Export Live Animals to European Union

Last Modified: April 08, 2024
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For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Original ink endorsement REQUIRED

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Save Time and Money With VEHCS!

USDA-accredited veterinarians can submit health certificates for electronic signature through VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System).

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. [Post-Brexit, Great Britain no longer follows EU legislation and has its own export health certificates.]

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.

Health Certificates

Some of the health certificates posted below have had non-relevant statements removed (rather than lined out) as allowable in EU legislation. This is strictly to simplify/shorten the documents.

As of April 2021, the EU has updated all harmonized animal health certificates in accordance with the Animal Health Law. Relevant regulations are posted below for reference.

Note: Establishment Lists - TRACES NT (europa.eu) [Select “United States (US)” in the Countries bar at the top; then select “Germinal Products” for the Chapter; then view the relevant list with the eye icon or the down arrow (download) icon on the right.]

Note: All establishments of origin for live equines must be registered with USDA APHIS. Please contact the relevant Veterinary Export Trade Services (VETS) Endorsement Office to inquire how to register an establishment.

  • EQUI-X (1.5 MB) - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of domestic equidae not intended for slaughter - March 2022
  • EQUI-TRANSIT-X (199.45 KB) - Health certificate and model declaration for transit through the Union of equine animals not intended for slaughter - March 2022
  • EQUI-RE-ENTRY-30 (3.43 MB) - 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 - March 2022
  • EQUI-RE-ENTRY-90-COMP (2.08 MB) - 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) - March 2022
  • EQUI-RE-ENTRY-90-RACE (198.26 KB) - 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 - March 2022
  • Addendum for Horses Exported to EU from the United States, Staying Less than 60 days in the EU, with Subsequent Direct Travel to Canada (46.46 KB) - April 2017

Note- Inspection Document(s):
Inspection Document for Semen Collection Center (SCC) (364.13 KB) - February 2023

  • EQUI-SEM-A-ENTRY (240.12 KB) - 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 - March 2022
  • 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 (325.33 KB) - 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 (200.35 KB) - 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

Note- Inspection Document(s):
Inspection Document for Germinal Product Storage (GPS) Center (229.01 KB) - February 2023
Inspection Document for Germinal Product Processing (GPP) Establishment (232.55 KB) - February 2023

  • EQUI-GP-STORAGE-ENTRY (246.21 KB) - 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 (245.38 KB) - 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.

Note: Establishment Lists - TRACES NT (europa.eu) [Select “United States (US)” in the Countries bar at the top; then select “Germinal Products” for the Chapter; then view the relevant list with the eye icon or the down arrow (download) icon on the right.]

Note- Inspection Document(s):
Inspection Document for Semen Collection Center (SCC) (364.13 KB) - February 2023

  • BOV-SEM-A-ENTRY (254.49 KB) - 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 - March 2022
  • BOV-SEM-B-ENTRY (172.06 KB) - 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 (219.7 KB) - 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

Note- Inspection Document(s):
Inspection Document for Embryo Collection Team (ECT) (232.99 KB) - February 2023
Inspection Document for Embryo Production Team (EPT) (239.96 KB) - February 2023

  • BOV-OOCYTES-EMB-A-ENTRY (226.01 KB) - 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 - March 2022
  • BOV-in-vivo-EMB-B-ENTRY (233.28 KB) - 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 (208.35 KB) - 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 (208.32 KB) - 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

Note- Inspection Document(s):
Inspection Document for Germinal Product Storage (GPS) Center (229.01 KB) - February 2023
Inspection Document for Germinal Product Processing (GPP) Establishment (232.55 KB) - February 2023

  • BOV-GP-STORAGE-ENTRY (195.16 KB) - 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 - March 2022:
    • 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 (225.72 KB) - 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.

Note: Establishment Lists - TRACES NT (europa.eu) [Select “United States (US)” in the Countries bar at the top; then select “Germinal Products” for the Chapter; then view the relevant list with the eye icon or the down arrow (download) icon on the right.]

Note: Establishment Lists - TRACES NT (europa.eu) [Select “United States (US)” in the Countries bar at the top; then select “Germinal Products” for the Chapter; then view the relevant list with the eye icon or the down arrow (download) icon on the right.]

