October 2026
The rules that apply to every pet entering Sri Lanka, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Sri Lanka guide.
What does the United Kingdom require before your pet leaves?
We are still checking the export rules of the United Kingdom against official government pages, so they are not shown here yet.
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Cargo airline fee: £1,100 to £2,500 from Heathrow to Colombo depending on crate size |
| 2 | Sri Lanka High Commission attestation fee: varies, check current fee schedule |
| 3 | DAPH import permit fee: confirm with DAPH |
| 4 | Pet transport agent fee: £500 to £1,800 |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The health certificate must be attested by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London. Without this, it will not be accepted on arrival. Allow several days for the attestation process.
⚠ 30-day home quarantine applies after arrival. Your pet stays at your Sri Lankan address under DAPH surveillance. You will sign the Quarantine Surveillance Agreement at the airport.
⚠ American Pit Bull Terriers are banned from import into Sri Lanka.
⚠ DAPH import permit is valid for 90 days once issued. Time your permit application so the travel date falls within that validity window.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
SriLankan Airlines
Sri Lanka's national carrier. Flies Heathrow to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. Pet cargo accepted via SriLankan Airlines Cargo. Primary option for this route.
Qatar Airways
Via Doha to Colombo. Handles live animal cargo. Connection adds transit time; confirm total crate time.
British Airways
Heathrow to Colombo via connection. Pet cargo via IAG Cargo. Confirm current routing and live animal acceptance.
FAQ
Common questions
30-day home quarantine means your pet stays at your home address in Sri Lanka under surveillance by DAPH officers, rather than at a government facility. On arrival at the airport, you sign a Quarantine Surveillance Agreement with the DAPH Quarantine Officer. For the following 30 days, your pet must remain on the premises. DAPH may conduct unannounced checks. At the end of 30 days, DAPH releases the quarantine and your pet is free to move normally.
American Pit Bull Terriers are banned from import into Sri Lanka under DAPH regulations. Other breeds are not subject to a specific national ban. If your dog has Pit Bull characteristics or resembles the banned type, contact DAPH before applying for the import permit. Do not attempt to import a banned breed, as this results in the animal being refused entry.
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Sources
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
- IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations