EC
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Pet Transport Ecuador to UK: AGROCALIDAD, Titre Test and Full 2026 Requirements

Ecuador is classified as unlisted under UK pet travel rules, which means the FAVN titre test applies alongside the standard requirements. The sequence is fixed: microchip before …

16-20 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
Medium
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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What's required
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must …
Rabies vaccinationCurrent rabies vaccination required. …
Rabies titre testRequired. Ecuador is unlisted under UK …
QuarantineNo routine quarantine for compliant …
Health certificateAHC from AGROCALIDAD-registered official …
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
Start of planning, 4-5 months before travel.
Confirm ISO microchip is implanted and recorded before the rabies vaccination date.

Responsible: Your vet

2
4-5 months before travel.
Verify or administer primary rabies vaccination. Record the date.

Responsible: Your vet

3
4 months before travel.
Draw blood for FAVN titre test at least 30 days after primary vaccination. Use an APHA-approved laboratory. 90-day wait starts from blood draw date once result passes.

Responsible: Your vet and APHA-approved laboratory

4
6-8 weeks before travel.
Apply for AGROCALIDAD export permit at least 4 weeks before travel.

Responsible: You or your agent

5
6-8 weeks before travel.
Book cargo from Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) to London Heathrow via Madrid or similar. Confirm live animal acceptance.

Responsible: You or cargo agent

6
1-5 days before UK arrival.
Tapeworm treatment (dogs): 24 to 120 hours before UK arrival. Vet-administered and recorded.

Responsible: Your Ecuadorian vet

7
Within 10 days of travel.
Obtain AGROCALIDAD-endorsed health certificate within 10 days of travel.

Responsible: AGROCALIDAD-registered official vet

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must predate the primary rabies vaccination. Source: GOV.UK.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. Wait at least 30 days from the primary vaccination before the titre blood draw. Source: GOV.UK.
Rabies titre test
Required. Ecuador is unlisted under UK pet travel rules. FAVN titre test at an APHA-approved laboratory. Blood drawn at least 30 days after primary vaccination. Result 0.5 IU/ml or above. 90-day waiting period from the date of the successful blood draw. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for compliant pets. Penalty quarantine up to 4 months if paperwork is deficient. Source: GOV.UK.
Health certificate
AHC from AGROCALIDAD-registered official vet, within 10 days of travel, covering microchip, vaccination, titre test, and tapeworm treatment for dogs.
Export permit
AGROCALIDAD export permit required. Apply at least 4 weeks before travel.
Health certificate
Official Veterinary Health Certificate issued by an AGROCALIDAD-registered official veterinarian and endorsed by AGROCALIDAD (Agencia de Regulacion y Control Fito y Zoosanitario). For UK entry this functions as the Animal Health Certificate. Issued within 10 days of travel.
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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

Iberia
Iberia operates from Quito Mariscal Sucre (UIO) and Guayaquil Jose Olmedo (GYE) via Madrid Barajas (MAD) to London Heathrow. Iberia Cargo accepts pets on the South America to Europe corridor. A common routing for Ecuador to UK pet cargo.
Cargo Only
Air France-KLM Cargo
Via Paris CDG or Amsterdam AMS from Quito or Guayaquil, with UK connection. Air France-KLM Cargo accepts pets. Confirm the full routing and live animal acceptance before booking.
Cargo Only
American Airlines
From Quito or Guayaquil via Miami International (MIA) or other US hubs, with connections to the UK. American Eagle Cargo can handle the Ecuador to US leg; confirm arrangements for onward UK connection.
Cargo Only
LATAM Airlines
LATAM Cargo operates within South America and connects to European hubs via Lima or other gateways. Confirm routing from Ecuador departure airports and availability for live animals.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

FAVN titre test at APHA-approved lab: USD 150-350
AGROCALIDAD permit and endorsement fees: USD 50-100
Official vet health certificate: GBP 80-180
Tapeworm treatment (dogs): GBP 15-40
IATA-compliant travel crate: GBP 60-250 if needed
Pet cargo Quito or Guayaquil to London: GBP 900-2,300
Pet transport agent fees: GBP 200-500
Total typical range: GBP 1,500-3,700

Critical points

Ecuador is unlisted for UK entry. The titre test and 90-day wait are non-negotiable. Build your timeline from the blood draw date backwards: 4-5 months is the minimum from microchip to flight.

