What is an Export Health Certificates (EHC)?
An Export Health Certificate (EHC) is an official veterinary document required for pets travelling from Great Britain to countries outside the EU. It confirms that your dog or cat meets the specific import rules of your destination country — such as identification, vaccinations, parasite treatments, and any additional health requirements.
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Unlike an AHC (which follows a largely standard format for EU travel), EHC requirements vary by country, and some destinations have strict timelines, extra paperwork, or endorsement steps. We help you confirm exactly what’s needed for your route, so you can travel with confidence and avoid delays at the border.
Why Export Health Certificates are country-specific
Export Health Certificates aren’t “one-size-fits-all”. Every destination country sets its own import conditions, which means the exact requirements can vary significantly depending on where you’re travelling (and sometimes even your route or transit country).
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An EHC may involve some or all of the following:
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Microchip and identity checks
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Rabies vaccination requirements (including timing rules)
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Additional vaccines or parasite treatments
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Blood tests (where required)
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Import permits / pre-authorisations
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Extra paperwork or supporting evidence requested by the destination authority
This is why EHC travel is best planned well in advance, particularly for destinations with stricter entry rules.
How the EHC process works (our approach)
Step 1 — Share your travel details
Send us your destination country, travel date, and your pet’s details so we can confirm exactly what’s required.
Step 2 — We confirm the certificate and organise any extra requirements
For non-EU travel, the UK government issues specific EHC forms for each destination, and requirements can vary significantly between countries. At this stage, we will confirm the correct paperwork and talk you through any additional steps that may be needed, such as:
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specific timelines to meet
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parasite treatments or extra vaccinations
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supporting documents
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any destination-specific processes or endorsements
Everything is planned and organised in advance, so your final appointment is smooth and straightforward.
Step 3 — Appointment with an Official Veterinarian (OV)
Once everything is ready, we’ll arrange the certification appointment. Your pet’s microchip is scanned, documentation is checked, and the EHC is completed and signed by an OV.
Step 4 — Your paperwork travels with your pet
The completed certificate must travel with you and your pet for inspection on arrival, so it’s important everything is accurate and prepared correctly.