Skip to main content

Export qualifying equines from the United Kingdom to the USA: certificate 8959

Apply online to export qualifying equines from the United Kingdom to the USA.

Updates to this page

From:
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published:
30 September 2026
Last updated:
2 October 2026
Show all updates

  1. Guidance notes updated

  2. A new supplementary page 8959SUP added

  3. First published.

Destination country:
USA
Commodity type:
Equine
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 qualifying equines from the United Kingdom to the USA: EHC 8959, version 1 and Supplementary page: 8959SUP, version 1.

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

  • apply for multiple certificates

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, Export qualifying equines from the United Kingdom to the USA: EHC 8959, version 1 and Supplementary page: 8959SUP, version 1.

  2. 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.

Contents