International exhibitors’ guidance

1. Minimise the length of the journey as much as possible
2. If using commercial carriers during the journey make sure you know their terms and conditions and are able to comply
3. Take forecast weather into consideration and adapt your times of travel to avoid travelling when the weather is particularly hot or cold
4. Make sure the route you take enables you to give your dog plenty of toilet, water and food breaks out of the vehicle
5. If you are bringing your dog into GB from another country ensure you have all import documentation required. 

WELFARE IN TRANSPORT

The rules concerning the commercial transportation of dogs are set out in assimilated Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 (The Regulation), on the protection of animals during transport and related operations, which is implemented in England by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 (“WATEO”) and parallel legislation in Scotland and Wales. Assimilated Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 aims to protect the welfare of animals during transportation and applies to dogs transported in connection with an economic activity on journeys over 65km.
However, under WATEO and the other implementing legislation there are some general provisions for the protection of dogs that are being transported by their owners as pets.

When you transport dogs, you must:

• Plan the journey properly and keep it as short as possible, including having contingency plans to deal with emergencies or delays.
• Ensure they are fit to travel on the intended journey.
  Check them during the journey to make sure you meet their needs for water, feed, and rest and toilet breaks.
• Consider the weather conditions and adapt travel times to avoid travelling when the weather is particularly hot or cold
• Design, construct and maintain the vehicle/containers/crates and loading and unloading facilities to avoid injury and suffering.
• Containers and crates must be of suitable size for the dog and allow it to stand in a natural position.
• Ensure you dog has been able to familiarise itself with its crate prior to transport to reduce stress
• Containers/crates should be secured, and unable to move during transport.
• Ventilation to containers/crate should not be impeded by other luggage in the vehicle

Make sure anyone handling them is trained or competent in the task and does not use violent practices and/or unnecessary force including any methods likely to cause unnecessary fear, injury, or suffering.
Anyone who transports a dog as part of an economic activity (e.g. is paid to transport) by air, sea, rail, or road in Great Britain (GB - England, Scotland, and Wales) must have a Transporter Authorisation. This also includes anyone paid to transport dogs under the Pet Travel Rules. The Transporter Authorisation must have been issued by the relevant competent authority in either GB, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.
Further details on Transporter Authorisation, including how to obtain Transporter Authorisation and vehicle approval certificates, as well as the Pet Travel Rules, can be found at the end of this guidance.

ENTERING GREAT BRITAIN FROM AN EU MEMBER STATE

To bring your dog to Crufts from an EU Member state, you require:

A valid rabies vaccination.

• Dogs must be vaccinated in accordance with the vaccine manufacturer’s instructions. Some vaccines require more than one dose (e.g.; Canvac R.)
• Check what vaccine has been used, as your dog may not be eligible to enter GB if a second dose is required.
• Ensure your dog’s rabies vaccination remains valid for the duration of your stay in GB, including your return journey.

A readable microchip

A valid Pet Passport, or a Great Britain pet health certificate

• You must bring the originals of all your dog’s documents, not photocopies, and these should confirm that the details have been entered correctly by the issuing vet.

a valid tapeworm treatment, recorded in your official document and administered by a vet in the country you are traveling from, between 1 to 5 days (24 hours – 120 hours) before arriving in GB.

• N.B. This treatment is not required if you are coming directly from, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway.

ENTERING GREAT BRITAIN FROM A NON-EU MEMBER STATE

For countries outside of the EU there are different rules and documents required for entry into Great Britain, Check gov.uk for further information.
Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You must follow extra rules (known as Balai rules) if any of the following apply:

• You intend to sell, rehome or transfer the ownership of your pet.
• Your pet is arriving more than 5 days before or after you arrive.

