Collection

Guidance on importing live animals or animal products

Collection of guidance for importing live animals and animal products.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Published: 23 November 2022
• Last updated: 16 February 2023 — 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.

Pet dogs, cats and ferrets

Read guidance if you’re:

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

Exporting

Read guidance on exporting live animals or animal products.

Topical issues

Current issues relating to imports and exports of animals and animal products.

• Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues
  • 29 March 2023
  • Guidance

Welfare of animals in transport

• Animal welfare
  • 25 January 2023
  • Guidance

Import under Balai rules

Balai rules apply to a group of animals not covered by other legislation.

• Import live animals and germinal products to Great Britain under Balai rules
  • 29 October 2022
  • Guidance
• Balai Directive: approved premises
  • 24 March 2023
  • Guidance

Food, drink and composite products

• Import composite products from the EU to Great Britain
  • 23 November 2022
  • Guidance
• Import food and drink from the EU to Great Britain
  • 1 July 2022
  • Guidance
• Import eggs to Great Britain
  • 16 February 2023
  • Guidance

Live animals, cattle or high-risk food and feed

• 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
• Register cattle imported or moved into England or Wales
  • 6 February 2023
  • Guidance

Endangered species

• Import or export endangered species: check if you need a CITES permit
  • 20 May 2022
  • Guidance
• Apply for CITES permits and certificates to move or trade endangered species
  • 1 July 2022
  • Guidance

Licences

Use these licences to import live animals or animal products.

• Importing non-native animals
  • 31 December 2020
  • Guidance
• General licences and authorisations to import live animals or animal products
  • 9 March 2023
  • Guidance
• Import animal pathogens or carriers to Great Britain
  • 26 March 2021
  • Guidance

Published 23 November 2022
Last updated 16 February 2023 + show all updates

1. 16 February 2023

   Added 'Import eggs to Great Britain' guide.

2. 23 November 2022

   First published.