Guidance

Import of porcine animals - Import Information Note (IIN) PGTC/2

Updated 23 April 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/porcine-live-or-germinal-products-import-information-notes/import-of-porcine-animals-import-information-note-iin-pgtc2

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 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

Import conditions for domestic pigs (Sus scrofa).

Import conditions for porcine species other than domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) are provided for under ‘other live animals’ (Balai) – see IIN BLLV/3. 

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 live ungulates for:

Trading partners must have POR-X or POR-Y listed in column 4 of the above documents to be able to export pigs to Great Britain (GB), where:

  • ‘POR-X’: is for domestic porcine animals (Sus scrofa) intended for breeding and/or production after importation or intended for transit through GB from one third country to another third country

  • ‘POR-Y’: is for domestic porcine animals (Sus scrofa) intended for immediate slaughter after importation.

During the period after loading in the country of origin, consignments of live animals shall not be:  

  • transported together with live animals that are not intended for introduction into Great Britain or are of a lower health status
  • unloaded (or when transported by air, moved to another aircraft) in a third country, territory or part thereof that is not authorised for imports of the animals concerned into Great Britain
  • transported by road, by rail, or moved on foot through a third country, territory or part thereof that is not authorised for imports of the animals concerned into Great Britain

Certain countries may be required to provide supplementary guarantees, depending on the animal health situation in the territories of origin. Please also check the 5th and 6th columns of the above documents, where these supplementary guarantees are listed. 

4. Health certification 

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

5. Animals for breeding or production 

Unless they are being taken to slaughter, animals moving directly into GB should upon arrival at the place of destination satisfy the required residency requirements of 30 days before any further movement of the imported animals can take place.

Live animals imported from a third country will not trigger a standstill at the first premises in England and Wales that they are kept at (after the port or airport of entry itself, to which no standstill will apply either). Live animals imported into Scotland must follow the standstill rules.  

Animals imported for breeding or production from a country transiting an EU Member State should be transported as quickly as possible and be accompanied by the relevant transit and health certification. 

6. 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. 

You must notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of imports of porcine animals 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.

7. 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

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