Export Live Animals to United Kingdom (Great Britain)
Important Port of Entry Information
Not all Boder Control Posts (BCP) can receive all live animal commodities. Please visit the link below to select a port of entry in Great Britain that allows entry or transit of your commodity. The abbreviation key or glossary can be found at the bottom of the page.
*The United Kingdom includes Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) and Northern Ireland; however, Northern Ireland continues to follow EU regulations (including health certificates) post-Brexit. Therefore, this page refers specifically to Great Britain. Refer to the EU IRegs for shipments to Northern Ireland.
Note: Due to detection of Vesicular Stomatitis in the United States, testing options must be used in relevant equine certificates.
- Equine - Temporary Admission of Registered Horse for Less than 90 days - GBHC650 - Health Certificate (432.69 KB)- April 2024
- Equine-Transit of Live Equidae- GBHC651 - Health Certificate (950.49 KB) - March 2024
- Equine -Re-entry of Registered Horses for Racing, - Competition, and Cultural Events after Temporary Export for Less than 30 days- GBHC652-Health Certificate (764.66 KB)– March 2024
- Equine- Re-entry of Registered Horses in - FEI-Organized Equestrian Events after Temporary Export for Less than 90 days- GBHC653-Health Certificate (782.12 KB) – March 2024
- Equine Re-entry of Registered Horses after Temporary Export for Less than 90 days in non-EU Countries – GBHC654 – Health Certificate (237.04 KB)- March 2024
- Equine - Permanent Admission - Individual Registered Horse - GBHC655 - Health Certificate (366.13 KB) - April 2024
Note: List of UK-Approved Germplasm (Semen and Embryo) Establishments. [Click on “List of establishments in non-EU countries approved to export animal products to GB” and use the dropdown arrows at the top of each column to filter Column A-Country Name to only display “United States of America” and Column B-Sector to “Semen-and-Embryo.” Further filter or search as necessary.]
Note - Inspection Document(s):
Equine - Semen - Collection Center (SCC) Inspection Document - April 2023
Equine - Semen - Storage Center (SSC) Inspection Document - April 2023
- Equine - Semen- Collected after 30 September 2014 and Dispatched from the Semen Collection Center of Origin- Model 1 – GBHC810 – Health Certificate (226.56 KB) – March 2024
- Equine-Semen-Collected after 31 August 2010 and before 1 October 2014 and Dispatched from the Semen Collection Center of Origin- Model 2- GBHC811-Health Certificate (282.46 KB) - August 2023
- Equine - Semen- Collected before 1 September 2010 and Dispatched from the Semen Collection Center of Origin – Model 3- GBHC812 – Health Certificate - March 2024
- Equine -Semen- Dispatched from a Semen Storage Center- Model 4 – GBHC813 Health Certificate (777.96 KB)- March 2024
Note - Inspection Document(s):
Equine - Embryo – Collection/Production Team (ECT/EPT) Inspection Document (384.22 KB) - April 2023
Note: List of UK-Approved Germplasm (Semen and Embryo) Establishments. [Click on “List of establishments in non-EU countries approved to export animal products to GB” and use the dropdown arrows at the top of each column to filter Column A-Country Name to only display “United States of America” and Column B-Sector to “Semen-and-Embryo.” Further filter or search as necessary.]
Note- Inspection Document(s):
Bovine - Embryo – Collection/Production Team (ECT/EPT) Inspection Document (338.11 KB) - April 2023
- Bovine- Embryos – Annex II – GBHC803 - Health Certificate (228.17 KB) – April 2024
- Bovine- Embryos – Annex III – GBHC804 - Health Certificate (208.63 KB) – March 2024
- Note: For in vitro-derived embryos, conceived using semen complying with Council Directive 88/407/EEC
- Bovine- Embryos – Annex IV – GBHC805–Health Certificate (813.1 KB) – March 2024
- Note: For in vitro-derived embryos, conceived using semen coming from an approved semen collection/storage center.
Note- Inspection Document(s):
Bovine - Semen - Collection Center (SCC) Inspection Document - April 2023
Bovine - Semen - Storage Center (SSC) Inspection Document - April 2023
- Bovine – Semen – Model 1 – GBHC800 – Health Certificate – March 2024
- Note: For imports into and transits through the UK of bovine semen dispatched from a semen collection center where the semen was collected
- Bovine- Semen Model 2 - GBHC801 -Health Certificate– April 2024
- Note: For bovine semen collected, processed, and stored before 31 December 2004 and dispatched from a collection center where the semen was collected
- Bovine- Semen-Storage – Model 3-GBHC802-Health Certificate - April 2024
- Note: For imports into and transits through the UK of bovine semen dispatched from a semen storage center
- Council Directive 88/407/EEC
Note: List of UK-Approved Germplasm (Semen and Embryo) Establishments. [Click on “List of establishments in non-EU countries approved to export animal products to GB” and use the dropdown arrows at the top of each column to filter Column A-Country Name to only display “United States of America” and Column B-Sector to “Semen-and-Embryo.” Further filter or search as necessary.]
