Pet Transport Ghana to UK: Titre Test, VSD Permit and Accra to London in 2026

Ghana is classified as an unlisted country under UK pet travel rules, which adds the FAVN titre test and a 90-day waiting period to the process. Plan for four to five months. The …

16-20 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Medium

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Step by step

The import process, in full

4-5 months before travel.

ISO microchip implanted, predating the rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Your vet

4-5 months before travel.

Primary rabies vaccination confirmed current. Note date.

Responsible: Your vet

4 months before travel.

FAVN titre blood drawn at least 30 days after primary vaccination, at an APHA-approved lab. 90-day wait starts from blood draw date if result passes.

Responsible: Your vet and APHA-approved laboratory

6-8 weeks before travel.

Apply for VSD export permit at least 6 weeks before travel.

Responsible: You or your agent

6-8 weeks before travel.

Book cargo from Accra (ACC) to London Heathrow via British Airways direct or KLM/Air France via European hub.

Responsible: You or cargo agent

1-5 days before UK arrival.

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

Responsible: Your Ghanaian vet

Within 10 days of travel.

VSD-endorsed health certificate from official vet within 10 days of travel.

Responsible: VSD-endorsed 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. At least 30 days between primary vaccination and titre blood draw. Source: GOV.UK.

Rabies titre test

Required. Ghana 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 before travel to the UK. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.

Quarantine

No routine quarantine for compliant pets. Penalty quarantine up to 4 months for non-compliance. Source: GOV.UK.

Health certificate

AHC from VSD-endorsed Ghanaian official vet, within 10 days of travel. Covers microchip, vaccination, titre test, and tapeworm treatment for dogs.

Export permit

Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) export permit required. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel.

Health certificate

Official Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a Ghana-registered official veterinarian and endorsed by the Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD), Ghana. For UK entry this functions as the Animal Health Certificate. Issued within 10 days of travel.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Ghana to United Kingdom move gets missed.

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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.

British Airways

British Airways operates from Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC) to London Heathrow (LHR). BA World Cargo accepts pets as manifested cargo on the ACC-LHR route. This is the most direct Accra to London pet cargo option.

Cargo Only

KLM

KLM operates ACC to Amsterdam (AMS) with cargo connections to London. KLM Cargo is experienced with West African live animal exports. The Amsterdam transit is generally manageable.

Cargo Only

Air France

Air France operates ACC to Paris CDG, with Cargo connections to London. A viable alternative for Accra to UK pet cargo via a European hub.

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

FAVN titre test at APHA-approved lab: USD 150-350

VSD permit and endorsement: GHS 200-600 (approximately GBP 10-30)

Official vet health certificate: GBP 80-180

Tapeworm treatment (dogs): GBP 15-40

IATA crate: GBP 60-250 if needed

Pet cargo Accra to London: GBP 900-2,500

Agent fees: GBP 200-500

Total typical range: GBP 1,500-3,700

Critical points

Ghana is unlisted for UK pet travel. The titre test and 90-day wait are mandatory. Plan for four to five months minimum from microchip to flight.

Ghana's VSD permit takes at least 6 weeks to process. Apply early. VSD may also require an inspection of the animal before issuing the export permit.

British Airways from Accra to Heathrow is the most direct route. Verify that cargo acceptance is confirmed for your specific travel date, as cargo space can be limited on the ACC route.

Ghana has a 7-day quarantine for IMPORT of pets into Ghana (for pets arriving in Ghana). This is not relevant for export from Ghana to the UK, but be aware if you are planning a return trip.

Ghana's VSD and what the export process involves

The Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) under Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture handles live animal exports. The VSD issues the export permit and endorses the official health certificate from your vet. Both are required for UK border inspection.

Allow at least six weeks for the VSD process. The directorate may require a physical inspection of the animal at a VSD facility before issuing the export permit. The permit has a validity period, so obtain it close enough to travel that it covers your departure date without being so early that it expires.

The FAVN titre test is the UK’s requirement, not Ghana’s. Ghana’s VSD process runs in parallel, but the titre test timeline dictates the overall preparation window: four to five months from first vaccination to flight.

Accra to London cargo options

Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC) has reasonable cargo connections to Europe. British Airways operates a direct ACC-LHR route, which is the cleanest option for UK-bound pet cargo: no European transit, direct arrival at an approved UK entry port. BA World Cargo handles the booking.

KLM via Amsterdam and Air France via Paris are the main European hub alternatives if British Airways cargo is unavailable on your travel date. The Amsterdam transit on KLM is generally considered well-organised for live animal transit, and KLM has experience with West African animal shipments. Confirm live animal acceptance, transit conditions, and the full routing before booking.

FAQ

Common questions

Four to five months is the realistic minimum. Microchip first (if not done), then primary rabies vaccination, 30-day wait before blood draw, FAVN titre test at APHA-approved lab (lab results typically take 1-3 weeks), then the 90-day waiting period after a successful test. The VSD permit process runs in parallel and takes 6 weeks. Add 4-6 weeks for the final certificate and cargo booking.

Yes. The Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) under Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture endorses the official health certificate issued by your vet. Without VSD endorsement, the certificate is not accepted at UK border inspection. Apply for the VSD export permit at least 6 weeks before travel.

British Airways operates a direct Accra Kotoka (ACC) to London Heathrow (LHR) route and accepts pets as manifested cargo via BA World Cargo. KLM via Amsterdam and Air France via Paris are the main alternatives if direct BA space is unavailable. All carry pets as cargo only.

No routine quarantine, provided documentation is complete and the titre test is valid. Penalty quarantine of up to 4 months applies for non-compliance (missing titre test, incomplete AHC, unapproved arrival port). Source: GOV.UK.

Praziquantel treatment administered by a vet, recorded in the travel document, between 24 and 120 hours before your dog’s scheduled UK arrival time. The window is five days, closing 24 hours before arrival. Time it from UK arrival, not Accra departure. Cats do not need the tapeworm treatment.

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Pet Transport Ghana to UK: Titre Test, VSD Permit and Accra to London in 2026

The import process, in full

What your pet needs

Carriers on this route

What this route typically costs

Critical points

Ghana's VSD and what the export process involves

Accra to London cargo options

Common questions

Move your pet

Airline guides

Breed guides

Get a free pet transport quote