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Importing Animals and Animal Products from Countries Outside the EU (Third Countries)
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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Last updated on
Since 1 January 2021, if you want to import animals or products of animal origin (including fish) from the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) you must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.
Importers also need to be registered on TRACES (an EU Commission system for the electronic completion of documentation required for imports of certain consignments from third countries).
To protect human health, animal health and the environment, EU rules restrict the import of certain goods from third countries – for example, live animals and products of animal origin.
To import animals or products of animal origin from the UK (excluding Northern Ireland):
• the operator responsible for importing the consignment must register with the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine as well as on the EU’s Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). You can register on TRACES
by applying through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
• check on TRACES that the exporter in the UK is approved by the EU to export the category of product required by you
• make sure your transporter or haulier is in possession of the required EU authorisations
• ensure pre-notification of imports of live animals and animal products is submitted at least 24 hours before the consignment arrives at the point of entry
• the person responsible for importing the consignment is also required to submit copies of the relevant health certificates and any other documentation required by EU legislation to an electronic mailbox at the same time as the TRACES document is completed
• if you are importing wild caught fish or fishery products, you must have a Catch Certificate – see the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) for further information. Where a Catch Certificate is required, you must give the SFPA at least 24 hours advance notice
- Imports of products of animal origin for human consumption
- Live Animal Imports
- Import of animal by-products (ABPs)
- Import of Composite Products
- Import of Hatching Eggs
- Import of Germinal Products
- Import of Hay and Straw
- Import of Pathogenic Agents
- Import of Research and Diagnostic Agents
- Re -imports of Animal Products
- Re-imports of Live Animals
- Import of Food Samples (POAO and Composite products for product analysis and quality testing)
- Import of Trade Samples - not for human consumption
Border Control Posts designated for animals, products of animal origin, composite products, germinal products, animal by-products, hay and straw referred to in Article 47(1)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 or covered by conditions or measures referred to in Article 47(1)(d), (e) or (f) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625
BCP Designation Ireland
BCPs designated for animals, products of animal origin, composite products, germinal products, animal by-products, hay and straw referred to in Article 47(1)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 or covered by conditions or measures referred to in Article 47(1)(d), (e) or (f) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625
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Although the UK has left the EU, operators are still able to move goods between Ireland and other EU countries by road through Great Britain (the UK Landbridge). However, since 1 January 2021, a range of new steps must be completed.
Please see here for Trader Notices relating to the the Import of Animal and Animal products.
The EU requires all Wood Packaging Material (WPM) from third countries entering the Union territory to be ISPM 15 compliant: Wood Packaging Material and ISPM 15
