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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Notice: If you have any questions or concerns regarding the procedures and requirements for exporting animals, you should contact the VS Field Office covering the area from which the animal will be exported, the area in which your office is located.
This country allows USDA Accredited Veterinarians to use USDA’s online Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) to complete health certificates.
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USDA Accredited Veterinarian Signature
Electronic Signature Accepted
USDA APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer Signature
Digital Endorsement NOT Accepted The health certificate bears the original ink signature and embossed seal
Before going to VEHCS: Scroll below this banner to view animal-specific requirements.
To process some health certificates, VEHCS may need the USDA Accredited Veterinarian to upload the completed fillable PDF version found below. Either save a copy of the PDF below, or return to this page for the health certificate, if prompted by VEHCS.
USDA Accredited Veterinarians, log in here if you wish to use VEHCS.
USDA Accredited Veterinarians, help with using VEHCS is available on the VEHCS Help Page. To walk yourself through issuing a health certificate in VEHCS, click here.
NOTE:The printed paper endorsed health certificate must accompany each shipment. You can arrange to have your endorsed health certificate returned via pick-up or by mail (a pre-paid, pre-addressed return label must be provided during certificate submission).
European Union - Summary of Requirements for Live Animals
Bilingual health certificates are available for some species/commodities. Please refer to the link for the individual Member State for available bilingual health certificates. It is the responsibility of the exporter to obtain a bilingual certificate if it is not available on the Member State link.
As of April 2021, the European Union (EU) updated all of their harmonized health certificates in accordance with their Animal Health Law. The new export health certificates, relevant regulations, and references are posted below.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/620 contains lists of countries and zones in the EU that are free of or have centrally approved eradication programs for certain diseases - June 2021
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/260 contains lists of countries and zones in the EU that have national eradication measures or freedom from certain diseases of aquatic animals.
EQUI-X - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of domestic equidae not intended for slaughter - April 2021
EQUI-TRANSIT-X - Health certificate and model declaration for transit through the Union of equine animals not intended for slaughter - April 2021
EQUI-RE-ENTRY-30 - Health certificate and model declaration for the re-entry into the Union of registered horses for racing, competition and cultural events after temporary export for a period of not more than 30 days - April 2021
EQUI-RE-ENTRY-90-COMP - Health certificate and model declaration applicable to re-entry into the Union of registered horses for competition after temporary export for a period of not more than 90 days to participate in equestrian events organised under the auspices of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) - April 2021
EQUI-RE-ENTRY-90-RACE - Health certificate and model declaration applicable to re-entry into the Union of registered horses for racing after temporary export for a period of not more than 90 days to participate in specific race events in Australia, Canada, the United States of America, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates or Qatar - April 2021
Equine - Semen - Dispatched from Semen Collection Center
EQUI-SEM-A-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of semen of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021, and dispatched from a semen collection centre where the semen was collected - April 2021
EQUI-SEM-B-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of stocks of semen of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC after 30 September 2014 and before 21 April 2021, and dispatched after 20 April 2021 from a semen collection centre where the semen was collected - April 2021
EQUI-SEM-C-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of stocks of semen of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC after 31 August 2010 and before 1 October 2014, and dispatched after 20 April 2021 from a semen collection centre where the semen was collected - April 2021
EQUI-SEM-D-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of stocks of semen of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC before 1 September 2010 and dispatched after 20 April 2021 from an approved semen collection centre where the semen was collected - April 2021
Equine - Embryos - Dispatched by Embryo Collection or Production Team
EQUI-OOCYTES-EMB-A-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of oocytes and embryos of equine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021, and dispatched by an embryo collection or production team by which the oocytes or embryos were collected or produced - April 2021
EQUI-OOCYTES-EMB-B-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of stocks of oocytes and embryos of equine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC after 30 September 2014 and before 21 April 2021, and dispatched after 20 April 2021 by an embryo collection or production team by which the oocytes or embryos were collected or produced - April 2021
EQUI-OOCYTES-EMB-C-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of stocks of oocytes and embryos of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC after 31 August 2010 and before 1 October 2014, and dispatched after 20 April 2021 by an embryo collection or production team by which the oocytes or embryos were collected or produced - April 2021
Equine - Germinal Products (Semen/Embryos/Oocytes) - Dispatched from Germinal Product Storage Center or Germinal Product Processing Establishment
EQUI-GP-STORAGE-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of germinal products listed below, dispatched after 20 April 2021 from a germinal product storage centre - April 2021:
semen of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021;
stocks of semen of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC after 30 September 2014 and before 21 April 2021;
stocks of semen of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC after 31 August 2010 and before 1 October 2014;
stocks of semen of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC before 1 September 2010;
oocytes and embryos of equine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021;
stocks of oocytes and embryos of equine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC after 30 September 2014 and before 21 April 2021;
stocks of oocytes and embryos of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC after 31 August 2010 and before 1 October 2014.
