Live animals and germinal products: risk categories for imports from the EU to GB
Updated 26 March 2025
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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Live animals and germinal products imported from the EU are categorised as high risk under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).
Inspection rates listed in the table are for both identity (ID) checks and physical checks, unless otherwise specified. Imports are also subject to documentary checks. As standard, commodities categorised as high or medium risk are subject to 100% documentary checks. Low risk commodities are not subject to routine documentary checks.
Commodities may be moved into higher or lower BTOM risk categories to reflect changing levels of risk.
This page includes:
- live animals and their germinal products (semen, ova and embryos)
- live fish and animals for ornamental, aquaculture and re-stocking purposes
- bees
Read more about importing live animals and germinal products from the EU to Great Britain.
Read separate risk categories guidance for imports from the EU of:
1. Live animals and germinal products
| Commodity | BTOM risk category | Inspection rate | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live animals, including some live aquatic animals (see note 1) | High | 100%* | *Live animals imported or transiting from the EU currently do not need to enter Great Britain (GB) through a border control post (BCP). The animals can enter (and exit for transits) GB through any port and do not need to report for physical inspection. Live animals imported from the EU must remain at their final destination in GB for at least 48 hours in case checks at destination are required. |
| Bees | High | 100% | None |
| Germinal products, including hatching eggs | High | 100% | None |
Note 1
Live aquatic animals
Live aquatic animals include live fish and animals for ornamental, aquaculture and re-stocking purposes, and their germinal products.
Live aquatic animals imported for human consumption (for example, crabs, lobsters or live bivalve molluscs) are categorised as products of animal origin.
Live fish are categorised as live animals and the categorisations in this table apply.
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