GB
United Kingdom
✈️
LK
Sri Lanka
Pet Transport UK to Sri Lanka: The 90-Day Wait and Everything That Follows
24-32 weeks
Typical preparation
30 days
Quarantine on arrival
Very High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United Kingdom to Sri Lanka
typically takes around 24-32 weeks.
Expect 30 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 Sri Lanka is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Plan for approximately 24-32 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to compress the schedule. Plan for 30 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 Sri Lanka process
1
Before vaccinations.
ISO microchip implanted
Responsible: Vet
2
Primary vaccination and current booster. Blood draw for titre test at least 30 days after vaccination.
Rabies vaccination completed
Responsible: Vet
3
At least 30 days after most recent rabies vaccination.
Titre test blood draw at DAPH-approved laboratory
Responsible: DAPH-approved laboratory
4
Mandatory. Cannot be shortened. Travel must be after 90 days from the titre test date.
90-day wait after titre test
Responsible: Owner to track
5
At least 3 months before travel. Submit with microchip details, vaccination records, titre test result.
Apply for DAPH import permit
Responsible: Owner or agent
6
Issued within 14 days of travel, endorsed by APHA, then attested by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London.
APHA health certificate, attested by Sri Lanka High Commission
Responsible: APHA-authorised vet, APHA, then Sri Lanka High Commission
7
On arrival. DAPH Quarantine Officer is present.
Arrival at Katunayake Airport; sign Quarantine Surveillance Agreement
Responsible: Owner and DAPH
8
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)
Checklist
Sri Lanka: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Current vaccination, valid within 12 months. |
| Rabies titre test | Required for ALL dogs and cats, without exception. Rabies antibody titre test (FAVN, minimum 0.5 IU/ml) at a DAPH-approved laboratory. Blood drawn at least 30 days after primary rabies vaccination. 90-day wait after the titre test before travel. |
| Quarantine | 30 days at the OWNER'S PREMISES (not a government facility). On arrival at Katunayake Airport, the owner signs a Quarantine Surveillance Agreement with the DAPH Quarantine Officer. During the 30 days, the animal is kept at home under quarantine surveillance. |
| Import permit | Required. Apply to DAPH (Department of Animal Production and Health) at least 3 months before travel. This is a firm minimum. The permit is valid for 90 days once issued. |
| Health certificate | Official Veterinary Health Certificate, APHA-endorsed, then attested by the Sri Lanka High Commission in the country of origin. Valid 14 days from issue. |
Leaving United Kingdom
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No formal UK export permit. The APHA-endorsed and attested health certificate is the required document. |
| Health certificate | APHA Export Health Certificate issued by an APHA-authorised vet and endorsed by APHA. Must be attested by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London before travel. |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Cargo airline fee: £1,100 to £2,500 from Heathrow to Colombo depending on crate size |
| 2 | APHA Export Health Certificate and endorsement: £150 to £350 |
| 3 | Titre test at DAPH-approved laboratory: £150 to £350 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka High Commission attestation fee: varies, check current fee schedule |
| 5 | DAPH import permit fee: confirm with DAPH |
| 6 | Pet transport agent fee: £500 to £1,800 |
| 7 | IATA-compliant travel crate: £60 to £350 |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The 90-day wait after the titre test is mandatory and cannot be shortened. Combined with the 30-day post-vaccination window before the blood draw, the absolute minimum preparation time is about 5 months, plus the DAPH permit application at 3 months. Start 6-7 months before travel.
⚠ 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.
Sri Lanka import rules, explained
Sri Lanka takes biosecurity seriously, and the requirements reflect that. The paperwork is exacting, so accuracy matters as much as timing.
Practical tips for this move
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
Sri Lanka’s DAPH requires 90 days after the titre test as a post-vaccination observation period, consistent with the approach used by several rabies-free island nations. The titre test demonstrates that your pet has produced adequate antibodies against rabies, and the 90-day wait provides additional confidence that the protection has been established. This cannot be shortened by any means, including re-vaccination or additional testing.
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.
The health certificate attestation confirms to Sri Lankan authorities that the APHA endorsement on your health certificate is genuine. You take the APHA-endorsed health certificate to the Sri Lanka High Commission in London, where they add their official stamp and signature. This must happen after the health certificate is issued (within 14 days of travel) and before you fly. Check the Sri Lanka High Commission website for current processing times and fees, as these can vary.
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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