Do I need deworming stamp on my pet passport for UK to France travel?

We explain the rules for the treatment of tapeworms for dogs for cross-Channel trips

There are different requirements for entering France with your dog compared to entering the UK

Reader question: I have a pet passport (issued in France). I am planning to travel from the UK to France with my dog using this document. Do I need to get itstamped with worming or flea info before we go over?

It is not necessary to give your dog tapeworm treatment to enter France but it is necessary to get it before entering or returning to the UK from France.

Rules when travelling from the UK to France

To bring a pet into France from the UK, three requirements must be met.

  • The animal must be electronically chipped
  • It must have either an EU pet passport or an Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
  • It must have a valid rabies vaccination

Read more: Rabies shot for dogs: How often is it required for France-UK travel?

Rules when travelling from France to the UK

To enter the UK or return to the UK from France, your dog must also have been treated for tapeworm on top of the three requirements mentioned above.

This treatment must be done by a vet, who must record details of it on your pet passport or animal certificate every time you enter the UK.

The dog must be given the tapeworm treatment no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (five days) before you enter the UK.

If you are planning to stay in France for under five days before returning to the UK, you will need to get this treatment in the UK before you leave.

The UK government rules state that the treatment must be approved for use in the country it is being given in, and contain praziquantel or “an equivalent proven to be effective against the Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm”.

Its advice states that you should check your vet has added the following details to your pet passport or animal health certificate:

  • Name and manufacturer of the product
  • Date and time they treated your dog
  • Their stamp and signature

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