Paris to London Pet Taxi: Avoiding Common Documentation Mistakes
A Real Experience with Our Pet Taxi Service Ensuring Smooth UK Entry
Transporting pets from the EU to the UK requires careful attention to documentation, especially since the UK is no longer part of the EU Pet Travel Scheme. One of the most common mistakes some pet owners make is using the wrong health certificate, which can cause travel delays, denied entry, or even losing the Eurotunnel ticket.
In this blog, we share a real-life experience from our pet taxi journey from Paris to London via Eurotunnel, highlighting the importance of correct paperwork for stress-free pet transport.
Our Pet Taxi Service Ensuring a Smooth Journey
While it is the pet owner’s responsibility to check and provide the correct documentation, we always do our best to review each pet’s travel documents when needed. This helps ensure a hassle-free entry into the UK.
Initial Contact and Document Review
A customer contacted us for pet transport from Paris to London for her dog, Sparkle. She Emailed us pictures of:
- A health certificate issued in the U.S.
- A tapeworm treatment record from France
Upon review, we noticed the health certificate was too blurry to read and the tapeworm treatment was correctly administered, but there was a timing issue — her planned arrival at the Eurotunnel Calais Pet Reception would exceed the 120-hour limit by 1 hour and 39 minutes.
We immediately informed the customer and offered two solutions:
- Adjust the pick-up time from 8 AM to 6 AM to meet the 120-hour treatment window.
- Re-administer the tapeworm treatment and wait 24 hours before traveling.
We also reassured her that, in case of any issues at the Eurotunnel, we would assist her in finding a solution—whether arranging transport back, locating a nearby vet, or helping with accommodation.
The customer chose to adjust the pick-up time to 6 AM, ensuring compliance.
Our driver travelled to Paris the day before and stayed overnight to ensure a timely 6 AM pick-up. Upon arrival at the pick-up location, we were greeted by Sparkle, a beautiful Shih Tzu, and her caring owner, who affectionately referred to Sparkle as her daughter. It was clear from the start how much love and attention Sparkle received.
With Sparkle comfortably settled in the car, we set off toward Calais, following the A1 and A26 motorways. After a three-hour drive, we continued on the A16 and took Exit 42 to reach the Eurotunnel Pet Reception.
Unexpected Issue at UK Customs: Wrong Health Certificate
Document Check at Eurotunnel Pet Reception
At the Eurotunnel Pet Reception, the UK border authorities refused Sparkle’s entry because her health certificate was valid for EU travel but not for Great Britain (GB).
They offered two options (€75 each) at a recommended vet nearby:
- Obtain a new health certificate valid for UK entry.
- Get a European Pet Passport for future EU-UK travel.
Choosing the European Pet Passport
The owner chose the European Pet Passport, which allowed for future trips without needing new certificates. However, pet owners should know that for non-EU pets, the passport mainly serves as a vaccination record and doesn’t replace the need for the correct health certificate when entering the EU.
We drove 30 minutes to the vet, where the process took another 30 minutes. The vet transferred Sparkle’s details into the pet blue passport, making her eligible for UK entry.
Understanding Health Certificate Requirements for UK Entry
Key Facts About the GB Health Certificate:
For non-EU pets traveling into the EU:
- Must be signed by an official vet in the country of departure
- Valid for 10 days for EU entry
- Remains valid for 4 months within the EU or until rabies vaccine expiry
Important: This certificate cannot be used for UK entry. A separate GB Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport is required.
Common Mistake: Assuming EU Acceptance Means UK Acceptance
Many pet owners — and even some vets — mistakenly assume an EU-accepted certificate works for the UK. It doesn’t.
For UK entry, the document must:
Ensure the document clearly states “Great Britain, Channel Islands & Isle of Man.”
Full pet details and vaccination history must also be included
Lastly, confirm that the tapeworm treatment timing is correct (24 to 120 hours before UK arrival).
Failure in any of these points can lead to denied entry.
For full details, visit the UK Government’s Pet Travel to England guide.
How to Avoid These Issues When Traveling with Pets to the UK
- Double-check your health certificate: Ensure it’s issued for Great Britain specifically.
- Verify tapeworm treatment timing: For dogs, it must be done 1–5 days before UK entry.
- Review all details: Microchip, vaccination, and treatment records must be correct and visible.
- Confirm with your vet: Some vets are unfamiliar with UK requirements.
- Plan extra time for border checks: Mistakes cause delays or denied entry.
For more details on pet requirements when travelling via Eurotunnel, visit their official checklist: Bringing your pet on LeShuttle – Animal Travel Checklist
Final Checks and Crossing the Channel
After fixing the paperwork, we returned to the Pet Reception, where Sparkle’s new documents were approved. We received a pet-on-board ticket, which must be displayed on the car’s mirror.
The Pet Reception check usually takes 5 to 10 minutes if paperwork is correct. Next, we moved on to French and UK border control, which took about 20 minutes.
DEFRA Inspection at UK Border
After passing through the Pet Reception, we proceeded to border control. The first check was carried out by French authorities, followed by British passport control. At the UK border, a DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) officer conducted a thorough inspection. The officer checked:
- Our DEFRA Type 2 Animal Transport Authorisation
- Vehicle compliance
- Sparkle’s travel documents
The officer also noted that Sparkle’s carrier was slightly small and recommended unzipping it for added comfort. However, the owner preferred to keep Sparkle inside. Once everything was in order, we were cleared to continue our journey.
Boarding the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle and Arrival in London
After a brief wait for the staff to load the cars, we drove into the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle and began the 35-minute journey from Calais to Folkestone. Upon arriving in the UK, our pet taxi continued to London.
Arrival and a Happy Ending
After two hours, we arrived at Sparkle’s new home. Both Sparkle and her owner were delighted. It was heart warming to see them settle in safely.
Important Reminder for Non-EU Pet Owners
If you’re traveling to the EU from a non-EU country, your pet must have:
- Microchip
- Rabies vaccination recorded without gaps
- Health certificate endorsed by authorities
For full information, visit the European Commission Pet Travel Guide.
Conclusion: Plan Ahead with a Reliable Pet Taxi Service
This journey was a valuable learning experience for Sparkle’s owner and serves as a helpful reminder for anyone traveling with pets to the UK.
By double-checking paperwork and understanding the rules, you can avoid last-minute issues, save time, and ensure an stress-free journey for you and your pet.
Need reliable pet taxi services or help with UK entry requirements? Learn more about our Pet Taxi Services here or contact us today for expert assistance.
A Happy Customer’s Feedback
After a smooth journey from Paris to London, Sparkle and her owner arrived safely at their new home. We always strive to provide the best experience for both pets and their owners, and we were delighted to receive this kind review along with a lovely photo they shared: Read the full review on our Google page here.
