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Pet Transport UK to Taiwan: 2026 Process and Requirements

Moving a pet from the UK to Taiwan involves a BAPHIQ import permit applied for at least 60 days in advance and mandatory quarantine on arrival. The UK is classified as a Group 1 country by BAPHIQ, which means the standard quarantine period is 7 days. EVA Air …

Step by step

The United Kingdom to Taiwan import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
At least 60 days before travel. This is the longest lead-time step.
Apply for BAPHIQ import permit

Responsible: Owner or specialist agent. Application to BAPHIQ in Taiwan.

2
Before any vaccination
Confirm microchip is implanted and readable

Responsible: Vet

3
Vaccination must be current at time of travel
Confirm or administer rabies vaccination

Responsible: Vet

4
As soon as permit is approved. Quarantine spaces are limited.
Book BAPHIQ-approved quarantine facility in Taiwan

Responsible: Owner or agent. Liaise with BAPHIQ-approved facility.

5
Within 14 days of travel date
Obtain official veterinary health certificate from APHA-authorised OV

Responsible: APHA-authorised OV in the UK

6
On departure date. Quarantine begins on arrival.
Travel to Taiwan via EVA Air or China Airlines direct to Taipei

Responsible: Airline cargo

7
7 days for Group 1 (UK) origin pets
Quarantine at BAPHIQ-approved facility in Taiwan

Responsible: BAPHIQ-approved quarantine facility

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Taiwan

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip mandatory.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required.
Quarantine
Mandatory quarantine on arrival. UK is a Group 1 country: standard quarantine is …
Import permit
BAPHIQ (Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine) import …
Health certificate
Official veterinary health certificate issued within 14 days of travel. Must be …
Export permit
No UK export permit required for dogs and cats.
Costs

What this route typically costs

BAPHIQ import permit and associated fees: TWD 3,000 to TWD 8,000 …
Health certificate from APHA-authorised OV: £150 to £300
Cargo airline fee Heathrow to Taipei (direct): £700 to £2,500 …
Quarantine facility fees in Taiwan: TWD 8,000 to TWD 25,000 …
Pet transport agent fee: £400 to £1,000
IATA-compliant travel crate: £80 to £400
Total typical range: £1,700 to £5,200 all in

Critical points

The BAPHIQ import permit must be applied for at least 60 days before travel. This is the most time-sensitive step. Many owners start too late and miss their planned travel date.

Quarantine in Taiwan is mandatory for pets from all countries, including the UK. As a Group 1 country origin, the standard period for UK pets is 7 days.

Quarantine facility spaces in Taiwan are limited. Book your quarantine facility as soon as the import permit is approved.

BAPHIQ has a quarantine exemption programme for dogs from approved countries. The UK may qualify under specific circumstances. Check current BAPHIQ guidance: if your dog qualifies for the exemption programme, the quarantine period may be reduced or eliminated, but this requires advance application.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

EVA Air Cargo
Direct London Heathrow to Taipei Taoyuan (TPE). Main routing for UK to Taiwan pet cargo. …
Cargo Only
China Airlines Cargo
Direct Heathrow to TPE. Alternative direct routing.
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific Cargo
Via Hong Kong hub. Heathrow to HKG, then HKG to Taipei. Alternative routing if direct …
Cargo Only

The BAPHIQ permit: start here, 60 days out

The BAPHIQ import permit is the step that dictates the timeline for this entire move. The application must be submitted to BAPHIQ at least 60 days before your planned travel date, and the permit has a limited validity window. Missing this deadline means missing your travel date.

The permit application requires your pet’s microchip number, vaccination details, and owner information. A specialist agent in Taiwan or a UK-based agent with Taiwan experience can manage the BAPHIQ application on your behalf and track progress.

Once the permit is approved, book your quarantine facility immediately. BAPHIQ-approved quarantine facilities in Taiwan have limited capacity and spaces fill up. Leaving the facility booking until after the permit arrives can leave you without a confirmed quarantine place.

Quarantine in Taiwan: 7 days for UK pets

Taiwan imposes mandatory quarantine on all incoming pets. Countries are categorised into groups, and the quarantine duration depends on which group the origin country falls into. The UK is a Group 1 country, which gives UK pets the shortest standard quarantine period: 7 days.

Quarantine takes place at a BAPHIQ-approved facility. The facilities are purpose-built for animal care during the quarantine period, and most allow owners to visit or receive updates. The cost of the quarantine stay varies by facility.

BAPHIQ also operates a quarantine exemption programme. Under specific conditions, dogs from approved countries may qualify for a reduced or eliminated quarantine period. The eligibility criteria and application process for the exemption programme should be confirmed directly with BAPHIQ or your agent, as the programme’s terms can change.

Direct flights from Heathrow to Taipei

EVA Air and China Airlines both operate direct cargo services from London Heathrow to Taipei Taoyuan (TPE). For pet owners, a direct flight is preferable: it eliminates the complexity of a hub transfer and reduces total journey time.

EVA Air is widely regarded as one of the better carriers for live animal cargo. China Airlines is a solid alternative. Both have experience with the UK-Taiwan corridor. Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong is a fallback option if direct services are unavailable on your preferred dates.

FAQ

Common questions

Most BAPHIQ-approved quarantine facilities allow owner visits during the quarantine period, subject to facility rules and supervision. Confirm visiting policies with your chosen facility before travel. A local agent in Taiwan can help arrange visits and send updates. The 7-day quarantine period for UK pets is comparatively short.
BAPHIQ operates a programme that allows dogs from certain approved countries to be exempt from or have reduced quarantine, provided specific health documentation requirements are met (typically including titre test results and other certification). The UK may qualify, but eligibility depends on specific documentation and advance application. Check current BAPHIQ guidance directly or through your agent, as the programme’s terms and the list of qualifying countries can change.
Ten to sixteen weeks from starting the permit application to your pet being released from quarantine in Taiwan. The permit application (60 days lead time) is the longest single step. Once the permit is in place, the health certificate and cargo booking can be arranged relatively quickly. Quarantine adds 7 days after arrival.
Yes. The BAPHIQ import permit and quarantine requirements apply to both dogs and cats. Cats from the UK are also Group 1 country origin and face the same 7-day standard quarantine. The process and timeline are the same.
EVA Air does allow small pets in-cabin on some routes. However, on long-haul intercontinental routes such as London to Taipei, in-cabin pet travel is typically not available. Pets usually travel as cargo. Confirm with EVA Air or China Airlines when booking, as policies on specific routes can change.
Breed guides

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Move your pet to Taiwan.

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GB TWUnited Kingdom to Taiwan
International pet transport route
Lead time10-16 weeks
QuarantineNo
ComplexityMedium
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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