Guidance

Import of captive birds - Import Information Note (IIN) CBTC/2

Updated 19 June 2026

1. General information

This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of live animals and germplasm, which provides information on pre-notifications, veterinary checks, risk categories, welfare during transport and more. 

References to European Union (EU) legislation within this document are references to direct EU legislation which has been assimilated in Great Britain (assimilated direct legislation), as defined in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and can be viewed on the United Kingdom (UK) legislation website.

2. Scope 

These notes explain the conditions which apply to imports of captive birds into Great Britain (GB). The rules for importing certain birds are laid down in Regulation (EU) 139/2013. This Regulation applies to all birds apart from: 

• birds defined as poultry in Regulation (EC) 798/2008. For guidance on importing live poultry see IIN PTTC/2
• birds intended for approved conservation programmes
• “pet birds” (for guidance on importing pet birds see IIN PBTC/2)
• birds intended for zoos, circuses, amusement parks or experiments.
• birds destined for bodies, institutes or centres approved according to the Balai regime.
• racing pigeons introduced into GB from a neighbouring country where they are normally resident, which are immediately released with the expectation that they will fly back to that country (pigeon racing)
• avian influenza vaccinated captive birds, which have separate conditions. Queries on these imports should be directed to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Centre for International Trade - Carlisle (CITC).

3. Country of origin 

Imports are permitted from trading partners listed in documents published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers. See the documents for captive birds for:

• non-EU countries
• EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries

Imports of captive birds are permitted from: 

• countries or parts thereof listed in the poultry and poultry products document at the above links, where column 4 of that table provides for a model veterinary certificate for breeding or productive poultry (BPP) other than ratites.
• Argentina
• Philippines: National Capital Region

4. Premises of origin  

Captive birds must come from approved breeding premises which complies with conditions set out in article 4 of Regulation (EU) 139/2013 and must have been kept in the premises of origin for at least 21 days before export or since hatching.

5. Pre-export testing 

Captive birds imported to GB must be subjected to laboratory virus detection test 7 to 14 days prior to export, with negative results for any avian influenza (AI) or Newcastle disease (ND) virus in accordance with retained Regulation 139/2013. The birds must not have been vaccinated against avian influenza. 

All tests to be carried out in accordance with the relevant chapters of the Manual of Diagnostic tests and vaccines for Terrestrial Animals of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH - formerly OIE) (including virus isolation and RTPCR).

Pre-export testing for avian influenza and Newcastle disease for imports of captive birds from non-EU/EFTA countries must be carried out at a WOAH reference laboratory for avian influenza and Newcastle disease. Pre-export testing for avian influenza and Newcastle disease for imports of captive birds from EU/EFTA countries can be carried out at a laboratory approved for the diagnosis of those diseases by the competent authority of the exporting country. Samples can be pooled, subject to a maximum of five samples from individual birds in each pool.  

Where large groups (over 60 captive birds) are imported as a single consignment, pre-export testing for avian influenza and Newcastle disease can be limited to 60 samples per epidemiological group. An epidemiological group is defined as ‘a group of animals with the same likelihood of exposure to a pathogenic agent’. The application of this requirement to large consignments should be discussed with the certifying veterinarian, who must assess epidemiological grouping and sampling requirements for each consignment.

6. Health certification

Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate for birds (live).

7. Identification and requirements for transport 

In accordance with Article 66(2) of Regulation (EC) 865/2006 all birds must be identified with an individual identification number by means of a uniquely marked seamlessly closed leg-ring or a microchip.

Identification (ID) numbers of leg-rings or microchips must bear at least the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) code of the exporting country performing the identification and a unique serial number (Article 5 (h) Regulation (EU) No 139/2013). The ID number must be registered on the accompanying health certificate, as well as on the outside of the container that the birds are being transported in. 

All birds must be transported in new containers which must bear the unique ID number that corresponds with the ID number provided on the accompanying health certificate.

8. Post-import requirements

Captive birds imported into GB from an approved country must complete a minimum of 30 days quarantine in an approved quarantine facility or centre in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 139/2013. Imported birds from non-EU countries  shall be transported directly from the Border Control Post (BCP) of entry in GB to an approved quarantine facility or centre.

The total journey time to an approved quarantine facility or centre must not normally exceed 9 hours. When vehicles are used for this journey, they shall be sealed by the competent authorities with a tamper proof seal.

An APHA veterinarian will inspect the birds during the quarantine period. This will always include an inspection on arrival, at least one unannounced inspection, and a pre-release inspection at the end of the quarantine period.

Where sentinel birds are used, a pre-import visit will be required to inspect the sentinel birds prior to the commencement of the quarantine period. Sampling will then be carried out on the sentinel birds between days 21-27 of the quarantine period.

Where sentinel birds are not used, sampling for disease testing will be carried out on the imported birds between days 7-15 of the quarantine period.

Additional inspections and sampling may also be required, for example where the official APHA veterinarian considers it necessary due to the current disease situation.  

All costs will be met by the importer.

9. Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man 

Existing controls continue to apply, and therefore these movements must be in accordance with the General Licence. Consignments must comply with the conditions in the licence which may require it to be accompanied by a health certificate. 

Captive or pet birds from Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2017/02) (PDF, 550 KB, 4 pages).

You must notify APHA of imports of captive birds from Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. See the IIN for general information for imports of live animals and germplasm for more information regarding pre-notification.

10. Contact for further information 

For more information about import requirements, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) imports team:

Centre for International Trade - Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX

Email: imports@apha.gov.uk

Telephone: 03000 200 301