Publication
Commercial Dogs, Cats and Ferrets
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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This section relates to the commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets from non-EU countries into the EU.
For information on commercial dog, cat and ferret movements within the EU and for export movements from the EU please see Commercial Dog, Cat or Ferret Movements
1. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403 harmonises the rules and establishes the general animal health conditions for the import into the territory of the EU of commercial dogs, cats and ferrets.
2. The list of Third countries, territories or parts thereof authorised for the export of commercial dogs, cats and ferrets can be found in:
• Part 1 of Annex VIII to Commission Implementing Regulation EU 2021/404
3. Decision 2006/146/EC on Nipah and Hendra Virus contains additional requirements for consignments of dogs and cats from Malaysia (Peninsula) and Australia.
4. Other EU rules, such as animal welfare requirements in Regulation (EC) 1/2005, or the requirement for authorised transporters still apply.
1. The list of Third countries, territories or parts thereof authorised for the export of commercial dogs, cats and ferrets can be found in:
(a) Part 1 of Annex VIII to Commission Implementing Regulation EU 2021/404
2. Consignments of these animals must be accompanied by the appropriate veterinary certificate drawn up in accordance with the relevant model heath certificate (See Veterinary Certification below).
3. As well as complying with all the requirements set out in the veterinary certificate, this may also include additional requirements to minimise potential disease risks, including:
(a) Decision 2006/146/EC on Nipah and Hendra Virus
4. The animals must come from a holding registered by the competent authority in the country of origin.
5. When additional requirements are necessary, the official veterinarian in the exporting non-EU country must ensure that the relevant sections are completed in the veterinary health certificate.
6. During the period after loading in the third country of origin and before arrival at the border control post of introduction into the Union, consignments of live animals shall not be:
(a) transported together with live animals that:
i. are not intended for introduction into the Union
ii. are of a lower health status
(b) unloaded in, or when transported by air, moved to another aircraft, or transported by road, by rail, or moved on foot through a third country, territory or part thereof which is not authorised for imports of the animals concerned into the Union.
7. Consignments of live animals shall only be introduced into the Union where the consignment arrives at the border control post of introduction into the Union within 10 days of the date of issue of the appropriate veterinary certificate.
8. In the case of transport by sea, that period of 10 days shall be extended by an additional period corresponding to the duration of the journey by sea.
1. The relevant certificates for commercial consignments of dogs, cats, and ferrets are laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403:
Model animal health certificate for imports into the Union of dogs, cats and ferrets
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2. An official veterinarian in the authorised Third country must sign the certificate to attest that all the relevant conditions in the certificate have been met.
3. A certified copy of the identification and vaccination details, and a certified copy of the official report from the approved laboratory with the results of the rabies antibody titration test if applicable, of the animals concerned must be attached to the health certificate.
4. The certificate must accompany the consignment en-route to the EU and be presented with the animals when they are presented for entry into the EU at an approved EU Border Control Post (BCP).
1. Live animals entering the Union must be inspected at an EU-approved Border Control Post (BCP) where Member States' official veterinarians ensure they fulfil all the requirements provided for in the EU legislation.
2. The person responsible for the load being imported (the importer or a customs agent acting on their behalf) must give the BCP at the intended point of entry advance notification of the arrival of the consignment.
3. There is a required minimum pre-notification notice period of at least 24 hours’ notice in advance of the consignment’s arrival.
4. Failure to submit correct documentation within this timeline may result in significant delays in the consignment being processed through the Border Control Post.
5. Pre-notification is given by the submission of Part 1 of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED-A), as is laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 2019/1715 through the online TRACES NT system.
6. Copies of other supporting documentation associated with the consignment such as the Health Certificate should be submitted at this time as well.
7. The CHED provides a standardised format for documentation relating to declaration and checks for live animals arriving into the Union so that data on imported consignments can be properly managed and processed within TRACES NT, the EU's integrated veterinary traceability system.
1. All live animals from third countries require veterinary checks at their point of entry into the European Union, as listed in Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2007.
2. EU harmonised import controls are carried out at an approved Border Control Post (BCP) that is designated to deal with that species of animal. The consignment may only enter Ireland through an approved Border Control Post (BCP) designated for that species.
3. There are three different types of designation:
a. ‘E’ for equine animals,
b. ‘U’ for ungulate animals
c. ‘O’ for other animals
4. . Dublin Port – Designation for Equine (E) animals, Ungulate (U) animals (excluding bovine, ovine, caprine or porcine species) and Other (O) live animals
b. Rosslare Port – Designation for Equine (E) animals, Ungulate (U) animals and Other (O) live animals
c. Dublin Airport: - Equine (E) animals, Ungulate (U) animals (Equidae and porcine animals only) and Other (O) live animals (Commercial dogs, cats and ferrets, lagomorphs and rodents, live fish, birds, reptiles and invertebrates)
d. Shannon Airport - Equine (E) animals only and Ungulate (U) animals (Equidae only)
5. Providing all the documentation has been submitted correctly and within the correct timeframes, a large proportion of the documentary check can be commenced in advance of the consignment’s arrival. This includes examination of the veterinary certificate and other documents accompanying a consignment
a. The original hard copy of the health certificate must travel with the consignment, and will be checked and held at the BCP at the point of entry into the EU
6. Provided all is in order with the documentary check, the consignment of live animals will then be subject to an identity check and physical check with/without sampling as appropriate at the BCP.
7. Upon satisfactory completion of the required checks, the decision is entered in Part 2 of the CHED which must accompany the consignment to the first place of destination referred to in the CHED. The consignment of live animals may then circulate freely within the EU.
8. If the consignment does not meet the import requirements, the consignment may be rejected entry and re-exported or in exceptional circumstances, humanely destroyed if necessary.