WHO TO CONTACT

For any additional advice and guidance, please contact:

Welfare in Transport Team
The Animal & Plant Health Agency
Centre for International Trade
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street, Carlisle
CA3 8DX
Phone: +44 (0) 3000 200 301
E-mail: WIT@apha.gov.uk

Import Team
The Animal & Plant Health Agency
Centre for International Trade
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street, Carlisle
CA3 8DX
Phone: +44 (0) 3000 200 301
E-mail: imports@apha.gov.uk 

Further guidance can be found on Gov.uk:

• Animal welfare in transport - GOV.UK
• Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad: Travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland - GOV.UK
• Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain: What you need to do - GOV.UK
• Pet travel: approved air, sea and rail carriers and routes - GOV.UK
• Commercial import of dogs, cats and ferrets - Import Information Note (IIN) BLLV/5b - GOV.UK
• Travel with assistance dogs: transport companies and routes - GOV.UK
• Animal welfare | Sub-topic | GOV.WALES
• Animal welfare - Animal health and welfare - gov.scot

1. Your dog should be fit and healthy enough to undertake the intended journey
2. Your dog will travel better if it does not have a full stomach – provide only a light meal about 2 hours before the journey starts
3. We would not recommend sedating your dog before transport - If you do give your pet a sedative you should carry a certificate which states the drug, dosage, and the date and time it was given.
4. Containers used must be of a suitable size for your dog. The dog must be able to stand naturally without any impediment, lie down and turn around within the container.
5. Ensure your dog has had the opportunity to become familiar with any transport container you intend to use to minimise stress.
6. Make sure you give your dog opportunity to toilet before transport commences

1. Make sure containers are safely positioned and secure
   - Cannot move when you accelerate, brake or go round corners
   -Are easy to get to so you can check your pet and get it out of the vehicle as necessary
   -Are not exposed to strong sunlight or drafts
2. Ventilation around containers must be maximised – avoid loading any other luggage around at least 3 sides of the container
3. Do not place any heavy luggage on the container
4. Make sure you are carrying enough water, and food if necessary
5. Regularly check your pet during the journey, offer water frequently and provide toilet and exercise breaks in safe places.

Attention all Crufts overseas competing dogs – information regarding paperwork required for returning home

It is the exhibitors responsibility to ensure that any dog entered into Crufts has got the necessary travel documentation and health preparations. The Kennel Club has provided the following information as guidance to assist exhibitors attending Crufts from overseas, ensuring a smooth return home after the event. Please take a  moment to read the following information and please note that this is not a definitive list of what must be done. This is to be used as a guide only, exhibitors should still contact their own authority for exact details on what they need to do to ensure a smooth journey for their dog and themselves:

Dogs from the European Union

Dogs which have entered the UK with a valid EU issued Pet Passport can return with the same document.

Dogs from;

Norway

Finland

Ireland

Northern Ireland

Malta

the above listed countries will require the veterinary administration of a dewormer 24-120 hours before their anticipated arrival back in the above stated countries. Appointments available at the show veterinary centre in Hall 2 between the hours of 3pm and 5pm each day– fee in cash will apply.

Dogs from the USA

Those dogs that have arrived via the EU

Those dogs which have arrived in the EU and then travelled on to the UK will need an AHC (Animal Health Certificate) to get back to the EU, for their connecting flight home to the USA. They should also for their return have personally completed the US CDC import requirement and might require pre Defra requested plus issued paperwork as well.

Dogs that have travelled direct from the USA into the UK

Those dogs which have travelled directly into the UK from the USA will personally have to complete the US CDC import requirement and might require return pre Defra requested plus issued paperwork as well. We recommend you check the Defra website regarding the requirement for pre Defra requested issued paperwork.  

 Dogs from non EU /non USA countries

• Dogs which have travelled directly from further afield will require a Defra issued. EHC (Export Health Certificate) that the owner has to personally pre apply to Defra for in order to return to their country of origin.
• If travelling via the EU they will also require an AHC as well as the above mentioned EHC .

What can be supplied by the Crufts Veterinary team?

The issue of an AHC plus the completion of the Defra pre requested, issued plus delivered EHC at Crufts is only possible with pre submitted support documentation written in English along with the following:

• a valid microchip certificate
• valid rabies vaccination document
• possible post rabies vaccination blood sampling certificate for dogs travelling to non EU/ non USA countries

If you need an appointment to arrange travel documentation this needs to be booked well in advance and by 10 February 2025 (with all support documentation being pre emailed in pdf format ).  Please email cruftsmailbox@thekennelclub.org.uk to request an appointment.

Please note:

This information is for guidance only, it is the exhibitor’s responsibility to check which documents are required to travel with their dog back to their home country.

For further travel information and bookings please contact: cruftsmailbox@thekennelclub.org.uk.