Note- Inspection Document(s):
Ovine and Caprine - Semen - Collection Center (SCC) Inspection Document - April 2023
Ovine and Caprine - Semen - Storage Center (SSC) Inspection Document - April 2023
- Ovine and Caprine – Semen – GBHC820 – Health Certificate - March 2024
- Note: For imports into and transits through the UK of ovine/caprine semen dispatched from a semen collection center where the semen was collected.
- Ovine and Caprine – Semen – GBHC821 – Health Certificate – March 2024
- Note: For imports into and transits through the UK of ovine/caprine semen dispatched from a semen storage center.
- Annex D of Directive 92/65/EEC - November 2017
Note- Inspection Document(s):
Ovine and Caprine - Embryo – Collection/Production Team (ECT/EPT) Inspection Document (185.95 KB)- April 2023
- Ovine and Caprine – Embryos- GBHC822 – Health Certificate (811.76 KB) - March 2024
- Annex D of Directive 92/65/EEC (228.07 KB) - November 2017
Live Swine
Note: Due to detection of Vesicular Stomatitis in the United States, testing option must be used in certificate below (GBHC017X).
- Breeding Swine - GBHC680 - Health Certificate (234.96 KB) - April 2024
Swine - Semen - Dispatched from Semen Collection Center
Note: List of UK-Approved Germplasm (Semen and Embryo) Establishments. [Click on “List of establishments in non-EU countries approved to export animal products to GB” and use the dropdown arrows at the top of each column to filter Column A-Country Name to only display “United States of America” and Column B-Sector to “Semen-and-Embryo.” Further filter or search as necessary.]
Note: Inspection Document(s):
Porcine - Semen - Collection Center (SCC) Inspection Document (155.95 KB) - April 2023
For industry members needing to evaluate trade restriction zones, routes of travel, and generate maps, the Veterinary Services Trade Route Mapping Tool has been developed to support these processes. Follow the steps in the document entitled "Veterinary Services Trade Route Mapping Tool Access Guide" below to access the Trade Route Mapping Tool.
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: Hatching eggs, Day-old Chicks, Poultry 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.
- Hatching Eggs – Non-Ratite - GBHC692 – Health Certificate – March 2024
- Day-old Chicks - Non-Ratite - GBHC691 - Health Certificate - April 2024
- 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.
- SPF Eggs – GBHC696 - Health Certificate – March 2024
- Less than 20 Poultry (Non-Ratite, Hatching Eggs or Day-old Chicks) – GBHC694 – Health Certificate – March 2024
- Birds for Approved Bodies for Conservation Programs – GBHC612 BAB – Health Certificate – March 2024
- Captive Bred Birds - GBHC610 CBB – Health Certificate – March 2024
- 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.
- Checklist for Approval of Captive Bred Bird Breeding Establishments - March 2013
Taking a Pet to Another Country?
- Ornamental Aquatic Animals Intended for Closed Ornamental Facilities -GBHC671 -Health Certificate - April 2024
APHIS Registered Aquaculture Export Facility approval is required for the following certificate:
- Research Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets - GHC640 - Health Certificate - April 2024
- Note: For research animals destined for bodies, institutes, or centers approved in accordance with Annex C to Directive 92/65/EEC
- Canine - Semen - Model Health Certificate - August 2020
- 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.
- Additional information about export of canine and feline semen from the United States to the United Kingdom.
- GBHC721 Model Health Certificate for Primates (Simiae and Prosimiae)
- Export of Primates (Simiae and Prosimiae) must meet establishment requirements and be registered with USDA prior to export. Contact your nearest VETS Office to request an inspection of the establishment if your facility has never been inspected to export non-human primates.
- Inspection checklist can be found at Council Directive 92/65EEC Annex C.
- Export of Primates (Simiae and Prosimiae) must meet establishment requirements and be registered with USDA prior to export. Contact your nearest VETS Office to request an inspection of the establishment if your facility has never been inspected to export non-human primates.
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) and for issuance of health certificates.
Find a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian
USDA Endorsement Offices
Contact your nearest APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services Endorsement Office for questions about endorsing an export health certificate for live animals.