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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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European Union

Last Modified: Jan 25, 2021
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IRegs for LIVE Animals

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 Acccepted
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).

The Member States of the European Union (EU) are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.  [The United Kingdom (UK) has left the EU and is now considered a third country.]

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.

Equine

Note: Most of the export health certificates for equine commodities to the European Union require that Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) has not occurred in the U.S. during the last 6 months OR the animal must be tested for VS.  The final quarantine for the most recent VS outbreak was released on October 15, 2020.  If there are no new cases, testing for VS will be required until April 15, 2021.

  • Live Horses

Note: List of EU-Approved Equine Semen Collection Centers and Equine Semen Storage Centers (scroll to bottom of the page and click on “United States”)

Note: List of EU-Approved Equine Embryo Collection Teams (scroll to bottom of the page and click on “United States”)

Cattle

  • Bovine - Embryos

Note: For in vivo-derived embryos collected in accordance with Council Directive 89/556/EEC

Note: For in vitro-derived embryos, conceived using semen complying with Council Directive 88/407/EEC (eligible for intra-Community trade)

Note: For in vitro-derived embryos, conceived using semen coming from an approved semen collection/storage center (excluded from intra-Community trade)  

Note: Additional information about Exporting Bovine Embryos to the EU (scroll down to section II. Embryos)   

Note: List of EU-Approved Bovine Embryo Collection and Production Teams (click on "United States" at bottom of the page)

  • Bovine - Semen

Note: For imports into and transits through the EU of bovine semen dispatched from a semen collection center where the semen was collected 

Note: For bovine semen collected, processed and stored before 31 December 2004 and dispatched from a collection center where the semen was collected

Note: For imports into and transits through the EU of bovine semen dispatched from a semen storage center

Note: Additional information about Exporting Bovine Semen to EU

Note: List of EU-Approved Bovine Semen Collection Centers and Bovine Semen Storage Centers (click on "United States" at bottom of the page)

Sheep and Goats

  • Ovine/Caprine - Semen

Note: Additional information about Export of Ovine/Caprine Semen to the EU

  • Ovine/Caprine - Embryos

Note: Additional information about Export of Ovine/Caprine Semen and Embryos to the EU

Swine

  • Live Swine
  • Swine - Semen

Note: Additional information about Export of Porcine Semen to the EU

Note List of EU-Approved Porcine Semen Collection Centers (click on "United States" at bottom of page)

Poultry

Note: Part 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 Part II of the certificate.

Birds (non-Poultry)

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.

Note: "Captive bred birds" is defined as "birds that have not been caught in the wild but have been born and bred in captivity from parents that mated or had gametes otherwise transferred in captivity."  This includes raptors.  This does not apply to poultry (fowl, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, quail, pheasants, partridges), pigeons, ratites, birds for conservation programs, pets, or birds intended for research, zoos, or amusement parks/circuses.

Aquatic Animals


APHIS Registered Aquaculture Export Facility approval is required for the following certificate:

  • Directive 2006/88/EC - On page 52 is the list of species susceptible to EHN, Bonamia exitiosa, Perkinsus marinus, Microcytos mackini, taura syndrome, yellowhead disease, VHS, IHN, KHV, ISA, Marteilia refringens, Bonamia ostreae, white spot disease

Research / Laboratory Animals

Note: For research animals destined for bodies, institutes or centers approved in accordance with Annex C to Directive 92/65/EEC

Pets

Visit the APHIS Pet Travel Website for information about exporting your pets.
For species not listed, the requirements are not known. However, exporters wanting to ship livestock 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.


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