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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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Last Modified: Jul 24, 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 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).

The United Kingdom (UK) has left the European Union (EU) but will continue to accept the previous versions of harmonized EU Health Certificates as long as they are endorsed by September 30, 2021. Endorsements on or after October 1, 2021, must be the new Great Britain Health Certificates which are posted below and on GOV.UK.

Note: Northern Ireland will continue to follow the EU regulations, including health certificates. Refer to the EU IRegs for shipments entering the UK through Northern Ireland.

***Note: Now that the UK is a third country, separate transit certificates are required as applicable.***

Equine

  • Live Horses

Note: List of UK-Approved Equine Semen Collection Centers and Equine Semen Storage Centers

Note: List of UK-Approved Equine Embryo Collection Teams

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: List of UK-Approved Bovine Embryo Collection and Production Teams

  • Bovine - Semen

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

Note: List of UK-Approved Bovine Semen Collection Centers and Bovine Semen Storage Centers

Sheep and Goats

  • Ovine/Caprine - Semen
  • Ovine/Caprine - Embryos

Swine

  • Live Swine
  • Swine - Semen

Note List of UK-Approved Porcine Semen Collection Centers

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" are 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:

Research / Laboratory Animals

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

Other Animals

    • Click here for additional information about export of canine and feline semen from the United States to the United Kingdom.

Note: This model health certificate is not required to be used. If another certificate is presented and contains the necessary information as described here, it may be endorsed.

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 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.


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