General licences and authorisations to import live animals or animal products

Most imports of animals and animal products are covered by UK legislation. Find out if your import is covered on the Import information notes on the Animal and Plant Health Authority (APHA) website.

If there’s no agreed UK legislation for the animals or animal products you want to import, you will need an import licence or authorisation.

There are general import licences and authorisations for:

• genetic material
• live animals
• products for human consumption
• products not for human consumption
• research and diagnostic samples, trade samples and display items

You do not need to apply for one of these licences but you must follow its conditions.

If you cannot find a general licence or authorisation for what you want to import, you must apply for a licence.

Genetic material

Licences for semen, ova and embryos from:

• livestock
• canines
• felines
• rodents
• lagomorphs (hares, rabbits and pikas)
• equines

These are for products entering England from:

• the Channel Islands
• Northern Ireland
• Isle of Man

• countries outside the EU

• Bovine semen from the Channel Islands (IMP/GEN/2019/01) (PDF, 2.21 MB, 3 pages)
• Bovine ova and embryos from the Channel Islands (PDF, 1.75 MB, 2 pages)
• Bovine ova and embryos from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2016/05) (PDF, 64.1 KB, 2 pages)
• Bovine semen from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2008/01) (PDF, 469 KB, 4 pages)
• Equine semen from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2013/03) (PDF, 510 KB, 2 pages)
• Porcine semen from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2007/5) (PDF, 62.5 KB, 2 pages)
• Sheep and goat semen from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2014/10) (PDF, 587 KB, 2 pages)
• Red deer semen from New Zealand (IMP/GEN/2012/04) (PDF, 139 KB, 6 pages)
• Dog or cat semen from donors compliant with regulation 576/2013 or 998/2003 (PDF, 205 KB, 2 pages)
• Import of laboratory produced Rodent or Lagomorph Embryos/Ova/Semen to a research facility in Great Britain (IMP/GEN/RM37) (PDF, 195 KB, 2 pages)

Licences for:

• domestic and non-domestic livestock (cattle, pigs, sheep, goats)
• poultry, birds and equidae (horses, ponies, donkeys)

These are for animals entering England from:

• the Channel Islands
• Northern Ireland
• Isle of Man
• non-EU countries

Captive or pet birds

• Captive or pet birds from Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2017/02) (PDF, 550 KB, 4 pages)

Cattle

• Cattle from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2016/03) (PDF, 120 KB, 3 pages)
• Cattle, breeding, production from Channel Islands (IMP/GEN/2014/09) (PDF, 180 KB, 3 pages), and amendment notice IMP/GEN/2014/09 - condition 4 amendment (PDF, 227 KB, 2 pages)
• Cattle aged 15 days and over from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2016/01) (PDF, 135 KB, 3 pages)

Sheep and goats

• Sheep and goats from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2015/04) (PDF, 130 KB, 3 pages)
• Sheep/Goats from Channel Islands (S&G/97/1) (PDF, 68.6 KB, 3 pages)
• Sheep and goats from Northern Ireland (L/96/2)(IMP/GEN/2022/01) (PDF, 57110 KB, 34 pages)

Poultry

• Poultry and hatching eggs from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2004/8) (PDF, 45.1 KB, 2 pages)
• Poultry or hatching-eggs from Channel Islands (IMP/GEN/2011/12) (PDF, 71.1 KB, 2 pages)

Pigs

• Pigs, breeding, production, slaughter from Channel Islands (IMP/GEN/2012/07) (PDF, 78.9 KB, 3 pages)
• Pigs, breeding, production, slaughter from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2021/01) (PDF, 119 KB, 4 pages)
• Pigs for slaughter from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2015/03) (PDF, 128 KB, 3 pages)

Other non-domestic hoofed animals

• Non-domestic ungulates from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2015/08) (PDF, 126 KB, 2 pages)
• Non-domestic ungulates from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2015/09) (PDF, 130 KB)

Products for human consumption

Licences for animal products entering England from EU and non-EU countries.