EQUI-GP-PROCESSING-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of germinal products listed below, dispatched after 20 April 2021 from a germinal product processing establishment - April 2021:
semen of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021;
stocks of semen of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC after 30 September 2014 and before 21 April 2021;
stocks of semen of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC after 31 August 2010 and before 1 October 2014;
stocks of semen of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC before 1 September 2010,
oocytes and embryos of equine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021;
stocks of oocytes and embryos of equine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC after 30 September 2014 and before 21 April 2021;
stocks of oocytes and embryos of equine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC after 31 August 2010 and before 1 October 2014.
Bovine - Semen - Dispatched from Semen Collection Center
BOV-SEM-A-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of semen of bovine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021, and dispatched from a semen collection centre where the semen was collected - April 2021
BOV-SEM-B-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of stocks of semen of bovine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Council Directive 88/407/EEC, as amended by Council Directive 2003/43/EC, after 31 December 2004 and before 21 April 2021, and entered into the Union after 20 April 2021, and dispatched from a semen collection centre where the semen was collected - April 2021
BOV-SEM-C-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of stocks of semen of bovine animals collected, processed and stored before 1 January 2005 in accordance with Council Directive 88/407/EEC applying until 1 July 2004, and entered into the Union after 20 April 2021, and dispatched from a semen collection centre where the semen was collected - April 2021
Bovine - Embryos - Dispatched by Embryo Collection or Production Team
BOV-OOCYTES-EMB-A-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of oocytes and embryos of bovine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021, and dispatched by an embryo collection or production team by which the oocytes or embryos were collected or produced - April 2021
BOV-in-vivo-EMB-B-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of stocks of in vivo derived embryos of bovine animals collected, processed and stored before 21 April 2021 in accordance with Council Directive 89/556/EEC, and entered into the Union after 20 April 2021, and dispatched by an embryo collection team by which the embryos were collected - April 2021
BOV-in-vitro-EMB-C-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of stocks of in vitro produced embryos of bovine animals produced, processed and stored before 21 April 2021 in accordance with Council Directive 89/556/EEC, conceived using semen complying with requirements of Council Directive 88/407/EEC, and entered into the Union after 20 April 2021, and dispatched by an embryo production team by which the embryos were produced - April 2021
BOV-in-vitro-EMB-D-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of stocks of in vitro produced embryos of bovine animals produced, processed and stored before 21 April 2021 in accordance with Council Directive 89/556/EEC, conceived using semen coming from semen collection or storage centres approved by the competent authority of the exporting country, and entered into the Union after 20 April 2021, and dispatched by an embryo production team by which the embryos were produced - April 2021
Bovine - Germinal Products (Semen/Embryos/Oocytes) - Dispatched from Germinal Product Storage Center or Germinal Product Processing Establishment
BOV-GP-STORAGE-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of germinal products listed below, dispatched after 20 April 2021 from the germinal product storage centre - April 2021:
semen of bovine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021;
stocks of semen of bovine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Council Directive 88/407/EEC, as amended by Council Directive 2003/43/EC, before 21 April 2021 and after 31 December 2004;
stocks of semen of bovine animals collected, processed and stored before 1 January 2005 in accordance with Council Directive 88/407/EEC applying until 1 July 2004;
oocytes and embryos of bovine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021;
stocks of in vivo derived embryos of bovine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 89/556/EEC before 21 April 2021;
stocks of in vitro produced embryos of bovine animals produced, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 89/556/EEC before 21 April 2021, conceived using semen complying with requirements of Council Directive 88/407/EEC;
stocks of in vitro produced embryos of bovine animals produced, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 89/556/EEC before 21 April 2021, conceived using semen coming from semen collection or storage centres approved by the competent authority of the exporting country
BOV-GP-PROCESSING-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of germinal products listed below, dispatched after 20 April 2021 from a germinal product processing establishment - April 2021:
semen of bovine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021;
stocks of semen of bovine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Council Directive 88/407/EEC, as amended by Council Directive 2003/43/EC, before 21 April 2021 and after 31 December 2004;
stocks of semen of bovine animals collected, processed and stored before 1 January 2005 in accordance with Council Directive 88/407/EEC applying until 1 July 2004;
oocytes and embryos of bovine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021;
stocks of in vivo derived embryos of bovine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 89/556/EEC before 21 April 2021;
stocks of in vitro produced embryos of bovine animals produced, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 89/556/EEC before 21 April 2021, conceived using semen complying with requirements of Council Directive 88/407/EEC;
stocks of in vitro produced embryos of bovine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 89/556/EEC before 21 April 2021, conceived using semen coming from semen collection or storage centres approved by the competent authority of the exporting country.
