Guidance

General licences and authorisations to import live animals or animal products

Licences and authorisations to import genetic material, research and diagnostic samples, trade samples and display items, and some live animals and animal products.

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published
18 March 2015
Last updated
15 April 2025 鈥� See all updates

Imports of most animals and animal products are covered by UK legislation. Check the import information notes to find out if your import is covered.

If your import has an import information note, you must follow the conditions in the note.

If your import does not have an import information note you may need a general licence or authorisation.

You can use an existing general licence or authorisation to import:

If a general licence or authorisation for what you want to import does not exist, contact the APHA imports team.

Genetic material

Licences for semen, ova and embryos from:

  • livestock
  • canines
  • felines
  • rodents
  • lagomorphs (hares, rabbits and pikas)
  • equines

These are for products entering England from:

  • the Channel Islands
  • Northern Ireland
  • Isle of Man
  • countries outside the EU

Licences:

  • (PDF, 2.21 MB, 3 pages)
  • (PDF, 1.75 MB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 64.1 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 469 KB, 4 pages)
  • (PDF, 510 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 272 KB, 4 pages)
  • (PDF, 62.5 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 587 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 139 KB, 6 pages)
  • (PDF, 56.8 KB, 3 pages)
  • (PDF, 166 KB, 3 pages)

Live animals

Licences and authorisations for:

  • domestic and non-domestic livestock (cattle, pigs, sheep, goats)
  • poultry, birds and equidae (horses, ponies, donkeys)
  • insects

These are for animals entering England from:

  • the Channel Islands
  • Northern Ireland
  • Isle of Man
  • non-EU countries

Captive or pet birds

  • (PDF, 550 KB, 4 pages)

Cattle

  • (PDF, 120 KB, 3 pages)
  • (PDF, 180 KB, 3 pages), and amendment notice (PDF, 118 KB, 1 page)
  • (PDF, 135 KB, 3 pages)

Insects

  • (PDF, 166 KB, 3 pages)

Sheep and goats

  • (PDF, 130 KB, 3 pages)
  • (PDF, 68.6 KB, 3 pages)
  • (PDF, 110 KB, 4 pages)

Poultry

  • (PDF, 45.1 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 71.1 KB, 2 pages)

Pigs

  • (PDF, 78.9 KB, 3 pages)
  • (PDF, 119 KB, 4 pages)
  • (PDF, 128 KB, 3 pages)

Other non-domestic hoofed animals

  • (PDF, 126 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 130 KB)

Products for human consumption

Licences and authorisations for animal products entering England from EU and non-EU countries.

  • (PDF, 145 KB, 3 pages)
  • (PDF, 1.02 MB, 3 pages) - Animal derived dairy starter cultures/cheese making kits/enzymes/media cultures for the manufacture of certain food products. Country of origin: Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA
  • Glucosamine, chondroitin and chitosan-livestock, poultry, fish (IMP/GEN/2015/05) - This authorisation has been revoked as the import conditions are now provided for in EU legislation and an authorisation is no longer required. A summary of the import conditions are available in Import Information Note IIN GCC/1.
  • Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Chitosan derived from bovine, ovine, caprine, porcine animals, swine, poultry and fishery products. Country of origin: Certain EU approved third countries
  • (PDF, 108 KB, 3 pages) - Composite products for human consumption, containing no meat/unprocessed animal products (must not contain more than 50% of any other animal products). Country of origin: All non-EU countries, except when the composite product contains dairy products the dairy product must come from an EU approved country.
  • Certain products not subject to veterinary checks (IMP/GEN/2007/01) 鈥� This licence has been revoked due to amendments to Annex II of Commission Decision 2007/275/EC. An import licence is no longer required. Guidance on the relevant import conditions for the revised Annex II products is available in our Composite products for human consumption from Third Countries (IIN CP/1) Import Information Note. All products must meet the relevant requirements of this legislation
  • Various finished products for human consumption (check licence for full list). Country of origin: All non-EU countries
  • (PDF, 288 KB, 3 pages)
  • (PDF, 133 KB, 3 pages)
  • (PDF, 119 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 275 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 284 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 283 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 268 KB, 3 pages)

Products not for human consumption

Licences and authorisations for:

  • research and diagnostic samples
  • animal by-products with official controls at the border
  • animal by-products without official controls at the border (excluding research and diagnostic samples)

Research and diagnostic samples

Research and diagnostic samples are animal by-products or derived products that will be either:

  • examined in the context of diagnostic activities
  • analysed for the promotion of progress in science and technology in the context of educational and research activities

If you are importing research and diagnostic samples, you must comply with the import conditions in 鈥業mport of Research and Diagnostic Samples鈥�.

