Import animal by-products from the EU to Great Britain

This guidance applies to businesses in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) importing or moving animal by-products not intended for human consumption (ABP) from the EU and Northern Ireland. 

You need to follow different guidance if you’re importing: 

• high risk food and feed not of animal origin (HRFNAO) 
• food and drink that are products of animal origin (POAO) 
• composite products from the EU and Northern Ireland 
• live animals and germinal products 
• live animals, including equines and animal products, from non-EU countries 

ABPs are in category 1, 2 or 3. In most cases, you cannot import ABP from categories 1 or 2.

Import ABP from approved businesses in the EU 

You can only import ABP from establishments approved by the EU to trade with the UK.

Notify APHA about imports from the EU

You must submit an import notification on the import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) to notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) about all imports of ABP subject to border controls from the EU, except the Republic of Ireland. 

You must do this at least one working day before the ABP is expected to arrive at the point of entry. 

You’ll get a notification reference number when you submit your import notification. The format of this number will be IMP.GB.YYYY.1XXXXXX.

Add information about the approved business you’re importing from

You need to add information to IPAFFS about the approved business you’re importing from, if it’s coming from: 

• the EU 
• Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Faroes or Greenland 

Follow these steps to add the approved business: 

1. Sign in or register to use IPAFFS. 
2. On the ‘Traders addresses’ page, select ‘Add a place of origin’, then select ‘Create a new place of origin’. 
3. In the ‘Place of origin name’ field, enter the full name of the exporting business, then its authorisation number. 
4. In the ‘Place of origin’ fields, enter the full address, telephone number, country and email address for the business. 
5. Save these details. Details will be saved to your address book so that you can use them again. 
6. Add the approved business to your pre-notification.

If you need help with import notifications

You can call APHA’s helpline on 03300 416 999 or email APHAServiceDesk@apha.gov.uk.

What to include in a commercial document

All imports of ABP must come with a commercial document from the supplier. 

The commercial document must travel with your consignment and show a description of what’s in it, including: 

• quantity information in weight, volume or number of packages 

• whether it’s category 1, 2 or 3  material
• if it’s a mixture it counts as the highest risk category, for example a mixture containing categories 1, 2 and 3 material would be treated as category 1 material 
• the animal species  

It must include the: 

• name of the person or organisation who sent it  
• name of the person or organisation it’s being sent to  
• premises of origin address and registration or approval number 
• date it left the premises of origin 
• destination premises address and registration or approval number 
• name, address and registration number of the transporter 

If the ABP is being transported in containers, it must also come with the container identification number. 

If the ABP is category 3 whole carcasses or heads destined for animal feed, the commercial document must also say the ear tag number of the animal if there was one.

If they are destined for uses other than animal feed, organic fertiliser or soil improver, the commercial document must contain information about processing for: 

• bones and bone products (except bone meal) 
• horn and horn products (except horn meal) 
• hooves and hoof products (except hoof meal) 

For beeswax destined for anything other than feeding to farmed animals, the commercial document must say how it was refined or processed. 

For treated hides and skins, the commercial document must confirm that all precautions have been taken to avoid contamination with pathogenic agents. 

For game trophies or other products made only of hides or skin, the commercial document must say how they were processed and packaged. 

For treated feathers, parts of treated feathers and down, the commercial document must say how they were treated and washed. 

For display items, the commercial document must identify the authorisation of the competent authority of destination.

Moving ABP from Northern Ireland to Great Britain

You can move ABP from Northern Ireland to Great Britain if they’re qualifying Northern Ireland goods.

When ABP arrives in Great Britain

You must send ABP to an approved premises when it arrives in Great Britain, except processed pet food or dog chews.

Importing ABP from 31 January 2024 

From 31 January 2024, ABP will be categorised into high, medium and low risk categories under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). The new categories do not correspond to categories 1, 2 and 3.  

To import ABP, you’ll need to follow the current process to notify APHA. 

For medium BTOM risk imports, you’ll also need a health certificate if one is available. If there is no health certificate for your goods, you will need a commercial document. 

For low BTOM risk imports, you’ll need a commercial document. 

You’ll no longer need a facilitation letter to import any ABP from the EU.

Importing ABP from 30 April 2024 

From 30 April 2024, new checks at the border on medium BTOM risk goods from the EU will be introduced. All medium and low BTOM risk goods must enter via a point of entry that has the relevant Border Control Post. 

If you need help 

Contact APHA’s imports team if you’re not sure about anything in this guide. 

If you need help with your customs declaration 

Contact HMRC for help.