Ecuador bans American Pit Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, and Dogo Argentinos. The UK additionally restricts Pit Bull Terrier type dogs, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. If your dog is any of these types, explore this before starting.

Two departure airports serve Ecuador: Quito Mariscal Sucre (UIO) in the north and Guayaquil Jose Olmedo (GYE) on the coast. Check which has better cargo connections to London for your routing and crate size.

The AHC is valid for 10 days from the date of examination. The cargo booking needs to be within that window. A vet appointment and a cargo departure date that fall in the same 10-day period are essential to plan together.

AGROCALIDAD and what Ecuador's authority issues

AGROCALIDAD (Agencia de Regulacion y Control Fito y Zoosanitario) is Ecuador’s national animal and plant health authority. It handles both the export permit for live animals leaving Ecuador and the endorsement of the health certificate issued by your official vet. Without the AGROCALIDAD endorsement, the health certificate is not accepted at UK border inspection.

Apply for the export permit online at least four weeks before travel. The permit has a validity period, so obtain it close enough to departure that it covers your travel date. AGROCALIDAD inspectors may also check the animal at the departure airport, so have all documentation readily accessible.

Your AGROCALIDAD-registered vet issues the health certificate within 10 days of travel. This is the document that covers microchip, vaccination, titre test details, and the tapeworm treatment record for dogs. It needs to be accurate and match all other documentation.

Routing from Quito and Guayaquil

Ecuador has two main international departure airports. Quito Mariscal Sucre (UIO) serves the capital and the north. Guayaquil Jose Olmedo (GYE) serves the coast and the south. Both have connections to Madrid and other European hubs, but the frequency and carrier options differ. Iberia, which operates the main Ecuador to Madrid route, connects well from both airports, and Iberia Cargo accepts pets on this corridor.

The transit through Madrid is generally the smoothest option for Ecuador to London pet cargo. Madrid Barajas handles a high volume of South American live animal shipments and the transit to Heathrow on Iberia or via a connecting UK carrier is a well-established route. Air France via Paris and KLM via Amsterdam are viable alternatives. Confirm live animal acceptance and routing specifics with a cargo specialist.

FAQ

Common questions

Yes, because Ecuador is an unlisted country under UK pet travel rules. The FAVN titre test is mandatory: blood drawn at least 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination, result of 0.5 IU/ml or above at an APHA-approved lab, followed by a 90-day waiting period. This applies to all dogs and cats. Source: GOV.UK listed and unlisted countries, 2026.
AGROCALIDAD (Agencia de Regulacion y Control Fito y Zoosanitario) endorses the health certificate issued by your official vet in Ecuador. The certificate without AGROCALIDAD endorsement is not accepted by UK border inspection. Apply for the export permit through AGROCALIDAD at least four weeks before travel.
Yes. Both Guayaquil Jose Olmedo (GYE) and Quito Mariscal Sucre (UIO) handle international pet cargo. The routing options and carrier availability differ, so check with a cargo agent which airport has better connections to London for your specific crate size and travel date.
Around 16 to 20 weeks (4 to 5 months) if starting from scratch. The microchip and vaccination take a few weeks, the 30-day wait before blood draw, the titre test lab turnaround (typically 1-3 weeks), then the 90-day wait. The final certificate and cargo booking take 2-4 weeks on top of that.
Yes. The UK bans Pit Bull Terrier type dogs (assessed by type characteristics, not breed name), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Ecuador’s own legislation restricts Pit Bull, Rottweiler, and Dogo Argentino. If your dog is any of these types, seek specialist advice before starting the process.
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