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What is the Difference Between Commercial and Non-Commercial?

Some countries categorize pet imports in different ways based on when the owner is traveling and/or the number of pets traveling.

When pets are traveling to the UK, Europe, and some parts of Asia, they can be considered either a Commercial or Non-Commercial import. There can be different rules and different health certificates required depending on the destination and transiting country. 

In general, when pets are entering the UK, Europe, or transiting in Europe, then a Commercial or Non-Commercial Health Certificate is required.

Non-Commercial Health Certificate

  • This is used if someone (owner, friend, family member, etc.) is traveling within 5 days before or after your pet
  • The USDA Accredited Vet must complete the following within 10 days prior to travel (we recommend doing this 7-8 days prior):
    1. Scan the microchip to ensure it is readable & consistent with their records
    2. Examine your pet to ensure they are "fit to fly"
    3. Complete/sign the correct Non-Commercial Health Certificate
    4. Complete/sign/stamp the APHIS 7001 Form (**Only if your pet is flying on British Airways or Aer Lingus)
    5. If your pet is flying on American Airlines, then additional paperwork will be required
    6. Send us a copy of the signed certificates for review
    7. Submit the documents to the USDA using FedEx or VEHCS

Your vet needs to call the USDA directly if they have any questions about submitting the paperwork.  You must include payment for the endorsement and a pre-paid Priority Overnight return FedEx label from the USDA back to you or your vet when submitting the documents. The USDA fee is typically $38 per certificate.

Tapeworm Treatment (Dogs Only who are traveling to UK, Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway)

If you have a dog, you will need to make a second vet appointment 1-2 days prior to your dog's departure date.  A USDA Accredited Vet will need to:

  1. Scan the microchip to ensure it is readable & consistent with their records
  2. Administer a tapeworm treatment containing Praziquantel
  3. Report the date, time, product used & vet details on the Health Certificate
  4. Send us a copy of the final endorsed documents with tapeworm treatment on it
  5. Hand all original documents back to you for your pet's travels
  • The tapeworm treatment usually takes about 10-15 minutes and is simply a pill or a shot that will be given by the vet.
  • If the health certificate is due to arrive after the tapeworm appointment is scheduled, a separate form can be provided for the vet to record the treatment. This form also does not require endorsement, and will be considered valid as long as it accompanies the endorsed health certificate.

Commercial Health Certificate

  • This is used if you have 6 pets or more, are traveling more than 5 days before or after your pet, or if no one is traveling around the same time as the pet.
  • The USDA Accredited Vet must complete the following 2 days prior to travel:
    1. Scan the microchip to ensure it is readable & consistent with their records
    2. Examine your pet to ensure they are "fit to fly"
    3. Administer a tapeworm treatment containing Praziquantel (dogs only)
    4. Complete/sign the correct Commercial Health Certificate
    5. Complete/sign/stamp the APHIS 7001 Form (**Only if your pet is flying on British Airways or Aer Lingus)
    6. If your pet is flying on American Airlines, then additional paperwork will be required
    7. Send us a copy of the signed certificates for review
    8. Submit the documents to the USDA using FedEx or VEHCS

The USDA will need the following documents in order to complete the endorsement:

  • Correctly filled out Health Certificate
  • Copy of the signed Rabies Vaccination Certificate
  • Copy of the proof of microchip implant date (letter from your vet or invoice showing the date the chip was implanted or scanned - must be dated BEFORE or the same day as the current Rabies vaccination)
  • Prepaid return FedEx Overnight label addressed from the USDA back to you or your vet
  • Payment for the endorsement - please contact the USDA directly for cost & payment options

The tapeworm treatment can only be done between 24-120 hours prior to your dog's ARRIVAL to the UK, Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway.  It MUST be done in the office by a USDA Accredited Vet - it CANNOT be done by you at home.

Please remember:

  • The microchip MUST be implanted BEFORE the Rabies vaccination.  Customs will not accept any Rabies vaccinations administered before a microchip is implanted.
  • EU Countries, the UK and Ireland will NOT accept a Rabies vaccination that is more than 1 year old at the time of arrival.  The only exception to this is if you can show all previous Rabies vaccinations (after the microchip) with no lapse as per the manufacturer guidelines.
  • If the microchip is not readable and the rabies vaccination is not valid, then your pet may be quarantined upon arrival.  You will be responsible for quarantine arrangements & costs.

You can contact your local USDA office directly if you have any questions about the health certificate.

We do NOT recommend your pet travels over the weekend as it can be difficult to sort out issues with vets/customs should a problem arise.  Additionally, weekend pet arrivals into London (LHR) and some other European airports are NOT allowed.