Export Live Animals to France
Summary of Requirements
This country is a Member State of the European Union (EU). Bilingual health certificates are available for some commodities/species (see below). If the bilingual certificate for that species or commodity is not listed below, please refer to the English version on the EU IRegs webpage. It is the responsibility of the exporter to obtain a bilingual certificate if it is not listed below.
The European Union (EU) has updated all of their harmonized health certificates in accordance with their Animal Health Law. The new export health certificates are posted on the EU IRegs. Regularly check the EU IRegs for the most up-to-date information regarding live animal exports to the EU.
It is the responsibility of the exporter to obtain a bilingual certificate if it is not available on the relevant Member State IRegs page. If you need to create a bilingual version of a harmonized EU certificate, please contact LAIE@usda.gov with your request, and we will provide you the necessary documents.
Note: Some health certificates may have had non-relevant statements removed (rather than lined out) as allowed in EU legislation, which is strictly to simplify/shorten the documents.
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.
- Equine - Semen - Dispatched from Semen Collection Center
- EQUI-sem-a-entry (335.85 KB) (380.98 KB) (380.98 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 - August 2024
- NEW MODEL ANIMAL HEALTH/OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE AND MODEL DECLARATION FOR THE ENTRY INTO THE UNION OF EQUINE ANIMALS. (433.53 KB)OCTOBER - 2026
- NOTE: Important Certificate Note: Public Health statements II.6 and II.6a have been removed from the Equi-X certificate because the United States does not export live horses for slaughter or human consumption. Based on foot note (9) of the certificate, live horses need the identification documents/horse passports to say that the horse is not meant for slaughter. The port of entry may hold the horse if this information is not provided. If you have any questions contact LAIE@usda.gov
Hatching Eggs - Model Animal health/official certificate (783.67 KB) for the entry into the Union of hatching eggs of poultry other than ratites - 2025
Day-old-chicks (DOC) - Model Animal health/official certificate (945.08 KB) for the entry into the Union of day-old chicks other than ratites - 2025
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.
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.
Bovine - Semen - Dispatched from Semen Collection Center
- New BOV-SEM-A-ENTRY - MODEL ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE FOR THE ENTRY INTO THE UNION OF CONSIGNMENTS OF SEMEN OF BOVINE ANIMALS COLLECTED, PROCESSED AND STORED IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION (EU) 2016/429 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL AND COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2020/692 AFTER 20 APRIL 2021, DISPATCHED FROM THE SEMEN COLLECTION CENTRE WHERE THE SEMEN WAS COLLECTED (MODEL “BOV-SEM-A-ENTRY”) - 2025
- BOV-SEM-B-ENTRY (822.53 KB) -MODEL ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE FOR THE ENTRY INTO THE UNION OF CONSIGNMENTS 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, DISPATCHED AFTER 20 APRIL 2021 FROM THE SEMEN COLLECTION CENTRE WHERE THE SEMEN WAS COLLECTED- 2025
- BOV-GP-STORAGE-ENTRY (841.66 KB)- MODEL ANIMAL 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- 2025
- BOV-OOCYTES-EMB-A-Entry (794.15 KB) - Model animal health certificate for the entry into the Union of consignments of oocytes and embryos of bovine animals collected or produced, processed and stored in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 after 20 April 2021, dispatched by the embryo collection or production team by which the oocytes or embryos were collected or produced- 2025
- Canine - Semen - Health Certificate (65.03 KB) - July 2016
- Live Annelids - Only a Commercial Document is Required (No Health Certificate)
Taking a Pet to Another Country?
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?
USDA-Accredited Veterinarians
Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country's entry requirements for animals (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments); issuance of health certificates; and status updates on certificate endorsement.
APHIS Endorsement Offices
APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services (VETS) offers commodity-specific expertise for exporting animals. Use the dropdown to contact us with questions about endorsing health certificates. For quickest help, see tips for exporters and accredited veterinarians.