Guidance

Transiting animals and animal products through Great Britain

Rules to follow if you’re moving animals or animal products from one third country to another third country and transiting through Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), known as ‘landbridge’ movements.

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
18 December 2020
Last updated
117 JulyJanuary 20222024 — See all updates

ImportNew Border Target Operating Model import controls begin on EU31 goodsJanuary to2024.

You Greatshould Britainprepare (England,to Scotlandmeet andthe Wales)requirements thatnow haveto alreadyavoid beendisruption introducedto remainyour inbusiness place.and supply chain.

This pageguidance willis beabout updatedtransiting:

  • live inanimals
  • germinal autumnproducts
  • animal 2022by-products withnot newfor dateshuman consumption (ABP)
  • products of animal origin for importhuman controls.consumption (POAO)
  • high-risk food and feed not of animal origin (HRFNAO)  

You need to follow different guidance if: 

  • the commodity you’re importing transits the EU on its way to Great Britain

    • EU tothrough Great Britain to EU transits

    This guidance covers the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements for EU goods moving from:from: 

    • the EU tothrough Great Britain to the EUEU 
    • the EU tothrough Great Britain to Northern IrelandIreland 
    • Northern Ireland tothrough Great Britain to the EUEU 

    Live animals

    Live animalsanimals, germinal products, ABP and POAO transiting through Great Britain must:

    • must be pre-notifiednotified on IPAFFS (Import of products, animals, food and feed system)
    • have. anYou Intramust Tradedo Animalthis Healthat Certificateleast (ITAHC)one createdworking inday TRACESbefore (Tradeit Controlis andexpected Exportto System)
    arrive at the point of entry. 

    You do not currently need a GreatGB Britain transit health certificate.certificate. 

    You must attachconfirm athat copythe ofconsignment thehas ITAHCleft toGreat theBritain. IPAFFSFor live animals, germinal products, ABP, notification.or IPAFFSPOAO pre-notificationunder willsafeguard notmeasures, replaceemail yourthe intraAnimal EUand movementPlant onHealth TRACESAgency (APHA) at ImportsRiskManagement@apha.gov.uk. For POAO not subject to safeguard measures, email GBtransit-notification@defra.gov.uk. Use the subject line ‘Confirmation that a consignment has left Great Britain territory’. 

    HighThe healthemail statusneeds horsesto movinginclude: 

    • the betweenIPAFFS Francenotification andreference number 
    • details of the Republicmeans of Irelandtransport 
    • the willdate travelthe onconsignment left Great Britain 
    • a copy of the commercial documentdocuments (DOCOM).(bill Useof TRACESlading or airway bill) 

    To find out how the information you send to createthe mailbox will be used, you can ask for a DOCOM.copy of the privacy notice. 

    AnimalsYou cando enternot andneed exitto notify on IPAFFS or confirm consignments have left Great Britain throughfor:  

    • POAO anynot portsubject withto nosafeguard identitymeasures ormoving physicalfrom inspectionsthe carriedRepublic outof atIreland entryand orNorthern exitIreland to GreatEU Britain.

      Youcountries mustthrough emailGreat APHABritain 

    • category 3 ABP atmoving ImportsRiskManagement@apha.gov.ukfrom tothe confirmRepublic thatof theIreland consignmentand hasNorthern leftIreland to EU countries through Great BritainBritain 

    Currently, territory.live Useanimals, thegerminal subjectproducts, lineABP ‘Confirmationand thatPOAO acan consignmententer hasand leftexit Great Britain territory’.through any port with no physical or identity checks. 

    TheYou’ll emailalso needsneed to includefollow thespecific followingguidance information:below if you’re transiting: 

    • IPAFFSlive notification reference numberanimals 
    • detailsgerminal of means of transportproducts 
    • date POAO 
    • ABP

    Live theanimals

    Live consignmentanimals hastransiting leftthrough Great Britain territory

  • must have an Intra Trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHC) created in TRACES (Trade Control and Export System). 

    You must attach a copy of commercialthe documentsITAHC (billto ofthe ladingIPAFFS ornotification. airwayIPAFFS bill)

    • notification does not replace your intra-EU movement on TRACES. 

    You must follow animal welfare requirements for animals transiting through Great Britain.Britain. 

    All live animals will need:need: 

    • transporter authorisation issued by APHA  
    • certificates of competence
    • vehicle approval certificates from the relevant bodies in Great Britain or Northern IrelandIreland 

    You will also need a certificate of competence for cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses or poultry travelling over 40 miles or 65 kilometres by road.    

