Egypt to UK pet transport has one significant extra step compared to most European-to-UK routes: embassy attestation of the health certificate. The certificate from the GOVS-authorised vet must be attested by the Egyptian embassy before …
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. ISO compatibility is commonly missed.
2
Confirm rabies vaccination is current and at least 21 days old
Responsible: Your vet
Allow time to update. 21-day wait from primary vaccination.
3
Apply for GOVS export permit
Responsible: Owner, GOVS
At least 3-4 weeks before travel.
4
GOVS-authorised vet issues health certificate. GOVS endorsement obtained.
Responsible: GOVS-authorised vet, GOVS
Within 10 days of travel.
5
Get health certificate attested by the Egyptian embassy (or the British embassy in Egypt)
Responsible: Owner or agent
1-2 weeks before travel. This step must be completed AFTER the certificate is issued, within the 10-day window.
6
Book cargo space on Egyptair or BA direct
Responsible: Owner or agent
6-8 weeks ahead.
7
Dogs: tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours before UK arrival. Record in certificate.
Responsible: Vet
For a Cairo to London flight of 5 hours, treatment given 1-4 days before travel is typically within the window.
8
Travel to Great Britain. Attested certificate checked at border inspection post.
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. Egypt is a listed country under UK APHA rules.
Quarantine
Not required for compliant arrivals. Egypt is a listed country (Part 2) under APHA rules.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
APHA-specified format for Egypt-origin pets, issued within 10 days of travel. Embassy attestation must be in place.
Export permit (Egypt)
Export permit required from GOVS (General Organisation for Veterinary Services).
Costs
What this route typically costs
GOVS export permit and certificate: approximately EGP 1,000-3,000 (GBP 15-45)
Egyptian embassy attestation fee: approximately USD 50-150 (GBP 40-120)
Airline cargo Cairo to London: GBP 400-1,400 depending on crate size
Pet transport agent (Cairo side): EGP 5,000-15,000 (GBP 75-225)
PetAir UK handling on arrival: GBP 250-600
Total typical range: GBP 800 to GBP 2,500
Critical points to read before you book
Embassy attestation is the step most owners overlook. The health certificate must be attested by the Egyptian embassy after it is issued. This takes 1-2 weeks. The window between certificate issuance (10 days before travel) and the attestation appointment means the timing must be carefully planned. Leave yourself at least 2 weeks from certificate issue to travel.
Egypt bans Pit Bull Terriers for import. If you want to export your dog from Egypt to the UK, and the UK's Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 also applies to the breed, confirm the UK rules for your specific dog's breed type.
ISO microchip: verify the standard before starting the process. Non-ISO chips are common across North Africa.
Cairo temperatures in summer exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Airlines impose heat restrictions on cargo animals during summer months. Plan an autumn or spring move if possible.
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.
EGYPTAIR
Egyptair
Direct Cairo (CAI) to London Heathrow. Egyptair Cargo handles pet transport. Flight approximately 5 hours.
Cargo Only
BRITISH
British Airways
Heathrow to Cairo direct. Cargo service via IAG Cargo.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Cairo to London via Frankfurt. Lufthansa Cargo. Connection adds time.
Cargo Only
The attestation step: timing it correctly
Egypt requires that health certificates for animal exports be attested by an embassy. For UK-bound pets, this means the certificate issued by your GOVS-authorised Cairo vet must then be attested by either the Egyptian embassy in London or the British embassy in Cairo.
The practical challenge is timing. The health certificate is valid for 10 days from issue to entry into Great Britain. Embassy attestation takes 1-2 weeks in normal circumstances. This means you need to allow enough time for attestation within that 10-day window.
The typical approach is to issue the certificate early in the 10-day window, immediately submit it for attestation at the British embassy in Cairo (which is faster for Cairo-based owners than posting to London and back), and travel on day 8 or 9 of the window with the attested certificate in hand.
A Cairo-based pet transport agent who handles UK export regularly will know which embassy route is faster and how to coordinate the timing. This is one situation where an agent earns their fee.
Egypt's heat and airline cargo windows
Cairo regularly exceeds 40 degrees Celsius in summer. Airport tarmac temperatures are higher still. Most airline cargo carriers apply heat embargoes on live animal transport during the hottest months.
For UK-bound pets from Cairo, planning the move in October through April avoids the worst heat restrictions. Moves in May, June, July, or August will require careful airline selection and early-morning departure times to minimise heat exposure.
Brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boxers) face additional restrictions year-round for long or heat-exposed journeys. If your dog is a brachycephalic breed, discuss the travel conditions with your airline and vet before booking.
FAQ
Common questions about Egypt to United Kingdom pet transport
No. Egypt is a listed country under APHA rules. No quarantine is required for compliant arrivals. The requirements are a current health certificate (with embassy attestation), 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.
Egypt requires that export health certificates for animals be officially attested (authenticated) by an embassy. For UK-bound pets, you need the certificate attested by either the Egyptian embassy in London or the British embassy in Cairo. This is an administrative verification step that confirms the certificate is genuine. It is not a veterinary check. It takes 1-2 weeks and must be completed within the 10-day certificate validity window.
Egypt bans Pit Bull Terriers from being imported into the country. When it comes to export, the same type of dog may face restrictions in your destination country. The UK prohibits four types under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991: Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. Verify both the Egyptian export rules and the UK entry rules for your breed before starting.
Egyptair and British Airways both operate direct Cairo to London Heathrow services with cargo pet capacity. Egyptair Cargo is a practical choice for Cairo-based owners coordinating with Egyptian agents. For large breeds requiring substantial crates, book well in advance, as cargo spaces are limited on this route. Confirm heat embargo policies when booking if you are travelling in summer.