Export animal bones, protein and other by-products

You usually need to follow these rules to export animal bones, protein and other by-products not intended for human consumption.

There are different rules for animal products:

• from endangered animals
• that will be used as food

What you’ll need to do in a no deal Brexit

You’ll need to apply for an export health certificate (EHC). Find out more about what you’ll need to do to export animal products in a no deal Brexit.

Within the EU: current rules

You need a commercial document to move animal by-products within the EU.

You must use TRACES to create it if you’re moving:

• category 1 or category 2 animal by-products - including meat and bone meal (MBM) or animal fat derived from them
• processed animal proteins (PAPs) from category 3

Otherwise, you can create your own commercial document.

If you don’t know your by-product’s category, you can check animal by-product classifications. Contact APHA if you need help.

Create a TRACES commercial document

1. Register with the TRACES system.
2. Sign in to TRACES and fill in the details of the animal by-products (ABP) that you’re exporting.
3. Print your commercial document and sign it.
4. Attach the document to your consignment when you transport it.

Create your own commercial document

If your product doesn’t need to be entered in TRACES, you can create your own commercial document. Include details of:

• the animal by-products in your consignment
• your contact information
• the business or person you’re sending your goods to

Follow the rules for record keeping and labelling.

Outside the EU: current rules

You will usually need to complete an export health certificate (EHC) and some supporting documents to be able to export an animal product.

It’s an official document that confirms your export meets the health requirements of the destination country.

An official vet or inspector will check that your export meets the health requirements of the destination country. They’ll complete and sign the certificate, and give it to you.

Find out how to apply for an EHC and download the forms.

Use the most up to date EHC

EHCs are sometimes updated when export agreements are changed so make sure you are using the latest version of a certificate. The EHC form finder will always have the latest version.

Out of date forms will be rejected and cause delays to your exports.

You can sign up for alerts on the form finder to get an email when a form is updated.

Transporting animal by-products

Follow the rules for transporting animal by-products.

Endangered animals

Use the Species+ tool to search for the animal your by-product is from. Check which annex (A, B, C or D) it’s classified as under EU wildlife trade regulations.

What you need to do depends on whether you’re exporting within the EU or outside the EU.

If Species+ says the animal is banned, you can’t export the product.

Within the EU

If the animal is classed as B, C or D, you don’t need to do anything.

If it’s classed as Annex A, you must apply for an Article 10 certificate unless you’re exporting:

• skin from crocodylia bred in captivity for commercial purposes
• for non-commercial reasons like scientific research

Apply for an Article 10 certificate

Fill in either:

• form FED1012 (PDF, 29.6KB, 2 pages)

• form FED1012 (MS Word Document, 67KB)

Use the guidance notes (PDF, 606KB, 15 pages) to help you.

Email it to wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk or post it to the Centre for International Trade Bristol.

Include any supporting documents that show you acquired the product legally, for example:

• a copy of the import permit
• a previous Article 10 certificate (use the yellow copy)

It costs £31 to apply.

APHA aims to process your application in 15 working days.

Outside the EU

If it’s classed as A, B or C, you need a CITES export permit.

If it’s classed as D, check the animal’s CITES listing in the Species+ tool. If it’s in Appendix III, you’ll need a CITES export permit. Otherwise, you don’t need to do anything.

Apply for a CITES permit

Fill in either:

• form FED0172 (PDF, 96.3KB, 2 pages)

• form FED0172 (MS Word Document, 79KB)

Use the guidance notes (PDF, 739KB, 13 pages) to help you. If you’re re-exporting goods include a CITES import permit to prove it legally entered the EU.

Email or post the completed form to the Centre for International Trade Bristol.

It costs £63 to apply (or £37 to re-export). APHA aims to process your application within 15 working days.

Regular exports for public exhibition

If you regularly take goods abroad for a short period of time for public exhibitions, check if you could use a travelling exhibition certificate (PDF, 2.71MB, 208 pages) instead of a CITES permit. You can use the certificate whether you’re moving goods within or outside the EU.

You can add multiple specimen types in one application if needed.

It’s valid for 3 years and means you don’t need to apply for permission each time you take your display items abroad.

To apply, fill in form FED0173 (PDF, 64.4KB, 2 pages)

Post or email the completed form to APHA Centre for International Trade Bristol.

The fee is £74 and APHA aims to process your application in 15 working days.