Collection

Guidance on importing and exporting live animals or animal products

Collection of guidance and forms for importing, exporting and moving live animals and animal products.

• From: Animal and Plant Health Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 12 September 2014
• Last updated: 6 June 2022 — See all updates

The government has introduced new legislation to make changes to how the Northern Ireland Protocol will apply. You should continue to use the guidance below for now. It will be updated in due course, giving you time to prepare for any new requirements.

Guidance

This collection of guidance covers importing, exporting and moving live animals and animal products.

There is different guidance if you’re:

• taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad
• bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain

Topical issues

• Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues
  • 10 August 2022
  • Guidance

Imports or moves to the UK from all countries

• Import composite products from the EU to Great Britain
  • 1 July 2022
  • Guidance
• Import food and drink from the EU to Great Britain
  • 1 July 2022
  • Guidance
• Import live animals and germinal products from the EU to Great Britain
  • 25 July 2022
  • Guidance
• Importing live animals, animal products and high-risk food and feed not of animal origin from non-EU countries to Great Britain
  • 14 September 2021
  • Guidance
• General licences and authorisations to import live animals or animal products
  • 12 July 2022
  • Guidance
• Animal pathogens and products: import licence application
  • 31 December 2020
  • Form
• Live animals (not pet dogs, cats, ferrets): import licence application
  • 25 June 2018
  • Form
• Register cattle imported or moved into England or Wales
  • 4 October 2021
  • Guidance

Exports or moves from the UK to all countries

• Get an export health certificate
  • 8 June 2021
  • Guidance
• Export or move live animals
  • 21 July 2022
  • Guidance
• Export or move livestock and poultry
  • 14 June 2022
  • Guidance
• Export or move animal bones, protein and other by-products
  • 13 June 2022
  • Guidance
• Export or move animal germplasm (semen, ova and embryos)
  • 13 June 2022
  • Guidance
• Export or move animal feed or pet food
  • 6 January 2021
  • Guidance
• Export or move food, drink and agricultural products
  • 14 June 2022
  • Guidance
• Export or move composite food products
  • 14 June 2022
  • Guidance
• Exporting or moving fish from the UK
  • 10 September 2021
  • Guidance
• Export ungulates and captive-bred birds from Great Britain to the EU
  • 17 December 2021
  • Guidance
• Report cattle exported or moved out of England or Wales
  • 4 October 2021
  • Guidance

Moving goods or animals between EU countries

• Assembly centre for exports to EU member states: application
  • 31 December 2020
  • Form
• Dealer’s premises to export sheep and goats to EU member states: application form
  • 31 December 2020
  • Form

Balai rules

• Import live animals and germinal products to Great Britain under Balai rules
  • 1 July 2022
  • Guidance
• Balai Directive: approved premises
  • 15 August 2022
  • Guidance
• Balai Directive: registration of premises to export animals
  • 19 May 2021
  • Form
• Balai Directive: application to import and export live animals
  • 31 December 2020
  • Form

Endangered species

• Import or export endangered species: check if you need a CITES permit
  • 20 May 2022
  • Guidance
• Endangered species: apply for an import and export permit
  • 6 June 2022
  • Form

Non-native animals

• Importing non-native animals
  • 31 December 2020
  • Guidance

Poultry Health Scheme

• Poultry Health Scheme: how to register
  • 19 August 2021
  • Guidance
• Poultry Health Scheme: list of members
  • 9 August 2022
  • Guidance

Animal pathogens

• Import animal pathogens or carriers to Great Britain
  • 26 March 2021
  • Guidance

Artificial breeding controls

• Bovine and boar semen collection and breeding: licence application
  • 29 June 2021
  • Form

Welfare of animals in transport

• Animal welfare
  • 10 August 2022
  • Guidance
• Journey logs
  • 31 December 2020
  • Form
• Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 2006: inspection application
  • 8 January 2019
  • Form

Identifying livestock, including identifying for export

• Get new or replacement official ear tags for cattle
  • 4 October 2021
  • Guidance
• Pig keepers: identify animals before moving them
  • 31 December 2020
  • Guidance
• Sheep and goat keepers: how to identify your animals
  • 28 March 2022
  • Guidance

Published 12 September 2014
Last updated 6 June 2022 + show all updates

1. 6 June 2022

   Removed coronavirus (COVID-19) statement relating to email applications.

2. 16 June 2021

   Added links to importing composites and importing products of animal origin guides.

3. 12 January 2021

   Added new group with content on identifying livestock, including for export.

4. 23 March 2020

   Added coronavirus statement on sending applications by email.

5. 21 February 2019

   Added guidance on importing and exporting after the UK leaves the EU

6. 16 December 2015

   Removed message on flooding at Carlisle

7. 1 October 2015

   Added link to new guidance on importing non-native animals

8. 24 March 2015

   Added links to new guides on general imports licences and authorisations, and topical issues.

9. 12 September 2014

   First published.