Importing bees from other EU countries

All imports of bees from other European Union member states must be notified to the Department of Agriculture at least 24 hours before the consignment’s arrival in the Republic of Ireland. This is done using an Advance Notice of Importation form.

A health certificate which has been issued by the competent authority in the member state of origin must accompany each consignment of bees. If a consignment is subsequently sub-divided for delivery to two or more recipients, a copy of the health certificate must accompany each partial consignment to its final destination.

In addition to giving details about the movement of the bees, the health certificate is aimed at ensuring:

• the bees do not come from restricted areas affected by bee diseases
• cages contain a strict ratio between queens and attendees
• surveillance measures are in place in the location of origin to minimise the risk of infestation by pests such as the small hive beetle
• bees have undergone a visual examination to detect the occurrence of the small hive beetle or other infestations
• cages have been properly protected by fine mesh after the visual health inspection

Consignments of bees that are imported into the Republic of Ireland between 15 March and 30 June must also be accompanied by documentary evidence from the competent authority in the member state of origin, to show that the bees have either:

• come from an area that is free of Fireblight
• come from a protected zone for Fireblight
• were subjected to an appropriate quarantine measure that restricted their foraging activity for at least 48 hours before the time of their arrival in Ireland

Bees may not be imported directly into Ireland from countries outside the EU. Any such bees will have to firstly undergo border inspection checks at a Border Inspection Post, such as Frankfurt, approved for such checks in another member state.

The Advance Notice of Importation form below includes full details of the requirements to import bees including the health certificate requirements. Forms should arrive at least 24 hours before the arrival of the bees in the Republic of Ireland. The signed and completed form can be scanned and emailed to beekeeping@agriculture.gov.ie or posted to: