Rules to follow if you’re moving animals or animal products from one third country to another third country and transiting Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), known as ‘landbridge’ movements.
Requirements for animalslandbridge ortransits animal products moving between EU countries or NorthernNI Irelandwill andbe transiting Great Britain are being introduced in 3 stages:
- January
toJuly - January
April20222021 - July 2022
2021onwards
Products of animal origin (POAO) are animal products for human consumption. Animal by-products (ABP) are not for human consumption.
EU to GreatGB Britain to EU transits from January 2021
This guidance covers the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements for EU goods moving from:moving:
- the
fromEU to GreatGBBritain to the EU - the
fromEU to GreatGBBritain to Northern Ireland(NI) - Northern
fromIrelandNIto GreatGBBritain to the EU
Live animals
LiveTo animalstransit transitinglive animals through GreatGB Britainthey must:
- be pre-notified on TRACES
- have an Intra Trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHC)
High health status horses moving between France and the Republic of Ireland will travel on a DOCOM (created in TRACES).
Animals can enter and exit GreatGB Britain through any port with no identity or physical inspections carried out at entry or exit to Great Britain.GB.
APHA will carry out remote documentary checks.
YouThe EU member state receiving the goods must email APHA at APHAGBimports@apha.gov.uk to confirm that the consignment has left GreatGB Britain territory, with the subject line ‘Confirmation that a consignment has left GreatGB Britain territory’.
You must follow animal welfare requirements for animals transiting Great Britain.GB.
All live animals will need:
- transporter authorisation issued by APHA
- certificates of competence
- vehicle approval certificates from the relevant bodies in Great
GBBritain or Northern Ireland
You need an EU and UK journey log if you’re moving cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or unregistered horses for trade:
- from Great
GBBritain to the EU - from the EU to Great Britain
GB - if your journey is more than 8 hours
You cannot use EU-issuedEU issued documents (which includes Republic of Ireland) in Great Britain.GB.
To apply for a transporter authorisation from APHA, the transporter must be represented in GreatGB. Britain. For more information contact:
-
APHA in Great
GB:Britain: CITCarlisle@apha.gov.uk - DAERA in NI
The maximum permitted journey time varies by species and life stage. A consignment of animals may need to be rested for 24 hours. There are approved control posts where animals can be unloaded.
Germinal products and POAO subject to safeguard measures
GerminalTo transit germinal products or POAO subject to safeguard measures transiting through GreatGB Britainthey must:
- be pre-notified on TRACES
- have an ITAHC
Goods can enter and exit GreatGB Britain through any port with no physical or ID checks required on entry or exit.
YouThe EU member state receiving the goods must email APHA at APHAGBimports@apha.gov.uk to confirm that the consignment has left GreatGB Britain territory, with the subject line ‘Confirmation that a consignment has left GreatGB Britain territory’.
High risk ABP only (Category 1 and 2 material and Category 3 Processed Animal Protein)
To transit Highhigh risk ABP transiting through GreatGB Britainthey must:
- be pre-notified on TRACES
- have a DOCOM
Goods can enter and exit GreatGB Britain through any port with no physical or ID checks required on entry or exit.
YouThe EU member state receiving the goods must email APHA at APHAGBimports@apha.gov.uk to confirm that the consignment has left GreatGB Britain territory, with the subject line ‘Confirmation that a consignment has left GreatGB Britain territory’.
Products with no requirements for EU to GreatGB Britain to EU transits from January 2021 to JanuaryOctober 2022.2021
There are no requirements for transit across GreatGB Britainfor for:
- POAO not subject to safeguard measures
or
No notification is required and the goods can enter and exit GreatGB Britain through any port, with no physical or ID checks required on entry or exit.
Products with no requirements for EU to GreatGB Britain to EU transits from 1January to January 2022
There are no requirements for transit across GB for regulated plants and plant products.
No notification is required and the goods can enter and exit GB through any port, with no physical or ID checks required on entry or exit.
EU to GB to EU transits from October 2021
POAO not subject to safeguard measures and lowcertain risk ABP
To transit POAO not subject to safeguard measures andor lowcertain risklow-risk ABP transitingthey through Great Britain must must:
- be pre-notified on IPAFFS.
You
havemustanotifyGBDefrahealthwhen the consignment leaves Great Britain.certificate
Goods can enter and exit GreatGB Britain through any port with no physical or ID checks on entry or exit.
EU to GreatGB Britain to EU transits from JulyJanuary 2022
Guidance on transits from the EU to GreatGB Britain to EU from JulyJanuary 2022 will be available in springAutumn 2022.2021.
EU to GreatGB Britain to non-EU countries transits from January 2021
The SPS requirements you must meet for EU goods moving from the EU to GreatGB Britain to non-EU countries will depend on the products you’re sending.
Live animals
Live animals transiting through Great Britain must:
- be pre-notified on IPAFFS at least one working day before the expected time of arrival at the point of entry
- have a Great
GBBritain health certificate
YouYou’ll mustneed notifyto Defragive the EU exporter or official veterinarian (OV) the unique notification number (UNN) produced by IPAFFS when you pre-notify APHA about the consignmenttransit.