    You need an EU and a UK journey log if you’re moving cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or unregistered horses for trade:trade: 

    • from Great Britain to the EUEU 
    • from the EU to Great BritainBritain 
    • if your journey is more than 8 hourshours 

    You cannot use EU-issued documents (which includes the Republic of Ireland) in Great Britain.Britain. 

    To apply for a transporter authorisation from APHA, (Animal and Plant Health Agency), the transporter must be represented in Great Britain. For more information, contact:contact: 

    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 POAOproducts (products of animal origin)origin for human consumption subject to safeguard measures

    Germinal products orand POAO subject to safeguard measures transiting through Great Britain must:

    • bemust pre-notified on IPAFFS
    • have an ITAHC created in TRACES

    You do not need a Great Britain transit health certificate.. 

    You must attach a copy of the ITAHC to the IPAFFS notification. IPAFFS pre-notificationnotification willdoes not replace your intraintra-EU EU movement on TRACES.

    Goods

    Animal canby-products enternot andfor exithuman Great Britain through any port with no physical or ID checks required on entry or exit.

    consumption

    YouTransits mustof email APHAABP atmust ImportsRiskManagement@apha.gov.uk touse confirmtransporters that theare consignmentregistered hason left Great Britain territory. Use the subjectlist lineof ‘Confirmationapproved thatand aregistered consignmentABP hasoperating left Great Britain territory’.plants. 

    TheABP emailtransits needsalso toneed includean the following information:

    • IPAFFSABP notification reference number
    • details of means of transport
    • date consignment has left Great Britain territory
    • copy of commercial documentsdocument (billcreated ofin ladingTRACES, orwhich airwayyou bill)

    High-riskmust animalattach by-productsto onlyyour (CategoryIPAFFS 1 and 2 material and Category 3 processed animal protein)

    notification. 

    High-riskTransits of ABP (animalfrom by-products)the transitingEU to Northern Ireland through Great Britain must:

    • will need to be pre-notifiednotified on IPAFFS
    • have. a DOCOM created in TRACES

    You must do notthis needat aleast GBone transitworking healthday certificate.

    Youbefore mustit attachis aexpected copyto ofarrive theat DOCOM to the IPAFFSpoint notification.of entry. 

    IPAFFS pre-notificationnotification willdoes not replace your intraintra-EU EU movement on TRACES.

    Goods

    EU canthrough enter and exit Great Britain throughto anynon-EU portcountries withtransits

    The noSPS physicalrequirements oryou ID checks required on entry or exit.

    You must emailmeet APHAfor atEU ImportsRiskManagement@apha.gov.uk togoods confirmmoving thatfrom the consignmentEU hasto left Great Britain territory.to Usenon-EU thecountries subjectwill linedepend ‘Confirmationon thatthe acommodities consignmentyou’re has left Great Britain territory’.sending. 

    TheLive emailanimals, needsgerminal toproducts, includeABP theand following information:

    • IPAFFSPOAO notificationtransiting referencethrough number
    • detailsGreat ofBritain meansmust ofbe transport
    • datenotified theon consignmentIPAFFS. hasYou leftmust Greatdo Britainthis territory
    • copyat ofleast commercialone documentsworking (billday ofbefore ladingit oris airwayexpected bill)

    EU to Greatarrive Britainat tothe EUpoint transitsof from 1 January 2022

    entry. 

    POAO

    You notmust subjectconfirm tothat safeguardthe measuresconsignment andhas lowleft riskGreat ABP

    FromBritain. 1For Januarylive 2022,animals, allgerminal otherproducts, POAO and ABP, from the EU to the Republic of Ireland or NorthernPOAO Irelandsubject via Great Britain will need to besafeguard pre-notifiedmeasures, onemail IPAFFSAPHA at leastImportsRiskManagement@apha.gov.uk. 24For hoursPOAO beforenot theysubject arriveto intosafeguard Greatmeasures, Britain.

    Youemail must notify Defra when the consignment leaves Great Britain. Email: GBtransit-notification@defra.gov.uk.

    Use the subject line ‘Confirmation that a consignment has left Great Britain territory’.territory’. 