• Starter cultures for production of certain foods (IMP/GEN/2014/05) (PDF, 1.02 MB, 3 pages) - Animal derived dairy starter cultures/cheese making kits/enzymes/media cultures for the manufacture of certain food products. Country of origin: Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA
• Glucosamine, chondroitin and chitosan-livestock, poultry, fish (IMP/GEN/2015/05) - This authorisation has been revoked as the import conditions are now provided for in EU legislation and an authorisation is no longer required. A summary of the import conditions are available in Import Information Note IIN GCC/1.
• Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Chitosan derived from bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine animals, swine, poultry and fishery products. Country of origin: Certain EU approved third countries
• Certain composite products (IMP/GEN/2007/2) (PDF, 108 KB, 3 pages) - Composite products for human consumption, containing no meat/unprocessed animal products (must not contain more than 50% of any other animal products). Country of origin: All non-EU countries, except when the composite product contains dairy products the dairy product must come from an EU approved country.
• Certain products not subject to veterinary checks (IMP/GEN/2007/01) – This licence has been revoked due to amendments to Annex II of Commission Decision 2007/275/EC. An import licence is no longer required. Guidance on the relevant import conditions for the revised Annex II products is available in our Composite products for human consumption from Third Countries (IIN CP/1) Import Information Note. All products must meet the relevant requirements of this legislation
• Various finished products for human consumption (check licence for full list). Country of origin: All non-EU countries
• Gelatine capsules derived from the bovine, ovine and caprine species containing products of animal that require veterinary check at a Border Inspection Posts (IMP/GEN/2016/07) (PDF, 288 KB, 3 pages)
• Gelatine capsules derived from animals other than of the bovine, ovine and caprine species containing products of animal that require veterinary check at a Border Inspection Posts (IMP/GEN/2016/08) (PDF, 133 KB, 3 pages)
• Empty/unfilled gelatine capsules derived from the bovine, ovine and caprine species (IMP/GEN/2016/09) (PDF, 119 KB, 2 pages)
• Empty/unfilled gelatine capsules derived from species other than the bovine, ovine and caprine species (IMP/GEN/2016/10) (PDF, 275 KB, 2 pages)
• Gelatine capsules derived from the bovine, ovine and caprine species containing products that do not require checks at Border Inspection Posts (IMP/GEN/2016/11) (PDF, 284 KB, 2 pages)
• Gelatine capsules derived from species other than of the bovine, ovine and caprine species containing products that do not require checks at Border Inspection Posts (IMP/GEN/2016/12) (PDF, 283 KB, 2 pages)
• Meat extracts and meat concentrates (IMP/GEN/2017/01) (PDF, 268 KB, 3 pages)

Products not for human consumption

Licences for animal by-products not for human consumption entering England from EU and non-EU countries.

• Game trophies and other preparations (IMP/GEN/14/06) (PDF, 1.11 MB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all countries
• Certain products in 3% or less animal by-product carrier/stabilizer (IMP/GEN/14/02) (PDF, 1.02 MB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all countries
• Processed animal by-products for educational tools (IMP/GEN/2013/04) (PDF, 2.59 MB, 4 pages) - Country of origin: From third countries listed as a Member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in the OIE bulletin
• Hay and straw from EU and certain other European countries (IMP/GEN/2011/08) (PDF, 35.8 KB, 1 page)
• Hay and straw from third countries (IMP/GEN/2020/01) (PDF, 35.8 KB, 1 page)
• Category 3 animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2009/03) (PDF, 344 KB, 2 pages) - Country of origin: EU countries, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland Country of origin: non-EU countries which are on the EU animal health approved lists for milk, egg or gelatin
• Empty blown ostrich and emu egg shells - all countries (IMP/GEN/2004/11) (PDF, 51.3 KB, 2 pages)
• Laboratory test kits - all countries (IMP/GEN/2004/10) (PDF, 50.9 KB, 2 pages)
• Decorative feathers - all countries (IMP/GEN/2007/06) (PDF, 68.5 KB, 2 pages)
• Finish hides and skins - all countries (IMP/GEN/2004/02) (PDF, 52.9 KB, 2 pages) - Hides and skins of ungulates that have undergone the complete process of tanning, wet blue hides and skins of ungulates, pickled pelts and limed hides.
• Diets for laboratory rodents or primates from USA (TAY/GEN/2004/272) (PDF, 57.9 KB, 2 pages)
• Treated skins and furs - all countries (IMP/GEN/2003/1180) (PDF, 380 KB, 2 pages)
• Gelatine for Manufacture of paintballs from Canada (IMP/GEN/2008/02) (PDF, 287 KB, 2 pages)
• Finished cosmetic products - certain third countries (IMP/GEN/2004/5) (PDF, 50.3 KB, 2 pages)
• Certain products for in vitro use with 10% or less animal by-product carrier/stabilizer (IMP/GEN/2015/06) (PDF, 1.28 MB, 3 pages)
• Imports of pearls in oyster shells (containing oyster flesh) in ready to sell containers not for human consumption (IMP/GEN/2018/01) (PDF, 1.51 MB, 3 pages)
• Fresh or chilled hides and skins from ungulates for further processing from The Channel Islands and Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2016/04) (PDF, 115 KB, 3 pages)

Research and diagnostic samples, trade samples and display items

Import conditions for research and diagnostic samples, trade samples and display items are provided for in the animal by-product legislation. They must be authorised before they are imported.

Some general licences and authorisations may need to be read together with a separate amendment notice, listed alongside it in the list below.

Research and diagnostic samples, trade samples and display items coming from member states do not need to be licenced or authorised, but must comply with EU rules on animal by-products.

You may wish to include a copy of the facilitation letter with any consignments from EU countries.

