Pet Transport UK to Sri Lanka: The 90-Day Wait and Everything That Follows
24-32 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
Very High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Regulations verified
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities.
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Overview
Sri Lanka has one of the most involved pet import processes in South Asia. A titre test is required for all dogs and cats, followed by a mandatory 90-day waiting period after the test. On top of that, the DAPH import permit requires a 3-month application lead time, and the health certificate must be attested by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London before travel. After all this, a 30-day home quarantine applies on arrival. Allow 6-7 months to prepare. Thousands of pets have made this journey successfully with careful planning.
Step by step
The United Kingdom to Sri Lanka process
1
Before vaccinations.
ISO microchip implanted
Responsible: Vet
2
Primary vaccination and current booster. Blood draw for titre test at least 30 days after vaccination.
Rabies vaccination completed
Responsible: Vet
3
At least 30 days after most recent rabies vaccination.
Titre test blood draw at DAPH-approved laboratory
Responsible: DAPH-approved laboratory
4
Mandatory. Cannot be shortened. Travel must be after 90 days from the titre test date.
90-day wait after titre test
Responsible: Owner to track
5
At least 3 months before travel. Submit with microchip details, vaccination records, titre test result.
Apply for DAPH import permit
Responsible: Owner or agent
6
Issued within 14 days of travel, endorsed by APHA, then attested by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London.
APHA health certificate, attested by Sri Lanka High Commission
Responsible: APHA-authorised vet, APHA, then Sri Lanka High Commission
7
On arrival. DAPH Quarantine Officer is present.
Arrival at Katunayake Airport; sign Quarantine Surveillance Agreement
Responsible: Owner and DAPH
8
At owner's premises in Sri Lanka. Cannot leave the premises during this period.
30-day home quarantine under surveillance
Responsible: Owner (surveillance by DAPH)
Checklist
Sri Lanka: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current vaccination, valid within 12 months.
Rabies titre test
Required for ALL dogs and cats, without exception. Rabies antibody titre test (FAVN, minimum 0.5 IU/ml) at a DAPH-approved laboratory. Blood drawn at least 30 days after primary rabies vaccination. 90-day wait after the titre test before travel.
Quarantine
30 days at the OWNER'S PREMISES (not a government facility). On arrival at Katunayake Airport, the owner signs a Quarantine Surveillance Agreement with the DAPH Quarantine Officer. During the 30 days, the animal is kept at home under quarantine surveillance.
Import permit
Required. Apply to DAPH (Department of Animal Production and Health) at least 3 months before travel. This is a firm minimum. The permit is valid for 90 days once issued.
Health certificate
Official Veterinary Health Certificate, APHA-endorsed, then attested by the Sri Lanka High Commission in the country of origin. Valid 14 days from issue.
Leaving United Kingdom
Export requirements
Requirement
Detail
Export permit
No formal UK export permit. The APHA-endorsed and attested health certificate is the required document.
Health certificate
APHA Export Health Certificate issued by an APHA-authorised vet and endorsed by APHA. Must be attested by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London before travel.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Cargo airline fee: £1,100 to £2,500 from Heathrow to Colombo depending on crate size
2
APHA Export Health Certificate and endorsement: £150 to £350
3
Titre test at DAPH-approved laboratory: £150 to £350
4
Sri Lanka High Commission attestation fee: varies, check current fee schedule
5
DAPH import permit fee: confirm with DAPH
6
Pet transport agent fee: £500 to £1,800
7
IATA-compliant travel crate: £60 to £350
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The 90-day wait after the titre test is mandatory and cannot be shortened. Combined with the 30-day post-vaccination window before the blood draw, the absolute minimum preparation time is about 5 months, plus the DAPH permit application at 3 months. Start 6-7 months before travel.
⚠ The health certificate must be attested by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London. Without this, it will not be accepted on arrival. Allow several days for the attestation process.
⚠ 30-day home quarantine applies after arrival. Your pet stays at your Sri Lankan address under DAPH surveillance. You will sign the Quarantine Surveillance Agreement at the airport.
⚠ American Pit Bull Terriers are banned from import into Sri Lanka.
⚠ DAPH import permit is valid for 90 days once issued. Time your permit application so the travel date falls within that validity window.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
SriLankan Airlines
Sri Lanka's national carrier. Flies Heathrow to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. Pet cargo accepted via SriLankan Airlines Cargo. Primary option for this route.
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways
Via Doha to Colombo. Handles live animal cargo. Connection adds transit time; confirm total crate time.
Cargo Only
British Airways
Heathrow to Colombo via connection. Pet cargo via IAG Cargo. Confirm current routing and live animal acceptance.
Cargo Only
The titre test and the 90-day wait
This is the step that defines the timeline for UK to Sri Lanka pet transport. All dogs and cats must have a rabies antibody titre test at a DAPH-approved laboratory. The blood draw must be at least 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination, and once the result comes back (it must be 0.5 IU/ml or above), you must wait 90 days before your pet can travel. That 90-day wait is non-negotiable.
Working backwards, if you plan to fly to Sri Lanka in late November, your titre test blood draw must happen before late August, which means your rabies vaccination needs to be done no later than late July. And the DAPH import permit application, which takes 3 months, must go in by late August at the latest. These timelines overlap, so plan everything simultaneously rather than sequentially.
Health certificate attestation and home quarantine
After the DAPH import permit is issued, the final documentation step is the APHA Export Health Certificate, which must be APHA-endorsed and then separately attested by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London. The attestation confirms the authenticity of the APHA endorsement for Sri Lankan authorities. Without it, the certificate will not be accepted. The certificate itself must be issued within 14 days of travel, so the attestation needs to happen in the final days before departure. Build in time for the High Commission’s processing schedule.
After arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, you will sign a Quarantine Surveillance Agreement with the DAPH Quarantine Officer present at the airport. From that point, your pet stays at your Sri Lankan home address under DAPH surveillance for 30 days. DAPH officers may conduct spot checks. Your pet should not leave the premises during this period. After 30 days, DAPH clears the quarantine and your pet is free to move normally.
FAQ
Common questions
Sri Lanka’s DAPH requires 90 days after the titre test as a post-vaccination observation period, consistent with the approach used by several rabies-free island nations. The titre test demonstrates that your pet has produced adequate antibodies against rabies, and the 90-day wait provides additional confidence that the protection has been established. This cannot be shortened by any means, including re-vaccination or additional testing.
30-day home quarantine means your pet stays at your home address in Sri Lanka under surveillance by DAPH officers, rather than at a government facility. On arrival at the airport, you sign a Quarantine Surveillance Agreement with the DAPH Quarantine Officer. For the following 30 days, your pet must remain on the premises. DAPH may conduct unannounced checks. At the end of 30 days, DAPH releases the quarantine and your pet is free to move normally.
The health certificate attestation confirms to Sri Lankan authorities that the APHA endorsement on your health certificate is genuine. You take the APHA-endorsed health certificate to the Sri Lanka High Commission in London, where they add their official stamp and signature. This must happen after the health certificate is issued (within 14 days of travel) and before you fly. Check the Sri Lanka High Commission website for current processing times and fees, as these can vary.
American Pit Bull Terriers are banned from import into Sri Lanka under DAPH regulations. Other breeds are not subject to a specific national ban. If your dog has Pit Bull characteristics or resembles the banned type, contact DAPH before applying for the import permit. Do not attempt to import a banned breed, as this results in the animal being refused entry.