You must also use import authorisations for research and diagnostic samples:

  • coming to England from non-EU countries
  • coming to Great Britain from EU countries from 1 February 2025

If there is no appropriate general import authorisation for your product, you must apply to APHA for a specific import authorisation.

Research and diagnostic samples are not subject to risk categorisation under the Border Target Operating Model.

The following import authorisations are for research and diagnostic samples coming from EU and European Free Trade Association member states:

  • (PDF, 163 KB, 6 pages)

The following import authorisations are for research and diagnostic samples coming from countries that are not EU or European Free Trade Association member states:

  • (PDF, 2.22 MB, 5 pages)
  • (PDF, 159 KB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all countries
  • (PDF, 427 KB, 4 pages)
  • (PDF, 165 KB, 4 pages)
  • (PDF, 222 KB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all third countries
  • (PDF, 238 KB, 7 pages) - Country of origin: all third countries
  • (PDF, 1 MB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all third countries
  • (PDF, 2.21 MB, 6 pages) - Country of origin: all third countries
  • (PDF, 894 KB, 4 pages) - Heat treated organs, glands, blood or other tissues from ungulates born and bred in captivity from certain Third countries. Country of origin: Australia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand and USA. (PDF, 106 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 877 KB, 4 pages) - Heat treated organs, glands, blood, other tissues from domestic, zoo and laboratory mammals born and bred in captivity excl ungulates and primates. Country of origin: all non-EU countries. (PDF, 99.2 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 938 KB, 4 pages) - Heat treated eggs and egg product samples from certain Third countries. Country of origin: Third countries in Part 1, Annex II to Reg (EU) 206/2010 and third countries or parts thereof authorised for imports of fresh poultry meat (Reg (EC) No 798/2008 (as amended (PDF, 110 KB, 3 pages))
  • (PDF, 901 KB, 4 pages) - Ultra heat treated (UHT) milk samples from certain third countries. Country of origin: Countries listed in column B of Regulation (EU) No 605/2010 (as amended (PDF, 110 KB, 3 pages))
  • (PDF, 256 KB, 4 pages) - Samples of products from mammals or birds for research and diagnostic purposes and not intended for resale. Country of origin: Channel Islands
  • (PDF, 99.6 KB, 5 pages) - Animal tissue derived from mammals and birds fixed in formalin intended for research use. Country of origin: Third countries or parts thereof authorised for imports of fresh bovine meat listed in Part I of Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010
  • (PDF, 838 KB, 4 pages) - Any product derived from fish, reptiles and invertebrates from certain Third countries. Country of origin: Australia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand and USA.] (as amended (PDF, 110 KB, 3 pages))
  • (PDF, 807 KB, 4 pages) - Processed feather samples from Third Countries. Country of origin: All non-EU countries. (PDF, 106 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 1.11 MB, 6 pages) - Whole carcases, or parts thereof and certain other materials from animals of the Family Canidae, Family Felidae. Order Rodentia and Order Lagomorpha born and bred in captivity. Country of origin: Australia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand and USA. (PDF, 101 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 133 KB, 4 pages) - Honey intended for educational, research and diagnostic purposes. Country of origin: All third countries. (PDF, 98.1 KB, 2 pages)

Animal by-products with official controls at a border control post (BCP)

Import authorisations for animal by-products not for human consumption that must enter England through a designated BCP. 聽

The following import authorisations are for animal by products coming from countries that are not EU or European Free Trade Association member states:

  • (PDF, 379 KB, 4 pages)
  • (PDF, 159 KB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all countries
  • (PDF, 2.59 MB, 4 pages) - Country of origin: From third countries listed as a Member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in the OIE bulletin
  • (PDF, 35.8 KB, 1 page)
  • (PDF, 80.1 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 381 KB, 4 pages)
  • (PDF, 165 KB, 4 pages)
  • (PDF, 1.51 MB, 3 pages)
  • (PDF, 61.5 KB, 5 pages) - Animal tissue derived from mammals and birds fixed in formalin intended as a display item. Country of origin: Third countries or parts thereof authorised for imports of fresh bovine meat listed in Part I of Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010

The following import authorisations are for animal by products coming from EU and European Free Trade Association member states.

