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Guidance

Bristles, feathers, fur, hair and wool - Import Information Notes

Guidance for vets, importers and border control officials when importing bristles, feathers, fur, hair and wool to Great Britain.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published:
2 December 2024
Last updated:
10 October 2025
Show all updates

  1. Updated INN ABP/23A (Import of untreated wool and hair) to clarify that imports of this commodity are permitted from third countries listed in the annexes to the safeguard measures. Imports must be accompanied by the relevant documentation specified in this IIN and in the safeguard declarations.

  2. Updated INN ABP/23A (Import of untreated wool and hair): EU traders can now choose to use importer declarations for these products. From 1 September 2025, Port Health Authorities (PHAs) will accept digitally signed importer declaration (e-signature) from both EU and non-EU countries.

  3. For wool and hair as per section 3b, imports to GB must be accompanied by an importers’ declaration that conforms to the model found on GOV.UK, and which is signed by the importer. Imports from EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries do not currently need to be accompanied by an importer declaration. However, the consignment must be accompanied by a commercial document.

  4. First published.

Documents

Import of untreated pig bristles from an African swine fever free country - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/7A

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Import of treated pig bristles - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/7B

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Import of treated feathers, parts of feathers and down - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/22B

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Import of untreated wool and hair - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/23A

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Import of treated wool, hair and fur - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/23B

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