The Scottish Government

Notes for guidance: Bringing a Domestic dog or cat into the United Kingdom

1. Arrangements to make before you travel
2. Completing your application form
3. Transporting your animal
4. Payment
5. Arranging contracts with the kennel owners
6. Complaints
7. Visits by the Veterinary Superintendent
8. Complying with the law
9. Checklist
10. further information

(a) reserve accommodation for your animal at one of the approved quarantine premises as shown on the attached list It is advisable that quarantine premises are chosen following a visit by you or your representative or by personal references wherever possible. It is also advisable to book well in advance of the date of importation, particularly in the holiday months. If an urgent reply is required a pre-paid cable, or airmail charge is usually required by the quarantine premises proprietor;

(b) reserve the services of one of the authorised carrying agents (Some quarantine premises are also authorised carrying agents). The carrying agent will meet your animal at the port/airport of disembarkation, and will be responsible for its safe custody to the quarantine premises concerned;

(c) check the port/airport of entry into the United Kingdom. Animals may only be landed at the following ports/airports:

PORTS
· Dover Eastern Docks · Harwich, Parkeston Quay · Hull · Portsmouth · Southampton

AIRPORTS
· Birmingham · Leeds · Edinburgh · Manchester · Gatwick · Prestwick · Glasgow · Belfast · Heathrow

It is an offence to land an animal at any other port/airport unless in an emergency situation e.g. diversion because of bad weather, and then your animal should only be removed from the vessel or aircraft with the prior permission of the local authority animal health inspector.

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When you have received confirmation from both the quarantine premises and the carrying agent you should

complete the application form (ID 1) and send it to the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department(SEERAD) or Deparmtent for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The point at which your animal(s) is/are to be landed and cleared by HM Customs determines which Department will process your application. e.g. if your animal(s) is/are to be landed and cleared by HM Customs at a port/airport in England your application form should be submitted to DEFRA. If your animal(s) is/are to be landed at an airport in England but transhipped to an airport in Scotland for HM Customs clearance, or to be landed directly into Scotland, your application should be submitted to SEERAD. You may find that the quarantine premises will prepare and submit the application form on your behalf.

On receipt of your application form, we will confirm the booking with the quarantine premises and the carrying agent concerned and will then:

(a) send the licence to import your dog or cat to the carrying agent you have chosen. This is part of the routine procedure for the collection of your animal and its safe delivery into quarantine;

(b) send a 'boarding document' and a Red Label (ID44) to you or your named representative, which will confirm the licence number and also act as written evidence which a shipper or airline will require to see before allowing your animal to be embarked for this country.

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(a) By air
If your animal is to be transported by air, we will send to you or your representative a RED label (ID44) which must be completed and affixed to the crate containing your animal before it will be accepted for embarkation. This ensures that the crate is identifiable as containing an animal subject to quarantine.

The crate containing your animal must be of the appropriate International Air Transport Association (IATA) Standards i.e. it must be large enough to permit the animal to stand in a natural position, turn around and lie down. The airline will advise you on the correct size of crate. The animal must travel as manifest cargo in the freight compartment and not as excess/passenger baggage. In no circumstances will your animal be allowed to travel in the passenger cabin section. It is your responsibility to ensure that this condition is met. Failure to do so will be an offence for which you may be prosecuted.

(b) By sea
Animals must be crated before they are allowed to leave the vessel and each crate must have attached to it a RED label(ID44) which must be affixed to the crate containing your animal. At most ports the carrying agent will come on board to collect your animal.

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All expenses in connection with the landing, transit, quarantine and vaccination of your animal are solely for agreement between you and the quarantine premises/carrying agent concerned. Neither SEERAD nor DEFRA have responsibility for these expenses or for the loss, death or sickness of any imported animal whilst in transit or in quarantine in the United Kingdom. Cost of quarantine and carrying vary considerably and it is not therefore practicable to quote average costs in these notes. Details of charges can however be obtained from quarantine premises/carrying agents.

In considering the costs of quarantine you should also note that the period of detention may be extended beyond the normal 6 calendar months in the event of:

• an outbreak of rabies occurring at the quarantine premises; or
• your animal sharing accommodation with another animal or other animals and any of those animals dying.

The cost of the extended period will also be at your expense.

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We recommend that you agree a contract with the kennel owner(s). Please note that financial arrangements are entirely a matter between you and the kennel owner(s).

When agreeing a contract, it would be advisable to have the following points covered:

(a) Movement TO another kennel/cattery or re-exportation
If for some reason you wish your animal to be moved to another facility or to be re-exported a period of notice or charges in lieu of notice may be payable.

(b) Death in quarantine
In the event of your animal dying in quarantine that the fees charged are reasonable.

(c) Deposit and other monies paid in advance
Full details of the precise circumstances under which full and/or partial refunds should be given.

(d) Movement FROM other facilities
Precise variations from the standard prices should be described to cover this eventuality.

(e) Postponements
There may be penalties invoked where you postpone/cancel the arrival of your animal, and these should include details covering this event.

(f) Charges
You should ensure that you are aware of the total cost of placing your animals in quarantine. For example, are the following items included:

• heating
  Method of heating and details of charges;
• airport charges
  A full description of how the airline handling and customs clearance charges are passed on to you.
  
  N.B. For imports from outside the European Union:
  
  Be aware that H M Customs and Excise may levy duty on the value of your animal and the cost of the freight under certain circumstances. Also, under certain circumstances the cost of holding your animal at the port/airport may be incurred;
• veterinary fees
  You should be given full details of the veterinary charges and how these are passed on to you. If a surcharge is levied to pay for additional supervision, attendance and nursing then this should be specified.
• insurance
  A full description of the insurance available and the associated charges;
• supplementary diets (if allowed)
  A full description of the circumstances under which a surcharge may be levied for special diets and whether there is any reduction of boarding fees if you supply the food;
• coat care
  A full description and costs of grooming, bathing and coat care available and whether you will be consulted before costs are incurred;
• other charges
  All other charges should be described in full;
• visiting
  You should note that visiting is allowed only at the discretion of the Kennel owner/Veterinary Superintendent.

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If you have any cause for complaint firstly discuss with the quarantine premises owner. If you are not satisfied with the response for:

(a) security/disease
contact SEERAD or DEFRA

(b) the welfare of your animal
contact the Veterinary Superintendent of the quarantine premises;

(c) contract or brochure
contact the local Trading Standards Department.

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The Veterinary Superintendent bears the responsibility for veterinary control at the quarantine premises. He/She visits the premises daily from Monday to Saturday, and on Sunday when necessary. If you have any questions relating to the health or welfare of your animal you should bring it to his/her attention.

The Order provides for an animal landed without a licence to be either directed to quarantine, re-exported or destroyed and its owner prosecuted. Serious offences may be tried on indictment at a Sheriff Court where offenders are liable to penalties of up to a year's imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both. It is thus important to ensure that all the licensing requirements are met.

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New regulations were introduced on 1 July 1994 for commercially traded dogs and cats entering the UK from other European Union countries. These arrangements cannot be applied to pets, because they cannot be proved to have been born and kept on the premises of their birth, without exception.

If you would like further details about these regulations please contact:

Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, Animal Health and Welfare Division, Room 350, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY

Tel: 0131-244-6181
Fax: 0131-244-6616
E-Mail: Animal.health@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

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