  • (PDF, 120 KB, 3 pages)
  • (PDF, 151 KB, 5 pages)
  • (PDF, 122 KB, 3 pages)
  • (PDF, 150 KB, 5 pages)

Animal by-products without official controls at a border control post (BCP)

Licences for animal by-products not for human consumption that do not need to enter England through a designated BCP.

These licences are for products coming from EU and non-EU countries:

  • (PDF, 1.11 MB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all countries
  • (PDF, 51.3 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 50.9 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 68.5 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 52.9 KB, 2 pages) - Hides and skins of ungulates that have undergone the complete process of tanning, wet blue hides and skins of ungulates, pickled pelts and limed hides
  • (PDF, 380 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 50.3 KB, 2 pages)
  • (PDF, 115 KB, 3 pages)
  • (PDF, 85.9 KB, 3 pages) - Products and Substances for which a valid licence exists under certain Pathogens and Medicines legislation listed in condition 1 of the licence. Country of origin: All countries
  • (PDF, 71.6 KB, 2 pages) - Certain: DNA, plasmid DNA or RNA; stem cells derived from laboratory born and reared animals certain proteins; antibodies peptides and polypeptides; cell cultures. Country of origin: All non-EU countries

Updates to this page

Published 18 March 2015
Last updated 15 April 2025 show all updates

  1. We have updated the 'Dog or cat semen from donors compliant with regulation 576/2013 (IMP/GEN/2024/10)'. The general licence has been updated to include a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011 as an acceptable form of identification.

  2. Replaced 2 authorisations in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Hungary, which affects the import of certain products from Austria. Replaced 'EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2025/03)' with 'EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2025/05)'. Replaced 'EU display items (IMP/GEN/2025/04)' with 'EU display items (IMP/GEN/2025/06)'.

  3. Replaced 2 authorisations in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Hungary: 鈥� replaced 'EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2025/01)' with 'EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2025/03)' 鈥� replaced 'EU display items (IMP/GEN/2025/02)' with 'EU display items (IMP/GEN/2025/04)'

  4. Replaced authorisation 'EU display items IMP/GEN/2024/06' with 'EU display items IMP/GEN/2025/02', and authorisation 'EU non-harmonised animal by-products IMP/GEN/2024/08' with 'EU non-harmonised animal by-products IMP/GEN/2025/01'. This is in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Germany.

  5. Added a new import authorisation for: - Research and diagnostic samples from EU and EFTA member states (IMP/GEN/2024/13) 鈥� this is required from 1 February 2025 Updated the following import authorisations: - Certain products in 3% or less animal by-product carrier/stabilizer (IMP/GEN/14/02) - Certain products for in vitro use with 10% or less animal by-product carrier/stabilizer (IMP/GEN/2015/06) - EU trade samples (IMP/GEN/2024/05) - EU display items (IMP/GEN/2024/06) - Certain materials for purposes other than feeding to farmed land animals (IMP/GEN/2024/07) - EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2024/08)

  6. Added a new general licence (IMP/GEN/2024/12) for movements of ovine and caprine ova and embryos from Northern Ireland.

  7. Updated 2 licences: - General licence to import certain products for in vitro use with 10% or less animal by-product carrier or stabilizer (IMP/GEN/2015/06) - General licence to import certain products in 3% or less animal by-product carrier or stabiliser (IMP/GEN/14/02).

  8. Updated 2 general licences: - Dog or cat semen from donors compliant with regulation 576/2013 or 998/2003 (IMP/GEN/2024/10) - Import of laboratory produced rodent or lagomorph embryos, ova and semen to a research facility in Great Britain (IMP/GEN/2024/11)

  9. The authorisation for 'Treated milk and milk-based products and treated blood products, for use as a stabiliser or carrier (not exceeding 3% concentration)' has been replaced with an amended version.

  10. Updated information about products not for human consumption, including licences and authorisations.

  11. Updated the document 鈥楢uthorisation for dairy products and raw milk for human consumption that have undergone a lower heat treatment than pasteurisation (IMP/GEN/2024/01)鈥� under 鈥楶roducts for human consumption鈥�. The document now includes a link to a model health certificate.

  12. A document about authorisation for products under Trade in Animals and Related Products (TARP) has been added to products for human consumption.

  13. Removed 'Hay and straw from third countries (IMP/GEN/2020/01)', which has been revoked. Added 'Hay and straw from third countries (IMP/GEN/2023/02)'.

  14. Licence for category 3 animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2009/03): The country of origin is EU countries, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

  15. Added authorisation IMP/GEN/2023/01 for drosophila melanogaster to the live animals section.

  16. Updated amendment notice IMPGEN/2014/09 for import of cattle from the Channel Islands with a further change to condition 4.