Research and diagnostic samples

• Research and diagnostic samples - cells from marsupialia, rodentia, lagomorpha, euliptyphla, canidae, felide, mustelidae (IMP/GEN/18/03) (PDF, 222 KB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all third countries
• Research and diagnostic samples - from marsupialia, rodentia, lagomorpha, euliptyphla, canidae, felide, mustelidae (IMP/GEN/18/04) (PDF, 238 KB, 7 pages) - Country of origin: all third countries
• Research and diagnostic samples - laboratory primates (1) (IMP/GEN/14/08) (PDF, 1 MB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all third countries
• Research and diagnostic samples - laboratory primates (IMP/GEN/14/07) (PDF, 2.21 MB, 6 pages) - Country of origin: all third countries
• Samples from EU countries - facilitation letter (PDF, 127 KB, 3 pages) - Research and diagnostic samples, trade samples, display items. Country of origin: EU member states, Switzerland, Norway. Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands

Heat treated animal products

• Heat treated animal products of ungulates born and bred in captivity (IMP/GEN/2010/07) (PDF, 894 KB, 4 pages) - Heat treated organs, glands, blood or other tissues from ungulates born and bred in captivity from certain Third countries. Country of origin: Australia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand and USA. Amendment notice (IMP/GEN/2010/07) (PDF, 106 KB, 2 pages)
• Heat treated animal products of domestic, zoo and laboratory mammals born and bred in captivity (IMP/GEN/2010/08) (PDF, 877 KB, 4 pages) - Heat treated organs, glands, blood, other tissues from domestic, zoo and laboratory mammals born and bred in captivity excl ungulates and primates. Country of origin: all non-EU countries. Amendment notice (IMP/GEN/2010/08) (PDF, 99.2 KB, 2 pages)
• Eggs and egg product samples (IMP/GEN/2010/03) (PDF, 938 KB, 4 pages) - Heat treated eggs and egg product samples from certain Third countries. Country of origin: Third countries in Part 1, Annex II to Reg (EU) 206/2010 and third countries or parts thereof authorised for imports of fresh poultry meat (Reg (EC) No 798/2008)
• Heat treated milk samples (IMP/GEN/2010/04) (PDF, 901 KB, 4 pages) - Ultra heat treated (UHT) milk samples from certain third countries. Country of origin: Countries listed in column B of Regulation (EU) No 605/2010 (as amended Amendment notice (PDF, 110 KB, 3 pages)

Other products

• Game trophies and other preparations (IMP/GEN/14/06) (PDF, 1.11 MB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all countries
• Samples, mammals, birds for research and diagnosis (IMP/GEN/2013/01) (PDF, 256 KB, 4 pages) - Samples of products from mammals or birds for research and diagnostic purposes and not intended for resale. Country of origin: Channel Islands
• Animal tissue from mammals or birds fixed in formalin (IMP/GEN/2011/04) (PDF, 61.5 KB, 5 pages) - Animal tissue derived from mammals and birds fixed in formalin intended as a display item. Country of origin: Third countries or parts thereof authorised for imports of fresh bovine meat listed in Part I of Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010
• Tissues, mammals, birds fixed in formalin, research (IMP/GEN/2011/03) (PDF, 99.6 KB, 5 pages) - Animal tissue derived from mammals and birds fixed in formalin intended for research use. Country of origin: Third countries or parts thereof authorised for imports of fresh bovine meat listed in Part I of Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010
• Facilitation letter (PDF, 497 KB, 1 page) - Animal products derived from reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates or honey. Country of origin: EU countries
• Product derived from fish, reptiles and invertebrates (IMP/GEN/2010/01) (PDF, 838 KB, 4 pages) - Any product derived from fish, reptiles and invertebrates from certain Third countries. Country of origin: Australia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand and USA.
• Amendment notice (PDF, 110 KB, 3 pages)
• Processed feather samples (IMP/GEN/2010/06) (PDF, 807 KB, 4 pages) - Processed feather samples from Third Countries. Country of origin: All non-EU countries. Amendment notice (IMP/GEN/2010/06) (PDF, 106 KB, 2 pages)
• Certain animal products derived from family canidae, family felidae. Order rodentia and order lagomorpha born and bred in captivity (IMP/GEN/2010/12) (PDF, 1.11 MB, 6 pages) - Whole carcases, or parts thereof and certain other materials from animals of the Family Canidae, Family Felidae. Order Rodentia and Order Lagomorpha born and bred in captivity. Country of origin: Australia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand and USA. Amendment notice (IMP/GEN/2010/12) (PDF, 101 KB, 2 pages)
• Products and substances licenced under pathogens and medicines legislation (IMP/GEN/2010/15) (PDF, 85.9 KB, 3 pages) - Products and Substances for which a valid licence exists under certain Pathogens and Medicines legislation listed in condition 1 of the licence. Country of origin: All countries
• Honey for laboratory (IMP/GEN/2010/16) - amendment notice (PDF, 133 KB, 4 pages) - Honey intended for educational, research and diagnostic purposes. Country of origin: All third countries. Amendment notice (IMP/GEN/2010/16) (PDF, 98.1 KB, 2 pages)
• DNA, plasmid DNA or RNA, stem cells, proteins, antibodies, peptides, cell cultures (IMP/GEN/2008/03) (PDF, 71.6 KB, 2 pages) - Certain: DNA, plasmid DNA or RNA; stem cells derived from laboratory born and reared animals certain proteins; antibodies peptides and polypeptides; cell cultures. Country of origin: All non-EU countries.