Re-imports of Animal Products

• The legislation governing consignments of animals and animal products originating from and returning to the European Union (EU) following a refusal of entry by a third country is Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2074.
• Consignments of animals and animal products originating from and returning to the EU due to a commercial decision (e.g. customer rejection, incorrect pallet sent etc.) are not legislated for in EU law. To provide a mechanism for the return of such consignments, and to mitigate risk posed, national rules are in place for such movements, which mirror the requirements for consignments refused entry.
• The owner, or a representative of the owner, of a consignment of products of animal origin, composite products, animal by-products and derived products returning to the Union following refusal of entry by a third country or for commercial reasons must apply in advance of arrival for an authorisation to present a consignment to the BCP for re-import (Vet14).
• No attempt should be made to re-import a consignment until a VET 14 has been issued.
• A VET14 Re-import Authorisation is not required in the following cases:

(a) goods returning to the EU from the United Kingdom through a border control post (BCP) in Ireland (see Reimport of animals and animal products from GB(UK))

(b) goods returning to the Union through a border control post in another Member State (MS)

For information on the return of animals and animal products from GB(UK), please see Reimport of animals and animal products from GB(UK)

Documentary requirements differ depending on whether the original seal is intact or not.

Sealed consignments that are returning to the Union with an intact original seal require:

i) Original official certificate issued by the Competent Authority (CA) (or its electronic equivalent submitted in IMSOC or authenticated copy)

ii) Export and return documentation (e.g. invoice, packing list, bill of lading)

iii) Declaration from the operator responsible for the consignment (RE-IMP-1 form) stating

i) Declaration from the CA at the place of destination that they agree to receive the consignment (RE-IMP-4 form ). This declaration is not required where the consignment returns to the establishment of origin which is located in the same MS as the BCP of arrival into the EU.

Consignments that are returning to the Union without an intact original seal require:

ii) Original official certificate issued by the Competent Authority (CA) (or its electronic equivalent submitted in IMSOC or authenticated copy)

iii) Export and return documentation (e.g. invoice, packing list, bill of lading)

iv) Official declaration of the CA or other public authority of the third country indicating;

v) Declaration from the competent authority at the place of destination that they agree to receive the consignment (RE-IMP-4 form ). This declaration is not required where the consignment returns to the establishment of origin which is located in the same MS as the BCP of arrival into the Union

If a Vet14 authorisation is issued, the consignment must be pre-notified 24 hours in advance to the BCP of re-import by submitting part 1 of the CHED form on TRACES NT.

- To initiate the processing of a re-import authorisation application, a scanned copy of a completed & signed Vet14 application form should be emailed to: AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ie

- Scanned copies of the required documents, as detailed in the relevant part of Section 2 above, must be submitted electronically to: AnimalProductImports@agriculture.gov.ie. Each document should be scanned and uploaded separately, and the resulting Word / PDF document should be given an appropriate title reflective of the document content.

- Further documentation may be requested on a case-by-case basis to support the VET 14 application.

- The original signed Vet 14 Authorisation as signed off under the Minister’s seal (or officially verified scanned copy thereof) must accompany the consignment at the time of presentation to the BCP

- Pre-notification to the Border Control Post (BCP) of re-entry 24 hours in advance by submitting part 1 of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED-P) on TRACES NT

- Pre-notification directly to the competent authority at the BCP of re-entry 24 hours in advance via DAFM's Imports Portal.

- Presentation of the consignment to the BCP for official controls. The consignment must undergo a documentary and identity check, and a physical check if appropriate, in a Border Control Post (BCP) designated for the category of goods being returned.

- The competent authority at the BCP of arrival shall monitor the transport and arrival of the consignment to the place of destination as indicated on the CHED and the licence, through Part III of the CHED.

- Provided the consignment passes the controls at the BCP, the consignment must be returned to the establishment of destination as indicated on the Vet14 Authorisation and on the CHED.

- The operator responsible for the consignment must notify the CA at the establishment of destination on the CHED as soon as possible and within 24 hours of arrival.

- The seal should not be broken on the consignment until it is inspected by an official from the CA.

- Following inspection, the inspecting CA must complete part III of the CHED to finalise the monitoring to destination. This must be completed within 15 days of arrival of the consignment at the place of destination.

- The CA responsible for the establishment of destination must examine the consignment and make a decision on its future permitted use.

For additional queries on general requirements please contact Animal Product Imports. Email: animalproductimports@agriculture.gov.ie

For queries on specific consignments at the BCP or the submission of documents to the BCP, please contact the relevant BCP.

Dublin Port: BCP.DubPort@agriculture.gov.ie; Phone: +353(0)1-6157792

Dublin Airport: BCP.DublinAirport@agriculture.gov.ie; Phone: +353(0)1-6157650

Rosslare Europort: RosslareBCP@agriculture.gov.ie; Phone: +353(0)53-9114157

Shannon Airport: BIPS.ShanAirport@agriculture.gov.ie; Phone: +353(0)61-500940