Pet Transport Pakistan to UK: AQD Permit, Titre Test and 2026 Requirements

Pakistan is classified as an unlisted country under UK pet travel rules, which means the FAVN titre test and 90-day waiting period are mandatory. 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. Note date.

Responsible: Your vet

4 months before travel.

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

Responsible: Your vet and APHA-approved laboratory

6-8 weeks before travel.

Apply for AQD export permit at least 6 weeks before travel. AQD may require animal inspection.

Responsible: You or your agent

6-8 weeks before travel.

Book cargo from LHE, KHI, or ISB to London Heathrow on PIA, British Airways, or via Gulf hub. Confirm live animal acceptance.

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 Pakistani vet

Within 10 days of travel.

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

Responsible: AQD-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.

Rabies titre test

Required. Pakistan 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 for non-compliance. Source: GOV.UK.

Health certificate

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

Export permit

Animal Quarantine Department (AQD) export permit required. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel. AQD may require animal inspection at an approved quarantine facility.

Health certificate

Official Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a Pakistan-registered official veterinarian and endorsed by the Animal Quarantine Department (AQD), Ministry of National Food Security and Research. 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 Pakistan 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.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)

PIA operates from Lahore Allama Iqbal (LHE), Karachi Jinnah International (KHI), and Islamabad International (ISB) to London Heathrow. PIA Cargo accepts pets as manifested cargo. A direct routing from Pakistan's main cities to London.

Cargo Only

British Airways

British Airways operates from Lahore (LHE) and Islamabad (ISB) to London Heathrow. BA World Cargo accepts pets. A direct option that avoids Middle East transits.

Cargo Only

Emirates

Via Dubai (DXB) from Karachi, Lahore, or Islamabad. Emirates SkyCargo accepts pets. Summer heat embargoes at DXB apply. Confirm embargo policy before booking for June-September travel.

Cargo Only

Qatar Airways Cargo

Via Doha (DOH) from Pakistani cities to London. A reliable Gulf hub routing alternative.

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

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

AQD permit and endorsement: PKR 5,000-15,000 (approximately USD 18-55)

Official vet health certificate: GBP 60-150

Tapeworm treatment (dogs): GBP 15-40

IATA crate: GBP 60-250 if needed

Pet cargo Pakistan to London (direct or via hub): GBP 700-2,200

Agent fees: GBP 200-500

Total typical range: GBP 1,300-3,540

Critical points

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

Pakistan's AQD may require the animal to be inspected at an approved quarantine facility before the export permit is issued. Factor this into your timeline and location planning.

Pakistan bans Pit Bull Terriers and Rottweilers from some areas. The UK bans Pit Bull Terrier type dogs, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. Verify your dog's type before starting.

Three main departure airports: Lahore (LHE), Karachi (KHI), and Islamabad (ISB). PIA and British Airways serve all three to London. Check cargo schedules from your nearest airport.

AQD and what it requires from Pakistan

The Animal Quarantine Department (AQD) under Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research handles live animal exports. It issues the export permit and endorses the official health certificate for UK entry. In some cases, AQD requires the animal to be inspected at one of its approved quarantine facilities before issuing the permit.

Apply for the AQD permit at least six weeks before travel, earlier if you are based outside Islamabad or Lahore where AQD offices are located. The permit has a validity period, so obtain it close to your travel date without being so early that it expires before departure. Your AQD-endorsed vet issues the health certificate within 10 days of travel.

Cargo from Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad

Three major airports serve Pakistan for international pet cargo. Lahore Allama Iqbal International (LHE) and Islamabad International (ISB) are served by both PIA and British Airways direct to London Heathrow. Karachi Jinnah International (KHI) has PIA and Gulf hub connections via Emirates or Qatar Airways.

The direct PIA or British Airways routing from LHE or ISB to Heathrow is the simplest option, avoiding a transit. PIA Cargo is familiar with the Pakistan to UK corridor. British Airways World Cargo offers a well-supported direct service. If you are in Karachi, the Gulf hub routing via Emirates or Qatar may be more practical but introduces summer heat embargo considerations.

FAQ

Common questions

The UK requires the titre test because Pakistan is an unlisted country under UK pet travel rules. The FAVN titre test at an APHA-approved lab, blood drawn at least 30 days after primary vaccination, result 0.5 IU/ml or above, followed by a 90-day wait. Pakistan’s AQD also requires its own export permit and certificate endorsement. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.

Yes. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and British Airways both operate direct services from Lahore Allama Iqbal International (LHE) to London Heathrow, and both accept pets as manifested cargo. This is the most convenient direct routing if you are based in Lahore or Punjab. Islamabad International (ISB) offers similar direct options.

Allow at least six weeks for the AQD export permit. In cases where AQD requires an animal inspection at an approved facility, this can add further time. Apply for the permit as soon as you have confirmed your titre test is in progress. Do not leave the AQD application until the last few weeks before travel.

Praziquantel treatment by a vet, recorded in the health certificate, between 24 and 120 hours before the dog’s scheduled UK arrival time. That is a five-day window closing 24 hours before arrival. Time it from UK arrival, not from the Pakistani departure. Cats are exempt from the tapeworm requirement.

No routine quarantine for compliant pets. Penalty quarantine up to 4 months applies if the titre test is invalid, the AHC is deficient, or an unapproved route is used. Source: GOV.UK.

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Pet Transport Pakistan to UK: AQD Permit, Titre Test and 2026 Requirements

The import process, in full

What your pet needs

Carriers on this route

What this route typically costs

Critical points

AQD and what it requires from Pakistan

Cargo from Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad

Common questions

Move your pet

Airline guides

Breed guides

Get a free pet transport quote