European Union - Furs

Last Modified: April 29, 2024

The European Union (EU) defines “furs” as the pelts of “animals kept or reared for the production of fur and not used for human consumption.”

This article does not cover hides/skins of livestock, horses, birds, wildlife, or other ungulates. This article also does not cover the export of finished items such as fur clothing.

This article also does not address additional potential requirements including those related to CITES certificates, nor that individual EU Member countries may ban imports of certain furs for reasons other than animal health requirements. In all cases, exporters should have their importers confirm prior to shipment with the border inspection post (BIP) through which the consignment will enter the EU that the consignment will be allowed entry.

I. Furs which DO NOT require APHIS facility approval or APHIS certification:

Furs which have been dried at an ambient temperature of 18 oC for a period of at least two days at a humidity of 55 %.

Consignments of these furs must be accompanied by a “commercial document” (a company document). The exporter should have their importer work with the Ministry of Animal Health in the importing country and the border inspection post (BIP) through which the consignment will enter the EU to determine the acceptability of the form and content of the commercial document prior to shipment. APHIS does not review or endorse the commercial document. No reference to APHIS approval should appear on the commercial document. At this time there is no “standard” format published by the EU for the commercial document. However, the commercial document must include the following specifics:

  1. Description of the material and the animal species of origin;
  2. Category of the material [as defined by Regulation (EC) 1069/2009] (must be Category 3);
  3. Quantity of the material;
  4. Place of dispatch of the material;
  5. Name and address of the consignor;
  6. Name and address of the consignee;
  7. Verification that the furs have been dried at an ambient temperature of 18 oC for a period of at least two days at a humidity of 55 %.

Fur derived from animals which were not slaughtered under government inspection for human consumption must be processed as noted above and shipped under these requirements.
 

II. Furs which DO require APHIS facility approval and certification:

Furs which have not been treated [dried at an ambient temperature of 18 oC for a period of at least two days at a humidity of 55 %] must be exported to the EU on the Chapter 8 Health

Certificate: For more information on how to obtain the required approval for this certificate, please contact your local VS Field Operations Veterinary Export Trade Services. For information on the Chapter 8 Health Certificate, visit Animal by-products for the manufacture of products for purposes other than human or animal consumption- Chapter 8. Chapter 8 Health Certificate is not available for furs derived from animals slaughtered by means other than under government inspection for the production of materials for human consumption.

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