  17. Revoked licence number L/96/2 for sheep and goats and added a new general licence IMP/GEN/2022/01 for sheep and goats in Northern Ireland.

  18. Removed the Embryos, ova and semen from third countries (IMP/GEN/2012/03) general licence as it is out of date.

  19. Removed the 'Hay and straw from EU and certain other European countries (IMP/GEN/2011/08)' and 'Hay and straw from third countries (IMP/GEN/2020/01)' licences. These are being reviewed due to the risk of African swine fever entering the UK.

  20. Updated general licence for genetic material - added IMP/GEN/2021/01 which replaces IMP/GEN/2012/06.

  21. Updated hay and straw from third countries licence to IMP/GEN/2020/01.

  22. Added bovine ova and embryos from the Channel Islands general licence

  23. Updated the samples from EU countries: facilitation letter

  24. Updated dog or cat semen from donors compliant with regulation 576/2013 or 998/2003

  25. Added IMP/GEN/2019/01 (for import of bovine semen from the Channel Island).

  26. Updated general licences for research and diagnostic samples - added IMP/GEN/18/03 and IMP/GEN/18/04 which replaces IMP/GEN/14/03 and IMP/GEN/14/04.

  27. Amendment notice about Jersey being declared officially free of EBL disease for IMP/GEN/2014/09 (cattle) added.

  28. Updated the licence for "Imports of pearls in oyster shells (containing oyster flesh) in ready to sell containers not for human consumption".

  29. Removed the 'Certain finished manufactured products general licence (TAY/GEN/94/1144)' as it is out of date.

  30. Updated to reflect that the 'Certain products not subject to veterinary checks (IMP/GEN/2007/01)' licence has been revoked.

  31. Captive or pet birds general licences - added IMP/GEN/2017/02 which replaces general licences IMP/GEN/2011/07 and IMP/GEN/2004/7

  32. Updated IMP/GEN/2016/12 to version including signature, date of issue and stamp.

  33. Added general licence for the import of meat extracts or meat concentrates (IMP/GEN/2017/01).

  34. Updated to reflect that the 'Glucosamine, chondroitin and chitosan-livestock, poultry, fish (IMP/GEN/2015/05)' authorisation has been revoked.

  35. Added general authorisations for gelatine capsules for human consumption: IMP/GEN/2016/07, IMP/GEN/2016/08, IMP/GEN/2016/09, IMP/GEN/2016/10, IMP/GEN/2016/11 and IMP/GEN/2016/12.

  36. Removed the Pet health feed and supplements (TAY/GEN/2005/912) licence as it is out of date.

  37. Added general licence for import of bovine ova and embryos from Northern Ireland (IMP-GEN-2016-05).

  38. Updated the licence: Import of laboratory produced Rodent or Lagomorph Embryos/Ova/Semen to a research facility in Great Britain (IMP/GEN/RM37).

  39. Added general licence for import of laboratory produced Rodent or Lagomorph Embryos/Ova/Semen to a research facility in Great Britain (IMP/GEN/RM37).

  40. Added licence for fresh or chilled hides and skins from ungulates for further processing from The Channel Islands and Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2016/04).

  41. Replaced Cattle from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2015/01) with Cattle from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2016/03).

  42. Added licence for imports of pearls in oyster shells (containing oyster flesh) in ready to sell containers not for human consumption (IMP/GEN/2016/02).

  43. Added 'Dog or cat semen from donors compliant with regulation 576/2013 or 998/2003' to genetic material

  44. Replaced licence: IMP/GEN/2010/13 with IMP/GEN/2016/01 (Cattle aged 15 days and over from Northern Ireland)

  45. IMP-GEN-2015-07 licence has been revoked and replaced with IMP-GEN-2015-09

  46. Uploaded Non-domestic ungulates from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2015/08) which replaces the revoked licence IMP/GEN/2013/02.

  47. Added licence for non domestic ungulates from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2015/07).

  48. Added the licence "certain products for in vitro use with 10% or less animal by-product carrier/stabilizer" under 'Products not for human consumption'

  49. Updated Glucosamine, chondroitin and chitosan-livestock, poultry, fish due to an amendment to EU legislation.

  50. Replaced Sheep and goats from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2015/02) with Sheep and goats from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2015/04) as there was an error in original licence (missing conditions).

  51. Added the general licences for Cattle from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2015/01), Sheep and goats from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2015/02) and Pigs for slaughter from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2015/03).

  52. First published.

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