Guidance
Register to export captive birds to the EU or Northern Ireland
Check how to add identifiers and register your captive birds when exporting to the EU or Northern Ireland.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Captive birds must be fitted with either:
- a marked closed-ring
- an injectable transponder (known as ‘microchips’) from an approved manufacturer or supplier
These must have a unique 15-digit identification number that starts with a country code prefix that meets ISO 3166 standard.
Marked closed-rings usually have the prefix ‘GB’.
Microchips must use the prefix ‘826’ for birds coming from the UK.
Register your birds
If you own a captive bird that has been injected with an ‘826’ transponder, you must register your bird with Defra:
- before export
- after a change in ownership
To register a bird with Defra or get more information, email: GBEUCaptiveBirds@defra.gov.uk
Exporting captive birds
You must also follow the rules for exporting and moving:
Updates to this page
Published 26 February 2025