International trade: exports of animals, animal products and germplasm to non-EU countries - before you export
Before you export
Taking animals or animal products to countries outside the EU requires careful preparation, especially in the case of live animals and birds. As well as Export Health Certificates, there are a number of other rules and procedures which need to be considered when exporting animals and animal products.
Here are some of the things you should do before you export:
- Check availability of suitable Export Health Certificate
- Contact your local Animal Health Divisional Office
- Get import conditions from the destination country
- Discuss your export with your veterinarian
- Confirm animal movement licence requirements
- Confirm animal welfare requirements
- Confirm CITES requirements
- Confirm marketing rules
- Confirm the requirements of the ferry or airline company
- Confirm HM Revenue and Customs procedures
- Confirm UK rules if you intend to return
Check availability of suitable export health certificate
(140 KB)Our Export Health Certificates question and answer page contains more information, including how to apply and what to do if a suitable certificate is not available.
Contact your local Animal Health Divisional Office
Your local Animal Health Divisional Office (AHDO) is a valuable source of advice and information and we recommend that you make contact with them as soon as you can. They will also be able to provide you with a specimen Export Health Certificate so that you can ensure that it meets the import conditions of the destination country and that it can be signed in respect of your particular consignment.
The network of 24 AHDOs spans the whole of Great Britain and allows Animal Health to fulfil its role as the Government’s delivery agent for animal health and welfare in England, Scotland and Wales.
Get import conditions from the destination country
We strongly advise that you contact the veterinary authorities in the destination country to establish what their import requirements are for the animals or products you are planning to export.
It is common for import conditions to include a number of requirements which need to be complied with well in advance of your intended departure date, so you should get hold of these as soon as possible. You may also need to apply to the veterinary authorities to obtain a specific permission via an import permit or licence.
Some possible requirements include quarantine periods, laboratory testing, veterinary treatments or vaccinations, extra veterinary supervision, specific identification of the consignment (e.g. microchip, ear tag, labelling), and production, processing or storage requirements. These requirements may be reflected in our Export Health Certificate. If you have obtained a specimen copy of our Export Health Certificate from your AHDO, you could show this to the importing authorities before you export to ensure that they will accept it.
If you are having difficulties contacting the appropriate veterinary authorities then you may be able to get help from British and foreign embassies.
Discuss your export with your veterinarian
We recommend that you talk to your usual veterinarian or to the Official Veterinarian who will be signing your Export Health Certificate to discuss your export. This will help you to understand what you need to do to ensure that your animals or products will meet the requirements of the Export Health Certificate. More information regarding Official Veterinarians is available on our Export Health Certificates question and answer page.
Confirm animal movement licence requirements
If you are planning on exporting livestock, you may need to apply for movement licences beforehand. More information on domestic livestock movements is available.
Confirm animal welfare requirements
If you are going to export live animals, you will need to consider the welfare of the animals during their journey. In some cases you may need to apply for specific documents, such as a route plan or a horse export licence, or you may need to get your vehicle authorised to carry live animals. You may also need to arrange for breaks in your journey to allow your animals enough food, water and rest. Defra’s Animal Welfare pages contain more information on this topic.
Confirm CITES requirements
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) lays down rules to protect certain species of animals and birds. Depending on the animals, birds or products you wish to export, you may need to apply for a CITES licence.
Confirm marketing rules
If you intend to export animals or animal products to be marketed for sale in the destination country, you may need to apply for specific permission from the relevant commercial authorities. British and foreign embassies can often provide guidance on these matters.
Confirm the requirements of the ferry or airline company
As well as having to comply with the legislation of the importing country, you may also need to comply with the commercial rules of the ferry or airline company who will be transporting your animals or products overseas. We suggest that you discuss your plans with the transport company to confirm that they will be willing to take your consignment and, if so, whether they require any additional paperwork.
Confirm HM Revenue and Customs procedures
You may need to follow certain procedures in relation to HM Revenue
and Customs. More information and advice for exporters is available on
the HM
Revenue and Customs website.
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Confirm UK rules if you intend to return
If, for example, you are going abroad on holiday and wish to return to the UK with your animals or with some animal products you will need to ensure that you comply with the UK’s import requirements. More information on importing animals and animal products into England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales is available.
Page last modified:
30 May, 2008
Page published: 16 November, 2006