    ToThe findemail outneeds how the information you send to the mailbox will be used, you can ask for a copy of the privacy notice.include: 

    Your email must include the following information:

    • the IPAFFS notification reference numbernumber 
    • details of the means of transporttransport 
    • the date the consignment has left Great Britain territoryBritain 
    • a copy of the commercial documents (bill of lading or airway bill)bill) 

    TheseTo goodsfind canout enterhow and exit Great Britain through any point of entry.

    From 1 January 2022, all other POAO and low-risk ABP moving from the Republicinformation ofyou Irelandsend and Northern Ireland to EUthe countriesmailbox viawill Great Britain do not need to be pre-notified.

    EUused, to Great Britain to non-EU countries transits

    The SPS requirements you mustcan meetask for EU goods moving from the EU to Great 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
    • have an Intra Trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHC) created in TRACES

    You do not need a Great Britain transit health certificate.

    You must attach a copy of the ITAHCprivacy to the IPAFFS notification. IPAFFS pre-notification will not replace your intra EU movement on TRACES.notice. 

    HighCurrently, healthlive statusanimals, horsesgerminal movingproducts, betweenABP France and the Republic of Ireland will travel on a DOCOMPOAO (created in TRACES).

    Animals can enter and exit Great Britain through any port with no identity or physical inspections carried out at entry or exitID to Great Britain.checks. 

    You must emailcheck APHAyou athave ImportsRiskManagement@apha.gov.uk to confirm that the consignmentright hasdocumentation leftto Greatexport Britainyour territory.commodity Usefrom the subjectEU linemember ‘Confirmationstate thatof aorigin consignmentto hasthe leftdestination Great Britain territory’.country. 

    TheYou’ll emailalso needsneed to includefollow thespecific followingguidance information:below if you’re transiting: 

    • IPAFFSlive notification reference numberanimals 
    • detailsgerminal of means of transportproducts 
    • date POAO 
    • ABP

    Live theanimals

    Live consignmentanimals hastransiting leftthrough Great Britain territory

  • copymust ofalso commercialhave documentsa (billGB ofhealth ladingcertificate. orYou airwaymust bill)
    • attach a copy to the IPAFFS notification.  

    You must follow animal welfare requirements for animals transiting Great Britain.Britain. 

    All live animals will need:need: 

    • transporter authorisation issued by APHA  
    • certificates of competencecompetence 
    • vehicle approval certificates from the relevant bodies in Great Britain or Northern IrelandIreland 

    You need an EU and UK journey log if you’re moving cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or unregistered horses for trade:trade: 

    • from Great Britain to the EUEU 
    • from the EU to Great BritainBritain 
    • if your journey is more than 8 hourshours 

    You cannot use EU-issued documents (which(including includesthose issued in the Republic of Ireland) in Great Britain.Britain. 

    To apply for a transporter authorisation from APHA, the transporter must be represented in Great Britain. For more information, contact:contact: 

    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 POAOproducts of animal origin for human consumption subject to safeguard measures

    Germinal products or POAO subject to safeguard measures transiting through Great Britain must:

    .

    Goods

    Animal canby-products enternot andfor exithuman Greatconsumption

    Transits Britainof throughABP anymust portuse withtransporters nothat physicalare orregistered IDon checksthe requiredlist onof entryapproved orand exit.registered ABP operating plants.  

    High-risk

    Transits of ABP onlyalso –need (Categoryan 1ABP andcommercial 2document.

    Non-EU materialthrough andGreat CategoryBritain 3to processedEU animalor protein)

    non-EU countries transits

    High-riskThis ABPguidance covers the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) transitingrequirements throughfor non-EU goods moving to Great Britain must:to: 

    • bethe pre-notified on IPAFFS EU 
    • have a commercialnon-EU documentcountry 

    YouLive mustanimals, notifygerminal Defraproducts, whenPOAO theand consignmentABP leavesfrom a non-EU country transiting through Great Britain,Britain bymust: 

    GoodsThe cangoods must enter and exit Great Britain throughat anya portpoint of entry with nothe physicalrelevant orborder IDcontrol post (BCP) for documentary and identity checks. Physical checks requiredare ononly entrycarried orout exit.

    Productsin withcases noof requirementssuspected fornon-compliance.  

    You’ll EUalso need to Greatfollow Britainspecific toguidance non-EUbelow transitsif untilyou’re 1transiting: 

    • live Januaryanimals 
    • ABP

    Live 2022animals

    ThereYou aremust nofollow animal welfare requirements for transitanimals acrosstransiting Great BritainBritain.