Your leavesexporter Greatmust Britain.add the UNN to the health certificate.
Animals can enter and exit GreatGB Britain through any port without any identity or physical inspections.
You must follow animal welfare requirements for animals transiting Great Britain.GB.
All live animals will need:
- transporter authorisation issued by APHA
- certificates of competence
- vehicle approval certificates from the relevant bodies in Great
GBBritain or Northern Ireland
You need an EU and UK journey log if you’re moving cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or unregistered horses for trade:
- from Great
GBBritain to the EU - from the EU to Great Britain
GB - if your journey is more than 8 hours
You can no longer use EU-issued documents (which includes the Republic of Ireland) in Great Britain.GB.
To apply for a transporter authorisation from APHA, you must be represented in GreatGB. Britain. For more information contact:
-
APHA in Great
GB:Britain: CITCarlisle@apha.gov.uk - DAERA in Northern Ireland
NI
The maximum permitted journey time varies by species and life stage. A consignment of animals may need to be rested for 24 hours. There are approved control posts where animals can be unloaded.
Germinal products and POAO subject to safeguard measures
GerminalTo transit germinal products or POAO subject to safeguard measures transitingthey through Great Britain must:
- be pre-notified on IPAFFS
- have a Great
GBBritain health certificate
You’ll need to give the EU exporter or OV the unique notification number (UNN) that is produced on IPAFFS when you pre-notify APHA of the import. The EU exporter must add the UNN to the health certificate.
Goods can enter and exit GreatGB Britain through any port with no physical or ID checks required on entry or exit.
High risk ABP only – (Category 1 and 2 material and Category 3 processedProcessed animalAnimal protein)Protein)
HighTo transit high risk ABP transitingthey through Great Britain must:
- be pre-notified on IPAFFS
- have a commercial document
YouGoods mustcan notifyenter Defraand whenexit theGB consignmentthrough leavesany Greatport Britain.with no physical or ID checks required on entry or exit.
Products with no requirements for EU to GB to non-EU transits from January to October 2021
GoodsThere are no requirements for transit across GB for POAO not subject to safeguard measures.
No notification is required and the goods can enter and exit GreatGB Britain through any portport, with no physical or ID checks required on entry or exit.
Products with no requirements for EU to GreatGB Britain to non-EU transits untilfrom 1January 2021 to January 2022.2022
There are no requirements for transit across GreatGB Britain for POAOregulated notplants subjectand toplant safeguard measures.products.
No notification is required and the goods can enter and exit GreatGB Britain through any port, with no physical or ID checks required on entry or exit.
EU to GreatGB Britain to non-EU countries transits from JanuaryOctober 20222021
POAO not subject to safeguard measures and certain ABP
To transit POAO not subject to safeguard measures andor lowcertain risklow-risk ABP transitingthey through Great Britain must must:
- be pre-notified on IPAFFS.
You
havemustanotifyGBDefrahealthwhen the consignment leaves Great Britain.certificate
Goods can enter and exit GreatGB Britain through any port with no physical or ID checks required on entry or exit.
EU to GreatGB Britain to non-EU countries transits from JulyJanuary 2022
Guidance on transits from the EU to GreatGB Britain to non-EU countries from JulyJanuary 2022 will be available in springAutumn 2022.2021.
Transits from non-EU countries
You’ll need to meet specific requirements for SPS goods transiting:
- from a non-EU country to Great
GBBritain to a non-EU country - from a non-EU country to Great
GBBritain to the EU
POAO, ABP and germinal products
To transit POAO, ABP and germinal products from a non-EU country transiting through GreatGB Britainthey must:
- be pre-notified on IPAFFS at least one working day before your consignment is due to arrive
- have a Great
GBBritain health certificate
The goods must enter and exit GreatGB Britain at an established point of entry with an authorised BCP for documentary and identity checks. Physical checks are only carried out in cases of suspected non-compliance.
Live animals
LiveTo animalstransit transitinglive throughanimals Greatthey Britain must:
- be pre-notified on IPAFFS at least one working day before your consignment is due to arrive
- have a Great
GBBritain health certificate
The goods must enter GreatGB Britain at an established point of entry with an authorised BCP for document, ID and physical checks.
You must follow animal welfare requirements for animals transiting Great Britain.GB.
Imports from non-EU countries to GreatGB Britain that travel through the EU
This guidance covers the requirements for imports of live animals, germinal products and ABP, that originate in a non-EUthird country and transit the EU before being imported into GreatGB Britain.from January 2021.
