Argentina to UK is a well-established long-haul pet route, used by British nationals returning from Buenos Aires and by Argentine nationals relocating to the UK. Argentina is a listed country under APHA rules, so no quarantine and no titre …
The Argentina to United Kingdom pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Verify microchip is ISO 11784/11785 standard and pre-dates the rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your vet
Verify now. Non-ISO chips are common in South America. UK border will not read them.
2
Confirm rabies vaccination is current and at least 21 days old
Responsible: Your vet
Allow 25+ days if updating is needed.
3
Book cargo space. Prefer direct BA flight to Heathrow over connecting services.
Responsible: Owner or agent
6-8 weeks ahead for the BA direct service.
4
SENASA-authorised vet issues health certificate in APHA-required format
Responsible: SENASA-authorised official vet
Within 10 days of travel.
5
Dogs: tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours before UK arrival. Record in certificate.
Responsible: Vet
For a 13-14 hour flight, treatment given 2-4 days before travel is typically correct.
6
Travel to Great Britain. Certificate checked at border inspection post on arrival.
Responsible: Airline/owner
On travel date.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter United Kingdom
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days since primary vaccination before entering Great Britain.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Argentina is a listed country for UK APHA purposes.
Quarantine
Not required for compliant arrivals. Penalty quarantine of up to 4 months for non-compliance.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
APHA-format health certificate for Argentina-origin pets, issued by SENASA-authorised vet within 10 days of travel to Great Britain.
Export permit (Argentina)
No formal export permit required for companion cats and dogs (up to 3 animals per person).
Costs
What this route typically costs
SENASA health certificate: approximately ARS 15,000-40,000 (GBP 80-200)
Airline cargo Buenos Aires to London Heathrow: GBP 900-2,800 depending on crate size (long-haul costs)
PetAir UK or UK agent handling on arrival: GBP 250-700
Pet transport agent (Argentina side): GBP 200-600
Total typical range: GBP 1,400 to GBP 4,500
Critical points to read before you book
ISO microchip verification is essential. Argentina has microchip standards that may not match ISO 11784/11785. A non-ISO chip will fail at the UK border scanner. Get the chip standard in writing from your Argentine vet before the trip.
Connecting flights can add complexity. If your route from Buenos Aires connects through a US city, be aware that the USA has its own documentation requirements. Prefer a direct or European-connecting (Madrid, Paris) route.
This is a 13-14 hour flight minimum. Heat stress for brachycephalic breeds on long hauls is a real risk. Airlines have stricter restrictions on brachycephalic breeds for long-haul cargo.
The SENASA certificate must be in Spanish. The UK accepts Spanish-language certificates, but it must meet the APHA-specified format requirements. Work with a vet who has done UK export certificates before.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
BRITISH
British Airways
London Heathrow to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) direct. Pets as cargo via IAG Cargo. Flight approximately 13-14 hours.
Cargo Only
LATAM AIRLINES
LATAM Airlines
Buenos Aires to London via connections. LATAM Cargo handles pet transport.
Cargo Only
IBERIA
Iberia
Buenos Aires to London via Madrid. Iberia Cargo. Common connecting option.
Cargo Only
AIR FRANCE
Air France
Buenos Aires to London via Paris CDG. Air France Cargo. Alternative to the BA direct service.
Cargo Only
Getting the SENASA certificate right for UK entry
The health certificate for UK entry must be issued by a vet authorised by SENASA (Argentina’s national food safety authority). The certificate must meet APHA’s specific requirements for the certificate format used for Argentine-origin pets.
Not every Argentine vet is familiar with the UK-specific requirements. Buenos Aires has several veterinary practices that work regularly with international pet moves, including to the UK. Using one of these experienced vets is worth the effort, as a certificate in the wrong format is rejected at the UK border inspection post regardless of whether the animal is healthy and vaccinated.
The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. This 10-day window is tight for a long-haul booking. Confirm your travel date well in advance and book the vet appointment for the final week before departure.
Microchip standards in Argentina
Argentina uses microchips, but the ISO 11784/11785 standard is not universally followed. Some Argentine-registered chips use the 125 kHz FDX-A format rather than the ISO 15-digit standard, and UK border scanners may not read them correctly.
Before starting any other preparation, ask your Argentine vet for the chip’s frequency and standard in writing. If it is not ISO 11784/11785, get a new ISO-standard chip implanted. The new chip must go in before any vaccination that counts toward UK entry requirements. If the timeline is tight, this needs to be sorted immediately.
FAQ
Common questions about Argentina to United Kingdom pet transport
No. Argentina is a listed country under APHA rules. No quarantine is required for compliant arrivals. Your pet needs a current health certificate in the APHA-specified format for Argentine-origin pets, a valid ISO microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination, and a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days since primary). Dogs need tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours before UK arrival.
You can, but it adds complexity for dogs. If your journey stops at a US airport (even in transit), US import requirements for dogs apply, including microchip and documentation checks. Argentina is not a CDC high-risk country, so the process is less fraught than for some other South American countries, but it is still an additional layer. A direct or European-connecting (via Madrid or Paris) route is simpler.
Allow 6-10 weeks from starting preparation to travel. The main timeline driver is whether vaccinations and microchip are already current. If everything is in order, the process is 2-3 weeks (for certificate appointment and booking). If the microchip needs replacing or vaccinations need updating, the 21-day wait pushes the minimum to about 6-8 weeks.
British Airways operates a direct Heathrow to Buenos Aires Ezeiza service and is the most straightforward option. IAG Cargo manages the pet transport. Iberia via Madrid and Air France via Paris are alternatives that involve one connection. LATAM also has cargo services on this route. For large breeds on a very long flight, discuss heat protocols and crate specifications with the carrier.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for your Argentina to United Kingdom pet move. Our specialists will map out the entire timeline and costs. No surprises.