    Animal forby-products POAO not subjectfor tohuman safeguard measures.

    consumption 

    NoTransits notificationof isABP requiredmust andalso thehave goodsa canGB enterimport andhealth exitcertificate Greator Britainimporter throughdeclaration anyindicating port,that withthe noconsignment physicalis orintended IDfor checks required on entry or exit.transit.

    EUThe toship Greatsupplies Britainprocess for togoods non-EUarriving countries transits from Januarynon-EU 2022countries

    POAO

    If notyour subjectconsignments toof safeguardanimal measuresproducts andare ABP

    POAOfor notship subjectsupplies to safeguard measures and low-riskthey ABPenter Great transitingBritain through Greata different Britainpoint mustof beentry from pre-notifiedthe onone IPAFFS.

    Youwhere mustthe notifyship they Defraare supplying whenis thedocked, consignmentyou leavesmust Greatfollow Britain.the Emailship GBtransit-notification@defra.gov.uk.supplies process: 

    Use

    1. They themust subjecthave linea ‘ConfirmationGB thattransit ahealth certificate.  
    2. The consignment hasmust leftenter Great Britain territory’.

      Toat finda outpoint howof theentry informationwith youthe sendrelevant toBCP. 

    3. Documentary theand mailboxidentity checks will be used,completed youat canthe askentry forBCP aand copythe ofPort theHealth privacyAuthority notice.

      Goods(PHA) canwill enterissue anda specific exitship Greatsupplies Britainor throughcaptain’s certificate. any 

    4. The portconsignment withis nothen physicaltransported orto IDthe checksport requiredof onexit where entrythe orship exit.

      Transitsis fromdocked. 

    5. The non-EUcaptain countries

      You’llof needthe toship meetsigns specificthe requirementsship forsupply certificate SPSwhen the goods transiting:

        are loaded onto the ship. 
      • fromThe aship non-EUsupply countrycertificate tois Greatreturned to Britainthe toentry aBCP non-EUas countryconfirmation the goods have left GB and are intact.  
      • from

    The captain’s acertificate non-EUremoves countrythe torequirement Greatfor Britainexit tochecks at the EU

  • POAO,exit ABPBCP.

    The andship germinalsupplies products

    • process for goods arriving from EU countries 

    POAO,There ABPis andcurrently germinalno productsseparate fromprocess afor non-EUship countrysupplies transitingfor throughgoods Greatarriving Britainfrom must:

    LiveIf animals,you’re germinaltransiting productsa andmedium-risk ABP subjectbut tothere’s veterinarycurrently checksno thathealth originatecertificate infor ayour non-EUgoods, countryyou’ll andonly transitneed EUa territorycommercial beforedocument. 

    Transits arrivingof inother Greatmedium-risk Britainproducts dowill not need to entertravel Greatwith Britaina athealth ancertificate. 

    Read establishedmore pointabout oftransiting entrylive withanimals, angerminal authorisedproducts, BCPPOAO, if:

    • ABP and HRFNAO under the goodsBorder haveTarget aOperating GreatModel.

      Qualifying BritainNorthern healthIreland certificategoods certifiedare inexempt thefrom thirdthis countryprocess.

      Transiting ofanimal origin

    • aproducts Greatfrom Britainthe importerEU hasthrough pre-notifiedGreat onBritain IPAFFSfrom at30 leastApril one2024 

      From working30 dayApril before2024, thenew expecteddocumentary, timeidentity ofand arrivalphysical checks at the pointborder ofon entry

    • youtransits canof showhigh proofand ofmedium aBTOM successfulrisk healthgerminal inspectionproducts, –POAO, youABP canand uploadHRFNAO from the commonEU, healthexcept entryfrom documentthe (CHED)island toof theIreland, IPAFFSwill notification
    be introduced.  

    OnAll IPAFFS,goods selectmust theenter EUand memberexit stateat thea goodspoint areof travellingentry fromwith as the ‘countryrelevant ofBCP. origin’. 

    IfYou’ll theneed goodsto havetell notauthorities metin theseGreat criteriaBritain thenwhen theyconsignments must:

    entry and exit. 

    High-risk

    Some foodmedium andBTOM feedrisk notgoods ofwill animalhave originidentity (HRFNAO)

    checks on entry or exit.

    HRFNAOLow areBTOM risk goods whichwill havenot specificneed importhealth conditionscertificates. onThey entrymay intohave Greatidentity Britain.checks Seeon aentry listor ofexit, goodsbut withthese restrictions.will not be routine.

