European Union - Feathers, Parts of Feathers, Down

Last Modified: April 29, 2024

Untreated Feathers/Parts of Feathers/Down

The EU prohibits the import of untreated feathers.

Treated Feathers/Parts of Feathers/Down Carried by Travelers for Their Private Use or Consignments of Treated Feathers/parts of feathers/down sent to private individuals for non-industry purposes 

No documentation or approval is required in these cases. However, for treated feathers not carried by travelers in their passenger baggage, the border inspection post (BIP) through which the consignment enters the EU must be satisfied that the materials are treated, and that they are being sent for non-industry purposes.

Exporters should always have their importers check with the BIP prior to shipment to confirm that no documentation is required in the case of consignments sent to private individuals for non-industry purposes.

Other Treated Feathers/Parts of Feathers/Down

Consignments of treated feathers must come from facilities approved by APHIS under Regulation (EU) 142/2011. For information on the requirements to obtain this approval, please contact your local Field Operations Veterinary Export Trade Services.

The consignment 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 (this facility must be approved by APHIS under Regulation (EU) 142/2011 and listed in TRACES);
  5. Name and address of the consignor (this facility must be approved by APHIS under Regulation (EU) 142/2011 and listed in TRACES);
  6. Name and address of the consignee;
  7. Verification that the feathers/parts of feathers/down were “treated with a steam current” or treated by another method (if the “another method” is utilized, it should be detailed, and the exporter should have their importer confirm prior to shipment that it is acceptable to the pertinent BIP);
  8. Verification that the feathers/parts of feathers/down were “securely enclosed in packaging and dry” prior to export.
  9. (Required only if the consignment is not being shipped directly to an approved establishment in the EU for further treatment): Verification that the feathers/parts of feathers/down were “factory-washed and treated with hot steam at 100oC for at least 30 minutes” prior to export.
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