Import Licence Conditions - For pets which qualify for the Pets Travel Scheme

Pets that can travel under the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS) must meet specific licence conditions when they travel to Northern Ireland.

Import licence conditions for pets qualifying for the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS)

This licence may be cancelled at any time.
This licence must accompany the animal(s) and be surrendered to a Department of Agriculture Imports Inspector at the port/airport of landing in Northern Ireland.
Hay, straw or peat moss must not accompany the animal(s) to Northern Ireland.
The animal(s) must be landed on or before the date specified in the licence at a port/airport approved by the Department.
No animal may be removed from the port/airport of landing until checked by an Imports Inspector.
The imported animal(s) should be:-

separately confined during the journey and until arrival at the place of destination in a suitable hamper, crate, box or other receptacle which must be escape-proof and to which no dog, cat or other animal shall have access;
if travelling by air, transported as manifested freight in the freight compartment of the aircraft.
conveyed in a separate aircraft to that transporting native animals* from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. If such conveyance is not possible the imported animal(s) must travel in a completely separate hold of the aircraft to that being used for transportation of native animals.
conveyed direct to the quarantine premises by the authorised carrier and accompanied by this licence to the place of detention where arrangements have previously been made by the importer for the isolation of the animal(s) during the quarantine period.
Subject to paragraphs (7) and (8), quarantined for a period of not less than 6 months and vaccinated against rabies, at the owners expense, on such number of occasions and at such intervals as may be required by the Department.

Where an animal is imported to Northern Ireland either directly from a country which is approved under the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Pet Travel Scheme or from such an approved country via Scotland, Wales or the Channel Islands and otherwise meets the conditions of the Pet Travel Scheme it shall be conveyed directly to the quarantine premises and shall remain in quarantine until the Department :-

confirms that all other conditions of the Pet Travel Scheme have been met,
and issues a notice authorising the release of the animal from quarantine subject to, and in accordance with, any conditions set out in the notice.

The artificial insemination or natural service of any bitch isolated in the place of detention or of a bitch from any dog isolated in the place of detention is prohibited.
The person in charge of the imported animal(s) at the time of landing must on request by an officer of Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise, an officer of the Department or a police constable produce this licence authorising the importation of the animal(s).
The carcase of any animal dying in transit shall, on landing in Northern Ireland become the property of the Department of Agriculture which shall carry out such tests as may be deemed necessary and thereafter dispose of the carcase.

* Native animal means an animal which has not been outside the British Isles within the previous 6 months prior to shipment.