  • OV/CAP-SEM-A-ENTRY (252.53 KB) - 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 - March 2022
  • OV/CAP-SEM-B-ENTRY (187.7 KB) - 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

Note- Inspection Document(s):
Inspection Document for Embryo Collection Team (ECT) (232.99 KB) - February 2023
Inspection Document for Embryo Production Team (EPT) (239.96 KB) - February 2023

  • OV/CAP-OOCYTES-EMB-A-Entry (217.91 KB) - 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 - March 2022
  • OV/CAP-OOCYTES-EMB-B-ENTRY (184.18 KB) - 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

Note- Inspection Document(s):
Inspection Document for Germinal Product Storage (GPS) Center (229.01 KB) - February 2023
Inspection Document for Germinal Product Processing (GPP) Establishment (232.55 KB) - February 2023

  • OV/CAP-GP-STORAGE-ENTRY (193.27 KB) - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of germinal products listed below, dispatched from a germinal product storage centre - March 2022:
    • 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 (244.12 KB) - 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.

Note: Establishment Lists - TRACES NT (europa.eu) [Select “United States (US)” in the Countries bar at the top; then select “Germinal Products” for the Chapter; then view the relevant list with the eye icon or the down arrow (download) icon on the right.]

  • SUI-X (250.26 KB) - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of porcine animals and animals of the family of Tayassuidae - April 2021 

Note- Inspection Document(s):
Inspection Document for Semen Collection Center (SCC) (364.13 KB) - February 2023

Note: Porcine semen collected after 20 April 2021 cannot currently be exported from the United States to the EU. The health certificate below (POR-SEM-B-ENTRY) can be used for of semen collected prior to 20 April 2021.

  • POR-SEM-B-ENTRY (270.16 KB) - 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

Note: Due to detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States, the following model certificates for poultry may not be able to be endorsed: HEP, DOC, POU-LT20, and HE-LT20. Contact the relevant Veterinary Export Trade Services (VETS) Endorsement Office if there is any question about restrictions on a specific shipment. Model SPF is not affected.

  • HEP (211.14 KB) - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of hatching eggs of poultry other than ratites - September 2022
  • DOC (336.99 KB) - 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 (207.78 KB) - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of specified pathogen-free eggs - September 2022
  • POU-LT20 (238.87 KB) - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of less than 20 heads of poultry other than ratites - September 2022
  • HE-LT20 (242.22 KB) - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of less than 20 hatching eggs of poultry other than ratites - April 2021

Note- Inspection Document(s):
Inspection Document for Captive Bird Establishment (327.2 KB) - February 2023

  • CAPTIVE- BIRDS (188.27 KB) - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of captive birds other than racing pigeons immediately released after entry - January 2022
  • HE - CAPTIVE BIRDS (180.54 KB) - Health certificate for entry into the Union of hatching eggs 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.

Listed Species

The following certificate must be used for aquatic animal species listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 (i.e., “listed species”) regardless of which EU country is the destination. APHIS Registered Aquaculture Export Facility approval is required, when exporting listed species.

Relevant Resources Regarding the European Union’s Pathogens of Concern 

Unlisted Species

For aquatic animal species that are NOT listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 (i.e, “unlisted species”), requirements are determined by the importing country in the EU. The importer should request this information in writing from the government of the EU country of destination.

If the government officials of the importing country advise the use of the AQUA-ENTRY-ESTAB/RELEASE/OTHER certificate, the following modified version may be used:

Note:

  • APHIS does NOT list or validate these exporters in TRACES-NT.
  • RAEF approval is not required to use this modified AQUA-ENTRY-ESTAB/RELEASE/OTHER UNLISTED certificate.
  • This certificate is not the only certificate that can be used for unlisted species but is an option if the BCP or importing country advise the use of the AQUA-ENTRY-ESTAB/RELEASE/OTHER model certificate for export of an unlisted species.
  • CANIS-FELIS-FERRETS (1.27 MB) - Health certificate for the entry into the Union of dogs, cats and ferrets - April 2021

Pets

Visit the APHIS Pet Travel Website for information about exporting your pets.
 

If your species is not listed, the requirements for that species are not known. Exporters who want to ship livestock or germplasm whose requirements are not listed above should have the importer or buyer in the destination country apply for an import permit at the appropriate ministry. This import permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.

Need Help?

Export Trade Services (by State)

APHIS has animal health officials available nationwide with expertise in export requirements for animals. Contact your nearest office for questions about endorsing an export or health certificate for live animals. 

All Contacts