How much Cats and dogs can I bring into United Kingdom?
Restricted
You can bring Cats and dogs into United Kingdom only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- 5 piece
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
If you do not declare
- Step 1: Quarantine, Return to origin
Official sources
- Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain: What you need to do Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) / DEFRA (GOV.UK)
Questions about Cats and dogs in United Kingdom
- How many cats and dogs can I bring into United Kingdom?
- United Kingdom allows 5 cats and dogs per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare cats and dogs at United Kingdom customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 5 cats and dogs there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
- What happens if I do not declare cats and dogs in United Kingdom?
- If the goods are found without being declared, the goods go into quarantine at the traveller's cost; the goods are returned to where they came from.
- Do duty-free purchases count toward the United Kingdom allowance for cats and dogs?
- Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
- Can I post or ship cats and dogs to United Kingdom instead of carrying it?
- Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
- Can I take cats and dogs out of United Kingdom?
- United Kingdom publishes no separate rule for taking cats and dogs out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the United Kingdom limit for cats and dogs apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Where does this rule come from?
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force states it in Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain: What you need to do. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16. The sentence it rests on reads: “you're bringing more than 5 pets and are not attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event [triggers extra (Balai) rules]”
- How does United Kingdom compare with other countries on cats and dogs?
- Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cats and dogs, 21 limit it and 0 let it through. United Kingdom is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain: What you need to do · verified 2026-09-16
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain: What you need to do · verified 2026-09-16
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain: What you need to do · verified 2026-09-16
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — The Travellers' Allowances Order 1994 · verified 2026-09-20
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — The Travellers' Allowances Order 1994 · verified 2026-09-20
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain: What you need to do · verified 2026-09-16
Source: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) / Border Force — Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain: What you need to do · verified 2026-09-16