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Export pet birds to the USA: certificate 4948

Apply online to export a consignment of fewer than 6 pet birds like cockatoos, budgies, canaries, macaws and parrots, excluding poultry, to USA.

From:
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published
30 November 2018
Last updated
7 May 2026 — See all updates
Destination country:
USA
Commodity type:
Live animals
Certificate status:
Active

Exporting from England, Scotland and Wales

If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales, you must apply for this export health certificate (EHC) using the online service.

If you’re in Northern Ireland, you must apply to DAERA.

1. Check what you need for your export

Find out about the requirements for export in the guidance notes

Download a specimen certificate Export pet birds to the USA: EHC 4948, version 7 and Schedule for additional information: 4948SCH.

You must submit a Postcode Schedule (Live Animals) V4 with your application.

This certificate must be countersigned by an APHA Veterinarian. Apply for this countersignature by downloading an ET145 document from Improve International

2. Apply online

You’ll need:

  • a Government Gateway account
  • a Defra account

If you don’t already have them you’ll need to register for these accounts, and so will your official vet or inspector.

Start now

Registration takes around 5 minutes. Official vets and inspectors will also need to have their registration checked by APHA.

Register and sign in as an official vet or inspector.

Read the accessibility statement for this service.

Applying online means you can:

  • see the status of your applications
  • always use the latest version of the EHC
  • copy existing applications

Exporting from Northern Ireland

If you’re in Northern Ireland, you no longer need to download this EHC. You will complete the EHC template as part of the DAERA online application process (DECS).

For more information, see the DECS Application User Guide

  1. Find out about the requirements for export in the guidance notes and Export pet birds to the USA: EHC 4948, version 7.

  2. Download and complete the Schedule for additional information: 4948SCH which you will upload as part of your application.

  3. Start your application.

Make sure you examine the latest version of the EHC and guidance notes as they are sometimes updated. The latest versions are on this page.

Help with your application

In England, Scotland and Wales, call APHA on 03000 200 301.

In Northern Ireland, call DAERA on 02877442060.

Find out about call charges.

Updates to this page

Published 30 November 2018
Last updated 7 May 2026 show all updates

  1. Postcode schedule has been updated to version 4

  2. Process for applying for EHC in Northern Ireland has changed

  3. Guidance notes updated

  4. The postcode schedule has been updated to version 3.

  5. Specimen certificate updated

  6. EHC now available via EHC Online

  7. A new version of 4948EHC has been released.

  8. A new version of the EHC has been released.

  9. A Postcode Schedule has been added to the application requirements.

  10. Guidance notes updated and application for APHA Veterinarian countersignature ET145 document added

  11. First published.

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