A move from Rwanda to United Kingdom with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Expect around 22-30 weeks of lead time to line up the documents and the fixed waiting …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Rwanda to United Kingdom
typically takes around 22-30 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Rwanda to United Kingdom import process
01
Must happen before rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip
Responsible: Your vet in Rwanda
02
After microchipping. Record the exact date.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your vet in Rwanda
03
At least 30 days after vaccination. Use an EU/UK approved laboratory. Confirm lab approval before submitting the sample.
Titre test blood draw
Responsible: Your vet + approved laboratory
04
This is a fixed waiting period from the date of blood sampling, not from results receipt.
Wait 3 months from blood draw date
Responsible: Waiting period
05
RwandAir direct or via Qatar/Ethiopian. Book 4-6 weeks out.
Book cargo space
Responsible: You or your IPATA-registered agent
06
Praziquantel administered by vet, 24-120 hours before UK arrival.
Tapeworm treatment (dogs only)
Responsible: Your vet in Rwanda
07
Issued within 10 days of travel, endorsed by RAB.
Official health certificate
Responsible: Official vet + Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board
Requirements
United Kingdom entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required and current at time of travel.
Rabies titre test
Required. Blood drawn at least 30 days after rabies vaccination. Result at least 0.5 IU/ml at an EU/UK approved laboratory. 3-month wait from blood sampling date before travel.
Quarantine
No quarantine if all documentation is correct. Non-compliant animals may be refused entry or placed in quarantine at owner's expense.
Health certificate
Official health certificate from Rwanda, endorsed by RAB. Valid 10 days from issue.
Leaving Rwanda
Export requirements
Export permit
Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) supervises animal health and export. An export health certificate endorsed by RAB is required.
Health certificate
Issued by an official veterinarian in Rwanda and endorsed by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB). Must include microchip number, vaccination history, and titre test result.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo fees Kigali to London: typically USD 500-1,100 depending on carrier, routing, and pet size
IATA-compliant travel crate
Veterinary fees in Rwanda: microchip, vaccination, health certificate, titre test blood draw
Titre test laboratory fee at approved lab (approximately USD 100-200)
Tapeworm treatment fee (dogs)
IPATA-registered agent fee if used
Critical points
The 3-month wait runs from the blood draw date, not from when results arrived. Get this date right - it controls everything else in your timeline.
Confirm your titre test laboratory is on the EU/UK approved list. Not all laboratories in East Africa have this approval.
Verify that RwandAir Cargo is currently accepting pets on the KGL-LHR route before booking. Capacity and policy can vary.
Rwanda is a non-listed country for UK pet entry. The full APHA protocol applies with no shortcuts.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
RwandAir
RwandAir operates direct service between Kigali (KGL) and London Heathrow. RwandAir Cargo handles pet transport. The most direct routing option from Rwanda to the UK, avoiding a connecting hub. Confirm pet cargo capacity and current acceptance policy directly with RwandAir Cargo.
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways
Via Doha (DOH). Kigali to Doha then Doha to London Heathrow. Qatar Cargo handles pets in a temperature-controlled hold. Reliable and well-established for East/Central Africa to UK pet moves. Temperature embargoes may apply during Gulf summer months.
Cargo Only
Ethiopian Airlines
Via Addis Ababa (ADD). Kigali to Addis Ababa then Addis Ababa to London Heathrow. Ethiopian Airlines Cargo accepts pets. Small pets may travel in cabin on some legs. A longer routing but good schedule frequency from Kigali.
Cabin and Cargo
Kenya Airways
Via Nairobi (NBO). Kigali to Nairobi then Nairobi to London. Kenya Airways Cargo handles pets. Adds a Nairobi connection. Note that your pet briefly transits Kenya - confirm this does not introduce Kenyan import documentation requirements.
Cargo Only
KLM
Via Amsterdam (AMS). Kigali to Amsterdam then Amsterdam to London. Small pets may travel in cabin on Amsterdam-London leg. Cargo for larger pets. Adds a European connection.
Cabin and Cargo
What United Kingdom requires
The requirements for United Kingdom are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.
Avoiding the common mistakes
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Yes. RwandAir operates direct service between Kigali International Airport (KGL) and London Heathrow. RwandAir Cargo handles pet transport on this route. Confirm pet acceptance and cargo space with RwandAir Cargo before booking. Qatar Airways via Doha and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa are the main alternatives if direct space is unavailable.
The waiting period is 3 months from the date blood was drawn for the titre test. The blood must have been drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. The 3-month wait cannot be shortened regardless of how quickly results arrive. Start the process as early as possible.
The test must be carried out at a laboratory approved by the EU or UK. Not all laboratories in East Africa hold this approval. Confirm the laboratory is on the official approved list before submitting the blood sample. Using an unapproved lab means the result will not be accepted and the entire process must restart.
Your official vet in Rwanda issues the health certificate and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) endorses it. Allow 1-2 weeks for the RAB endorsement. Your pet transport agent can manage this process if you are using one, or contact RAB through the Rwanda Ministry of Agriculture for current procedures.
Yes. Dogs entering the UK from non-listed countries must receive a Praziquantel tapeworm treatment administered by a vet between 24 and 120 hours before arriving in the UK. Cats are exempt. The vet records the treatment on the official health certificate.
Airline guides
RwandAir
Qatar Airways
Ethiopian Airlines
Kenya Airways
KLM
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.