Pet Transport from Sri Lanka to France

If you're relocating from Sri Lanka to France and taking your pet, the good news is thousands of families do this every year. This route is moderately involved, with a clear …

20-26 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Moderate

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Step by step

The import process, in full

First step - must be done before any vaccinations.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.

Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.

Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk

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

Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or at same time as rabies vaccination

Rabies vaccination

Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel. Standard EU protocol. 21-day wait from first vaccination.

Rabies titre test

Required for: Pets from unlisted third countries. Not required for: Pets from EU and listed third countries (all P1 countries listed). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait from test date before entry

Quarantine

No routine quarantine. Non-compliant animals may be quarantined or returned at owner's expense.

Import permit

No formal import permit. EU pet passport or AHC serves as documentation.

Health certificate

Required

Export permit

Export permit from DAPH.

Health certificate

{'required': True, 'issued_by': 'DAPH-authorised official vet'}

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Sri Lanka to France move gets missed.

Pet Transport Global

Airlines

Carriers on this route

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

British Airways

Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.

Cargo Only

Air France

Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes

Cabin and Cargo

Emirates

Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)

Cargo Only

Lufthansa

Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round

Cabin and Cargo

Singapore Airlines

Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons

Cargo Only

Cathay Pacific

Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met

Cargo Only

KLM

Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo

Cabin and Cargo

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)

IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)

Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate

Rabies titre test laboratory fee

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Why this route needs early planning

Compared to some international pet transport routes, Sri Lanka to France is manageable. That said, every country’s rules are different and the timing requirements are strict.

France follows EU harmonised pet movement rules. Direction Generale de l’Alimentation (DGAL) under the Ministry of Agriculture oversees implementation. France is one of the most pet-friendly countries in Europe with high pet ownership, though some rental properties restrict pets. France has its own breed-specific legislation (Categories 1 and 2) that is notably strict.

Things to sort before you book

Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.

Book the titre test laboratory well in advance. Approved labs have limited appointment slots and the blood sample processing takes time. Don’t leave this to the last few weeks.

Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.

If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.

FAQ

Common questions

Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.

No routine quarantine is required in France for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.

Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter France. Start this process as early as possible.

Yes, cats can be transported from Sri Lanka to France. The same microchip, vaccination, and health certificate requirements apply as for dogs, though some rules (such as tapeworm treatment) apply to dogs only. Check the full requirements for cats with the destination authority.

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Move your pet

to France.

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Airline guides

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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Pet Transport from Sri Lanka to France

The import process, in full

What your pet needs

Carriers on this route

What this route typically costs

Critical points

Why this route needs early planning

Things to sort before you book

Common questions

Move your pet

Airline guides

Breed guides

Get a free pet transport quote