European Union - Research and Diagnostic Samples

Last Modified: March 15, 2024

The European Union (EU) defines “research and diagnostic samples” as animal by-products and derived products intended for the following purposes: examination in the context of diagnostic activities or analysis for the promotion of progress in science and technology, in the context of educational or research activities.

These samples may not exceed 2000 ml in quantity.

No government export certificate or APHIS approval is required by the EU or available for the export of research and diagnostic samples to the EU. For exceptions, please view the pages for the specific EU destination country and the EU country of the Border Inspection Post (BIP) (if different than the destination country).

Requirements to export “research and diagnostic samples” to the EU:

  1. The importer in the EU must contact the Ministry of Animal Health in the importing EU country and obtain permission to import the samples. The EU authority should explain to the importer the importer’s obligations related to the import.
  2. 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 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];
    3. Quantity of the material;
    4. Place of dispatch of the material;
    5. Name and address of the consignor; and
    6. Name and address of the consignee.
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