Ovine/Caprine - Semen - Dispatched from Semen Collection Center
OV/CAP-SEM-A-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of semen of ovine and caprine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021, and dispatched from a semen collection centre where the semen was collected - April 2021
OV/CAP-SEM-B-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of stocks of semen of ovine and caprine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC before 21 April 2021, and dispatched after 20 April 2021 from a semen collection centre where the semen was collected - April 2021
Ovine/Caprine - Embryos - Dispatched by Embryo Collection Production Team
OV/CAP-OOCYTES-EMB-A-Entry - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of oocytes and embryos of ovine and caprine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021 and dispatched by an embryo collection or production team by which the oocytes or embryos were collected or produced - April 2021
OV/CAP-OOCYTES-EMB-B-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of oocytes and embryos of ovine and caprine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 92/65/EEC before 21 April 2021 and dispatched by an embryo collection or production team by which the oocytes or embryos were collected or produced - April 2021
Ovine/Caprine - Germinal Products (Semen/Embryos/Oocytes) - Dispatched from Germinal Product Storage Center or Germinal Product Processing Establishment
OV/CAP-GP-STORAGE-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of germinal products listed below, dispatched from a germinal product storage centre - April 2021:
semen of ovine and caprine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021;
stocks of semen of ovine and caprine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Council Directive 92/65/EEC before 21 April 2021;
oocytes and embryos of ovine and caprine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021;
stocks of oocytes and embryos of ovine and caprine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Council Directive 92/65/EEC before 21 April 2021.
OV/CAP-GP-PROCESSING-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of germinal products listed below, dispatched after 20 April 2021 from the germinal product processing establishment - April 2021:
semen of ovine and caprine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021;
stocks of semen of ovine and caprine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Council Directive 92/65/EEC before 21 April 2021;
oocytes and embryos of ovine and caprine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021;
stocks of oocytes and embryos of ovine and caprine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Council Directive 92/65/EEC before 21 April 2021.
SUI-X - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of porcine animals and animals of the family of Tayassuidae - April 2021
Swine - Semen - Dispatched from Semen Collection Center
POR-SEM-A-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of semen of porcine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021, and dispatched from a semen collection centre where the semen was collected - April 2021
POR-SEM-B-ENTRY - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of stocks of semen of porcine animals collected, processed and stored in accordance with Directive 90/429/EEC before 21 April 2021, and dispatched after 20 April 2021 from a semen collection centre where the semen was collected - April 2021
HEP - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of hatching eggs of poultry other than ratites - January 2022
DOC - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of day-old chicks other than of ratites - April 2021
Note: Parts I and II of the day-old chick certificate must be issued by an accredited veterinarian within 10 days prior to export and must be endorsed by APHIS. Part III of the certificate must be issued on the day of hatch and does not need APHIS endorsement. The accredited veterinarian must apply a stamp to Part III containing his/her name, company name, and accreditation number. The original copy of Part III must be attached to Parts I and II of the certificate.
SPF - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of specified pathogen-free eggs - April 2021
POU-LT20 - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of less than 20 heads of poultry other than ratites - April 2021
HE-LT20 - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of less than 20 hatching eggs of poultry other than ratites - April 2021
Note: Import conditions for birds intended for zoos, conservation programs, and research are determined by the importing country. The importer should request this information from the government of the Member State of destination.
CAPTIVE- BIRDS - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of captive birds - April 2021
Note: “Captive birds” as per Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 means any non-poultry birds that are kept in captivity for any reason other than:
for the production of meat, eggs for consumption, or other products;
for the restocking supplies of game birds;
for the purpose of breeding of birds used for the types of production referred to in the first two bullet points.
"Captive birds" include those that are kept for shows, races, exhibitions, competitions, breeding or selling.
APHIS Registered Aquaculture Export Facility approval is required for the following certificate:
AQUA-ENTRY-ESTAB/RELEASE/OTHER - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of aquatic animals intended for certain aquaculture establishments, for release into the wild, or for other purposes, excluding direct human consumption - September 2021
Note: The above certificate is required to be used for aquatic animal species listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882. For non-listed species, requirements are determined by the importing Member State. The importer should request this information in writing from the government of the Member State of destination.
For species not listed, the requirements are not known. However, exporters wanting to ship livestock and/or germplasm, whose requirements are not listed above, should have the interested party (importer/buyer) in the country of destination apply for an Import Permit at the appropriate ministry. This Import Permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Before going to VEHCS: Scroll below this banner to view animal-specific requirements.
USDA Accredited Veterinarians, log in here if you wish to use VEHCS.
USDA Accredited Veterinarians, help with using VEHCS is available on the VEHCS Help Page. To walk yourself through issuing a health certificate in VEHCS, click here.
NOTE:The printed paper endorsed health certificate must accompany each shipment. You can arrange to have your endorsed health certificate returned via pick-up or by mail (a pre-paid, pre-addressed return label must be provided during certificate submission).
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