General licences and authorisations to import live animals or animal products
Licences and authorisations to import genetic material, research and diagnostic samples, trade samples and display items, and some live animals and animal products.
Imports of most animals and animal products are covered by UK legislation. Check the import information notes to find out if your import is covered.
If your import has an import information note, you must follow the conditions in the note.
If your import does not have an import information note you may need a general licence or authorisation.
You can use an existing general licence or authorisation to import:
If a general licence or authorisation for what you want to import does not exist, contact the APHA imports team.
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
Licences:
Live animals
Licences and authorisations for:
- domestic and non-domestic livestock (cattle, pigs, sheep, goats)
- poultry, birds and equidae (horses, ponies, donkeys)
- insects
These are for animals entering England from:
- the Channel Islands
- Northern Ireland
- Isle of Man
- non-EU countries
Captive or pet birds
Cattle
- , and amendment notice
Insects
Sheep and goats
Poultry
Pigs
Other non-domestic hoofed animals
Products for human consumption
Licences and authorisations for animal products entering England from EU and non-EU countries.
- - 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- Glucosamine, chondroitin and chitosan-livestock, poultry, fish (IMP/GEN/2015/05) - This authorisation has been revoked as the import conditions are now provided for in EU legislation and an authorisation is no longer required.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
- - 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
Products not for human consumption
Licences and authorisations for:
- research and diagnostic samples
- animal by-products with official controls at the border
- animal by-products without official controls at the border (excluding research and diagnostic samples)
Research and diagnostic samples
Research and diagnostic samples are animal by-products or derived products that will be either:
- examined in the context of diagnostic activities
- analysed for the promotion of progress in science and technology in the context of educational and research activities
If you are importing research and diagnostic samples, you must comply with the import conditions in ‘Import of Research and Diagnostic Samples’.
You must also use import authorisations for research and diagnostic samples:
- coming to England from non-EU countries
- coming to Great Britain from EU countries from 1 February 2025
If there is no appropriate general import authorisation for your product, you must apply to APHA for a specific import authorisation.
Research and diagnostic samples are not subject to risk categorisation under the Border Target Operating Model.
The following import authorisations are for research and diagnostic samples coming from EU and European Free Trade Association member states:
The following import authorisations are for research and diagnostic samples coming from countries that are not EU or European Free Trade Association member states:
- - Country of origin: all countries
- - Country of origin: all third countries
- - Country of origin: all third countries
- - Country of origin: all third countries
- - Country of origin: all third countries
- - 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.
- - 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.
- - 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 (as amended )
- - 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 )
- - Samples of products from mammals or birds for research and diagnostic purposes and not intended for resale. Country of origin: Channel Islands
- - 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
- - Any product derived from fish, reptiles and invertebrates from certain Third countries. Country of origin: Australia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand and USA.] (as amended )
- - Processed feather samples from Third Countries. Country of origin: All non-EU countries.
- - 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.
- - Honey intended for educational, research and diagnostic purposes. Country of origin: All third countries.
Animal by-products with official controls at a border control post (BCP)
Import authorisations for animal by-products not for human consumption that must enter England through a designated BCP.
The following import authorisations are for animal by products coming from countries that are not EU or European Free Trade Association member states:
- - Country of origin: all countries
- - Country of origin: From third countries listed as a Member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in the OIE bulletin
- - 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
The following import authorisations are for animal by products coming from EU and European Free Trade Association member states.
Animal by-products without official controls at a border control post (BCP)
Licences for animal by-products not for human consumption that do not need to enter England through a designated BCP.
These licences are for products coming from EU and non-EU countries:
- - Country of origin: all countries
- - 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
- - 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
- - 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
Imports of hay and straw
Updates to this page
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Correction: EU non-harmonised animal by-products IMP/GEN/2025/05 is replaced by EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2025/08). Import authorisation for EU trade samples has been reverted to IMP/GEN/2025/05.
Update history
2025-10-08 15:18
IMP/GEN/2023/02 was revoked and replaced by IMP/GEN/2025/10 for the import of hay and straw.
2025-06-25 10:30
Correction: EU non-harmonised animal by-products IMP/GEN/2025/05 is replaced by EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2025/08).Import authorisation for EU trade samples has been reverted to IMP/GEN/2025/05.