Live animals, germinal products and ABP
Live animals, germinal products and ABP subject to veterinary checks that originate in a non-EU country and transit EU territory before arriving in GreatGB Britain do not need to enter GreatGB Britain at an established point of entry with an authorised BCP if:
- the goods have a Great
GBBritain health certificate certified in the third country of origin - a Great
GBBritain importer has pre-notified on IPAFFS at least one working day before the expected time of arrival at the point of entry - you can show proof of a successful health inspection - you can upload the CHED to the IPAFFS notification
On IPAFFS, select the EU member state the goods are travelling from as the ‘country of origin’.
For live animals and germinal products, you’ll need to give the EU exporter or OV the unique notification number (UNN) produced by IPAFFS when you pre-notify APHA about the transit. The exporter must add the UNN to the health certificate.
If the goods have not met these criteria then they must:
- be pre-notifed on IPAFFS at least one working day before the expected time of arrival at the point of entry –
-select the non-EU country the consignment originated from as the ‘country of origin’ - have a Great
GBBritain export health certificate - enter Great
GBBritain at an established point of entry with an authorised BCP so they’re available for document, identity and physical checks
High risk food and feed not of animal origin (HRFNAO)
HRFNAO are goods which have specific import conditions on entry into GreatGB. Britain. See a list of goods with restrictions.
HRFNAOFrom from1 aJanuary non-EU2021 countryany HRFNAO that transittransits the EU from a third country, before import into GreatGB Britain will need to enter GreatGB Britain through an established point of entry with an authorised BCP for those HRFNAO goods.
HRFNAO must:
- be pre-notified on IPAFFS at least one working day in advance of the goods’ arrival - select the non-EU country the consignment originated from as the ‘country of origin’
- enter Great
GBBritain at an established point of entry with an authorised BCP so they’re available for document, identity and physical checks
HRFNAO listed in Annex 2 of 2019/1793 will need to be accompanied by:
- an official certificate from the country of origin
- laboratory analysis from the country of origin
Check if your product must be checked at a BCP by looking for the CN code for the product in the following regulations:
- Regulation 2019/1793.
- Temporary increase of official controls and emergency measures
- Regulation 2020/1158 (Chernobyl affected products)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/6 (Fukushima affected products)
- Decision 2011/884/EU (GMO Rice from China)
POAO
ConsignmentsFrom 1 January 2021, consignments of POAO originating from a non-EUthird country, transiting EU territory, before being imported to GreatGB Britain must enter GreatGB Britainvia at an established point of entry with an authorised BCP.
Check if your product must be imported through a point of entry with an authorised BCP by looking for the CN code for the product in regulation 2019/2007.
POAO must:
- be pre-notified using IPAFFS at least one working day in advance of arrival - select the non-EU country the consignment originated from as the ‘country of origin’
- have a Great
GBBritain health certificate - enter Great
GBBritain at an established point of entry with an appropriate BCP so they’re available for documentary, identity and physical checks
If your consignment of POAO has undergone full animal and public health checks and has been cleared for circulation on the EU market, follow the guidance for importing POAO to GreatGB Britain from the EU.
Last updated 23
-
Updated the guidance with new dates for the introduction of controls on transit goods.
-
Removed references to unique notification numbers (UNN) for health certificates as they do not apply to imports from non-EU countries transiting the EU to Great Britain.
-
Updated to reflect the new timetable for the introduction of the next stage of UK import requirements for transit goods.
-
Added the email address for receiving countries to notify APHA when a consignment has left GB.
-
First published.
Update history
2024-05-02 16:34
Added information to clarify that transits from non-EU countries through Great Britain to EU or non-EU countries of medium and high risk live animals, germinal products, POAO and ABP must travel with a health certificate. Also clarified that if you’re transiting medium risk fishery products that do not need animal health attestations, you only need a commercial document.
2024-04-30 00:01
The guidance has been updated to include the latest information about the border target operating model risk categories and border control post checks.
2024-04-19 09:54
A link to the ship supplies declaration form has been added to the ‘ship supplies process for goods from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland from 30 April 2024’ section.
2024-04-16 16:23
The ship supplies process for goods arriving from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway from 30 April 2024 has been added.
2024-01-31 00:15
The guidance has been updated to include current information about the border target operating model risk categories and health certificates.
2024-01-17 11:30
This page has been updated to reflect current requirements and to add new sections for future changes under the Border Target Operating Model. The ‘goods that transit the EU’ section has been moved to another guide, and a link to it added to this one.
2022-07-01 15:06
Removed references to changes to import controls previously due to come into effect on 1 July 2022, as these have been postponed. The page will be updated in autumn 2022 with new dates for import controls.
2022-04-28 16:36
Import controls on EU goods to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) planned from July will not be introduced in 2022. The controls that have already been introduced remain in place. This page will be updated in autumn 2022.
2021-12-20 15:43
Updated the section ‘If you need help with your customs declaration’.
2021-12-17 15:03
Guidance updated to show change in rules from 1 January 2022 for imports from the Republic of Ireland to Great Britain.
2021-09-23 09:31
Updated the guidance with new dates for the introduction of controls on transit goods.
2021-04-01 19:30
Updated to reflect the new timetable for the introduction of the next stage of UK import requirements for transit goods.