Pets

Pet Eligibility & Preparation

Planning your pet’s transfer is a highly detailed process that requires significant effort and a minimum lead time of 3 months.

The very first step is to verify whether your specific pet or breed is legally allowed in the UK. Once confirmed, we highly recommend contacting your nearest Army Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) before leaving the U.S., as they can provide many of the required vaccines and health certificates at a reduced cost.

While you can find information on move.mil or through the USDA, always defer to the official UK Government guidance if you find any contradictory information.

Pet Shipping & Air Travel (Click to Expand)

The UK has very strict transport rules and does not allow pets to travel in the aircraft cabin. They must arrive as manifest cargo.

Because most commercial airlines no longer offer pet cargo services on standard passenger flights, you will likely have to arrange pre-travel pet shipping through a third-party company. Have your sponsor connect you with someone who has recently gone through this process to get current recommendations.

Customs Clearance & PCS Reimbursement (Click to Expand)

You can only collect your pet after it has officially cleared UK Customs. You are typically required to pay a customs agent, travel company, or airline to do this for you.

Recent arrivals report this clearance service can cost anywhere from £400 to £1,500 GBP, depending on the provider. If you are struggling to find a customs agent, the UK government recommends emailing the National Clearance Hub at nch@hmrc.gov.uk for assistance.