2025-06-25 00:30
Import restrictions on Austria, due to foot and mouth disease, are lifted. EU display items general authorisation (IMP/GEN/2025/06) replaced with (IMP/GEN/2025/09). EU trade samples general authorisation (IMP/GEN/2025/05) replaced with (IMP/GEN/2025/08).
2025-04-15 14:52
We have updated the ‘Dog or cat semen from donors compliant with regulation 576/2013 (IMP/GEN/2024/10)’. The general licence has been updated to include a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011 as an acceptable form of identification.
2025-03-27 14:49
Replaced 2 authorisations in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Hungary, which affects the import of certain products from Austria. Replaced ‘EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2025/03)’ with ‘EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2025/05)’. Replaced ‘EU display items (IMP/GEN/2025/04)’ with ‘EU display items (IMP/GEN/2025/06)’.
2025-03-07 16:49
Replaced 2 authorisations in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Hungary:• replaced ‘EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2025/01)’ with ‘EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2025/03)’• replaced ‘EU display items (IMP/GEN/2025/02)’ with ‘EU display items (IMP/GEN/2025/04)’
2025-01-14 17:39
Replaced authorisation ‘EU display items IMP/GEN/2024/06’ with ‘EU display items IMP/GEN/2025/02’, and authorisation ‘EU non-harmonised animal by-products IMP/GEN/2024/08’ with ‘EU non-harmonised animal by-products IMP/GEN/2025/01’. This is in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Germany.
2024-12-20 14:09
Added a new import authorisation for:- Research and diagnostic samples from EU and EFTA member states (IMP/GEN/2024/13) – this is required from 1 February 2025Updated the following import authorisations: Certain products in 3% or less animal by-product carrier/stabilizer (IMP/GEN/14/02)Certain products for in vitro use with 10% or less animal by-product carrier/stabilizer (IMP/GEN/2015/06)EU trade samples (IMP/GEN/2024/05)EU display items (IMP/GEN/2024/06) Certain materials for purposes other than feeding to farmed land animals (IMP/GEN/2024/07)EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2024/08)
2024-10-31 14:33
Added a new general licence (IMP/GEN/2024/12) for movements of ovine and caprine ova and embryos from Northern Ireland.
2024-08-19 14:42
Updated 2 licences:- General licence to import certain products for in vitro use with 10% or less animal by-product carrier or stabilizer (IMP/GEN/2015/06)- General licence to import certain products in 3% or less animal by-product carrier or stabiliser (IMP/GEN/14/02).
2024-06-18 14:22
Updated 2 general licences: – Dog or cat semen from donors compliant with regulation 576/2013 or 998/2003 (IMP/GEN/2024/10)- Import of laboratory produced rodent or lagomorph embryos, ova and semen to a research facility in Great Britain (IMP/GEN/2024/11)
2024-06-05 13:22
The authorisation for ‘Treated milk and milk-based products and treated blood products, for use as a stabiliser or carrier (not exceeding 3% concentration)’ has been replaced with an amended version.
2024-04-30 00:01
Updated information about products not for human consumption, including licences and authorisations.
2024-03-01 16:53
Updated the document ‘Authorisation for dairy products and raw milk for human consumption that have undergone a lower heat treatment than pasteurisation (IMP/GEN/2024/01)’ under ‘Products for human consumption’. The document now includes a link to a model health certificate.
2024-02-01 16:48
A document about authorisation for products under Trade in Animals and Related Products (TARP) has been added to products for human consumption.
2023-12-01 10:27
Removed ‘Hay and straw from third countries (IMP/GEN/2020/01)’, which has been revoked. Added ‘Hay and straw from third countries (IMP/GEN/2023/02)’.
2023-07-18 17:37
Licence for category 3 animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2009/03): The country of origin is EU countries, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
2023-03-09 15:55
Added authorisation IMP/GEN/2023/01 for drosophila melanogaster to the live animals section.
2023-03-06 15:38
Updated amendment notice IMPGEN/2014/09 for import of cattle from the Channel Islands with a further change to condition 4.
2022-07-12 10:34
Revoked licence number L/96/2 for sheep and goats and added a new general licence IMP/GEN/2022/01 for sheep and goats in Northern Ireland.
2022-02-18 14:01
Removed the Embryos, ova and semen from third countries (IMP/GEN/2012/03) general licence as it is out of date.