    HRFNAOGoods from athe non-EUisland countryof thatIreland transitswill thenot EUhave beforeany importidentity intoor Greatphysical Britainchecks willwhen needthey to enter Great Britain throughto antransit establishedto pointthe ofEU, entryeven withif anthey authorisedare BCPnot forqualifying thoseNorthern HRFNAOIreland goods.

    HRFNAO must:

    • be pre-notified on IPAFFSgoods. atThey leastmay onehave workingchecks daywhen inthey advanceexit ofGreat theBritain. 

      Goods goods’transiting arrivalGreat –Britain selectfrom the non-EUEU countrywill thenot consignmenthave originatedany fromidentity asor thephysical ‘countrychecks ofwhen origin’

    • enterthey exit Great Britain atto antransit establishedto pointthe island of entryIreland. withThey anmay authorisedhave BCPchecks sowhen they’rethey availableenter forGreat document,Britain.

      Transiting identitylive andanimals physicalfrom checks

    HRFNAOthe listedEU inthrough AnnexGreat 2Britain offrom 2019/179330 willApril 2024 

    You’ll need to befollow accompaniedthe by:current process to:  

    • annotify officialauthorities certificatein fromGreat theBritain  
    • check countrywhat ofdocuments originyou need 
    • laboratorytell analysisauthorities fromin Great Britain once the countrycommodity ofhas originleft Great Britain

    Check

    Transiting ifanimals yourand productanimal mustproducts befrom checkednon-EU atcountries athrough BCPGreat byBritain lookingfrom for30 theApril Combined2024 

    From Nomenclature30 (CN)April code2024, fortransits thefrom productnon-EU incountries thewill followingbe regulations:

    Productsgoods of animal origin (POAO)

    Consignments of POAO originating from a non-EU country,country transitingthrough EUGreat territory,Britain, beforeyou’ll beingneed imported to Greatfollow Britainthe mustcurrent process to:  

    • enter and exit Great Britain at ana established point of entry with anthe authorisedrelevant BCP.

      Check 

    • notify ifauthorities yourin productGreat mustBritain  
    • check bewhat importeddocuments throughyou aneed 
    • tell pointauthorities ofin entryGreat withBritain anonce authorisedthe BCPcommodity byhas lookingleft forGreat theBritain

    Transiting CNlive codeanimals forfrom the productEU inthrough RegulationGreat 2019/2007.

    POAOBritain must:

    • befrom pre-notifiedlate using2024 

    From IPAFFSlate at2024, leastnew onedocumentary, workingidentity dayand inphysical advancechecks ofat arrival – select the non-EUborder countryon thetransits consignmentof originatedlive animals from as the ‘countryEU ofwill origin’

  • havebe aintroduced.   

    All Greatlive Britainanimals healthwill certificate

  • need to enter Greatand Britainexit at ana established point of entry with anthe appropriaterelevant BCP. soAll they’rechecks availablewill forbe documentary,carried identityout andat physicalthe checks
    • BCP. 

    IfYou yourmust confirm that the consignment ofhas POAOleft Great Britain by emailing the APHA hasat undergoneImportsRiskManagement@apha.gov.uk. fullUse animalthe andsubject publicline health‘Confirmation checksthat anda consignment has beenleft clearedGreat forBritain circulationterritory’. 

    The onemail needs to include: 

    • the EUIPAFFS market,notification followreference number 
    • details of the guidancemeans forof importingtransport 
    • the POAOdate tothe consignment left Great BritainBritain 
    • a fromcopy of the EU.

      commercial documents (bill of lading or airway bill)

    If you need help with import notifications

    Call the APHA helpline on 03300 416 999, or email APHAServiceDesk@apha.gov.uk.

    If you need help with your customs declarationprocesses

    CallContact the HMRC helplinefor on 0300 322 9434help.

    Monday to Friday 8am to 10pm

    Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm

    Published 18 December 2020
    Last updated 117 JulyJanuary 20222024 + show all updates

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

    4. Updated the section 'If you need help with your customs declaration'.

    5. Guidance updated to show change in rules from 1 January 2022 for imports from the Republic of Ireland to Great Britain.

    6. Added a 'If you need help with your customs declaration' section to the bottom of the page.

    7. Updated the guidance with new dates for the introduction of controls on transit goods.

    8. 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.

    9. Updated to reflect the new timetable for the introduction of the next stage of UK import requirements for transit goods.

    10. Added the email address for receiving countries to notify APHA when a consignment has left GB.

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