Lead time needed
10-16 weeks
Quarantine
7 days
Route complexity
Medium
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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GB
TW

Pet Transport UK to Taiwan: 2026 Process and Requirements

The journey from United Kingdom to Taiwan for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. Allow around 10-16 weeks and follow the steps in order to stay on track. Plan for 7 days of quarantine on arrival. Work through the steps below in …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from United Kingdom to Taiwan typically takes around 10-16 weeks. Expect 7 days of quarantine on arrival.
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Step by step

The United Kingdom to Taiwan 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
At least 60 days before travel. This is the longest lead-time step.
Apply for BAPHIQ import permit

Responsible: Owner or specialist agent. Application to BAPHIQ in Taiwan.

2
Before any vaccination
Confirm microchip is implanted and readable

Responsible: Vet

3
Vaccination must be current at time of travel
Confirm or administer rabies vaccination

Responsible: Vet

4
As soon as permit is approved. Quarantine spaces are limited.
Book BAPHIQ-approved quarantine facility in Taiwan

Responsible: Owner or agent. Liaise with BAPHIQ-approved facility.

5
Within 14 days of travel date
Obtain official veterinary health certificate from APHA-authorised OV

Responsible: APHA-authorised OV in the UK

6
On departure date. Quarantine begins on arrival.
Travel to Taiwan via EVA Air or China Airlines direct to Taipei

Responsible: Airline cargo

7
7 days for Group 1 (UK) origin pets
Quarantine at BAPHIQ-approved facility in Taiwan

Responsible: BAPHIQ-approved quarantine facility

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Taiwan

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

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip mandatory.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required.
Quarantine
Mandatory quarantine on arrival. UK is a Group 1 country: standard quarantine is …
Import permit
BAPHIQ (Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine) import …
Health certificate
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 14 days of travel. Must be …
Export permit
No UK export permit required for dogs and cats.
Costs

What this route typically costs

BAPHIQ import permit and associated fees: TWD 3,000 to TWD 8,000 …
Health certificate from APHA-authorised OV: £150 to £300
Cargo airline fee Heathrow to Taipei (direct): £700 to £2,500 …
Quarantine facility fees in Taiwan: TWD 8,000 to TWD 25,000 …
Pet transport agent fee: £400 to £1,000
IATA-compliant travel crate: £80 to £400
Total typical range: £1,700 to £5,200 all in

Critical points

The BAPHIQ import permit must be applied for at least 60 days before travel. This is the most time-sensitive step. Many owners start too late and miss their planned travel date.

Quarantine in Taiwan is mandatory for pets from all countries, including the UK. As a Group 1 country origin, the standard period for UK pets is 7 days.

Quarantine facility spaces in Taiwan are limited. Book your quarantine facility as soon as the import permit is approved.

BAPHIQ has a quarantine exemption programme for dogs from approved countries. The UK may qualify under specific circumstances. Check current BAPHIQ guidance: if your dog qualifies for the exemption programme, the quarantine period may be reduced or eliminated, but this requires advance application.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

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

EVA Air Cargo
Direct London Heathrow to Taipei Taoyuan (TPE). Main routing for UK to Taiwan pet cargo. …
Cargo Only
China Airlines Cargo
Direct Heathrow to TPE. Alternative direct routing.
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific Cargo
Via Hong Kong hub. Heathrow to HKG, then HKG to Taipei. Alternative routing if direct …
Cargo Only

How Taiwan handles incoming pets

Taiwan keeps its requirements reasonable, though a few steps have fixed timing. Map those out first and the rest falls into place.

What experienced owners do

Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

Most BAPHIQ-approved quarantine facilities allow owner visits during the quarantine period, subject to facility rules and supervision. Confirm visiting policies with your chosen facility before travel. A local agent in Taiwan can help arrange visits and send updates. The 7-day quarantine period for UK pets is comparatively short.
BAPHIQ operates a programme that allows dogs from certain approved countries to be exempt from or have reduced quarantine, provided specific health documentation requirements are met (typically including titre test results and other certification). The UK may qualify, but eligibility depends on specific documentation and advance application. Check current BAPHIQ guidance directly or through your agent, as the programme’s terms and the list of qualifying countries can change.
Ten to sixteen weeks from starting the permit application to your pet being released from quarantine in Taiwan. The permit application (60 days lead time) is the longest single step. Once the permit is in place, the health certificate and cargo booking can be arranged relatively quickly. Quarantine adds 7 days after arrival.
Yes. The BAPHIQ import permit and quarantine requirements apply to both dogs and cats. Cats from the UK are also Group 1 country origin and face the same 7-day standard quarantine. The process and timeline are the same.
EVA Air does allow small pets in-cabin on some routes. However, on long-haul intercontinental routes such as London to Taipei, in-cabin pet travel is typically not available. Pets usually travel as cargo. Confirm with EVA Air or China Airlines when booking, as policies on specific routes can change.
Airline guides
  • EVA Air Cargo
  • China Airlines Cargo
  • Cathay Pacific Cargo
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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GB TWUnited Kingdom to Taiwan
International pet transport route
Lead time10-16 weeks
Quarantine7 days
ComplexityMedium
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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