How We Exported Our Dog from Australia to the UK

We began our world-wide travel and adventures with the export of our dog from Australia to the UK. In March 2023, we successfully flew him from Perth, Australia to London Gatwick via Doha with JetPets. This post will guide you through our personal experience and the process of exporting your dog from Australia to the UK. It’s important to stay organized and follow each step carefully to ensure a smooth transition, and also position yourself ready for onward travel or return to Australia in future.

Rabies Vaccination

Sniffy required a rabies vaccination. This was done 4 months prior to planned departure at the Jetpets office in Belmont, WA. The UK requires a 21-day waiting period post-vaccination before travel.

Then, 2 weeks later, the vet visited us at our house to draw blood for the rabies blood test.

We paid AUD $625.39 for the rabies vaccination and the $500 deposit for the pet agent including flights.

Booking the Flights (via Pet Agent)

Finding a pet-friendly airline that operates between Perth and London Gatwick can be challenging. You cannot book the flights yourself (as we have since done for Europe to US and US to Australia travels). We chose Qatar Airlines for Sniffy based on their pet policies, travel route, itinerary and previous customer reviews. Here’s how to go about booking:

• Contact airlines well in advance to understand their specific pet policies.
• Ensure you have the correct IATA-approved dog crate.
• Double-check weight and size limitations for the dog crate as per airline guidelines.

We paid the final JetPets balance of AUD $5,512.85 two weeks before departure.

Veterinary Exam

A pre-export appointment with the local Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) agent at the JetPets office.

During the pre-export appointment, a certifying officer from DAFF checked Sniffy’s documentation to make sure he is ready and eligible for export. Your dog is usually not required to attend this appointment, and your pet travel agency can attend on your behalf. However, if your dog is traveling to a country that needs your dog to be identified by the certifying officer before export, you will have to bring your dog for the inspection.

DAFF charges a fee to prepare your dog’s health certificate and export permit. This is a fee charged based on how long the inspection takes. These were included in the JetPets fees.

As of January 2025, the approximate fees (in AUD) for inspections during office hours are outlined below:

• Export permit charges – $299
• Assessment (NOI) – $48
• Document assessment and preparation – $74
• Inspection – non-vet – $48

Australian Export Permit

The Australian Government Export Permit is issued to all dogs traveling from Australia after the final veterinary health check.

After the certifying officer is satisfied that your dog has been prepared in line with the importing country’s requirements and complies with Australia’s export requirements, Sniffy was issued the export permit and the health certificate. Your pet must leave the country within 72 hours after the export permit is issued. If your pet does not travel as planned due to unforeseen circumstances, please contact the DAFF regional office that issued the export permit.

Preparing for Departure

Preparing Sniffy for travel included several steps leading up to the departure day. Here’s what we did:

1. Purchase an IATA-approved PP70 dog crate, we bought from Facebook Marketplace
2. Crate familiarization training
3. Visit the airport viewing area
4. Maintain his regular vaccination schedule. We had kennel cough booster at Pet Stock in January for AUD 118
5. Maintain his weight and condition
6. Plans for the large bulky dog crate in the UK – sell, donate, dump or keep

Travel Day

Dropping Off at JetPets

On the day of travel, we ensured Sniffy was comfortable and calm. We arrived at the JetPets Belmont office three hours before his Qatar flight to complete all necessary airline procedures. We were flying out later that evening on Singapore Airlines to London Heathrow. Here’s a quick checklist:

• Keep your dog’s travel documents handy.
• Feed your dog the morning before the evening flight to prevent motion sickness and the need to poo in the crate.
• Exercise your dog before heading to the airport to help him settle during the flight.
• Dog crate is ready with all screws or clips, water bowls connected to the front gate.
• The agent will provide a leash, keep your leash and collar to reunite in the UK.

Connecting Flight in Dubai

When traveling from Perth to London via Dubai, Sniffy needed a connecting flight in Qatar. He was in transit kennel for about 8 hours waiting for his connecting flight.

When we arrived at our transit stop in Singapore we received a photo update of Sniffy prior to his flight from JetPets.

Arrival at London Gatwick

Sniffy’s flight arrived at London Gatwick in the afternoon the following day. We were advised via email and SMS when he was ready for collection, about 3 hours after his landing. We collected our rental car and made our way from Heathrow to Gatwick. We picked up a Argos baby car seat, groceries, visited the bank, checked into our AirBnb, emptied the car of luggage and then went to pickup Sniffy in the late afternoon.

We collected Sniffy from Animal Aircare at London Gatwick airport. We entered a small waiting room and Sniffy entered on leash through the door for reunion. We all looked through the 11-page paperwork bundle which included the Australian export permit with each page signed and stamped.

1. Australian Permit to Export Animals
2. Australian Government Health Certificate
3. Great Britain Pet health certificate (this form)
4. Rabies vaccination certificate

We were all happy to see each other. He was in good condition and surprisingly did not smell. The PP70 crate was wheeled outside to the car. Sniffy jumped into the car and onto the front seat as normal.

While moving your dog internationally can be daunting, having a step-by-step approach helps ensure everything runs smoothly. It cost AUD $6,138.24 to relocate our dog from Australia to the UK in March 2023. Our experience with Sniffy was greatly aided by careful research and preparation, allowing him to enjoy his new home in the UK without a hitch.

Sniffy has since been to the UK and; France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, USA and Canada!

And then, you can plan to return your dog home to Australia!

Create Freedom for Your Adventure

Sniffy the Beagle (🇦🇺🐶)

Sniffy the Beagle is a well-traveled globetrotting pup, adventurer, and expert on the joys and challenges of traveling with a dog. With his keen nose for detail and a tail-wagging enthusiasm for the digital nomad lifestyle, Sniffy brings a unique perspective to navigating the world with pets. Whether exploring dog-friendly destinations, offering tips for seamless travel, or unraveling complex import/export regulations, Sniffy’s insights inspire readers to embrace their wanderlust without leaving their furry friends behind. As a seasoned traveler, Sniffy has flown internationally, trekked across continents, camped in national parks, and even barked at elk in the Grand Canyon. His stories and practical advice show that traveling with a dog isn’t just possible—it’s an enhancement to the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and digital nomad lifestyle. Sniffy’s goal is simple: to prove that a dog should never be seen as a barrier to adventure but rather a loyal companion who makes the journey even more rewarding. When he’s not sniffing out new destinations or tackling bureaucratic hurdles, Sniffy loves romping through snow, lounging in travel trailers, and meeting other adventurers (human and canine alike) on the road. From import/export logistics to dog-friendly itineraries, Sniffy’s articles empower readers to see the world, one paw print at a time.