General licences and authorisations to import live animals or animal products

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:

• genetic material
• live animals
• products for human consumption
• products not for human consumption

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:

• Bovine semen from the Channel Islands (IMP/GEN/2019/01) (PDF, 2.21 MB, 3 pages)
• Bovine ova and embryos from the Channel Islands (PDF, 1.75 MB, 2 pages)
• Bovine ova and embryos from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2016/05) (PDF, 64.1 KB, 2 pages)
• Bovine semen from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2008/01) (PDF, 469 KB, 4 pages)
• Equine semen from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2013/03) (PDF, 510 KB, 2 pages)
• Ovine and caprine ova and embryos from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2024/12) (PDF, 272 KB, 4 pages)
• Porcine semen from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2007/5) (PDF, 62.5 KB, 2 pages)
• Sheep and goat semen from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2014/10) (PDF, 587 KB, 2 pages)
• Red deer semen from New Zealand (IMP/GEN/2012/04) (PDF, 139 KB, 6 pages)
• Dog or cat semen from donors compliant with regulation 576/2013 (IMP/GEN/2024/10) (PDF, 177 KB, 3 pages)
• Import of laboratory produced rodent or lagomorph embryos, ova and semen to a research facility in Great Britain (IMP/GEN/2024/11) (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

• Captive or pet birds from Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2017/02) (PDF, 550 KB, 4 pages)

Cattle

• Cattle from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2016/03) (PDF, 120 KB, 3 pages)
• Cattle, breeding, production from Channel Islands (IMP/GEN/2014/09) (PDF, 180 KB, 3 pages), and amendment notice IMP/GEN/2014/09 - condition 4 amendment (PDF, 118 KB, 1 page)
• Cattle aged 15 days and over from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2016/01) (PDF, 135 KB, 3 pages)

Insects

• Drosophila melanogaster (IMP/GEN/2023/01) (PDF, 166 KB, 3 pages)

Sheep and goats

• Sheep and goats from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2015/04) (PDF, 130 KB, 3 pages)
• Sheep/Goats from Channel Islands (S&G/97/1) (PDF, 68.6 KB, 3 pages)
• Sheep and goats from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2022/01) (PDF, 110 KB, 4 pages)

Poultry

• Poultry and hatching eggs from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2004/8) (PDF, 45.1 KB, 2 pages)
• Poultry or hatching-eggs from Channel Islands (IMP/GEN/2011/12) (PDF, 71.1 KB, 2 pages)

Pigs

• Pigs, breeding, production, slaughter from Channel Islands (IMP/GEN/2012/07) (PDF, 78.9 KB, 3 pages)
• Pigs, breeding, production, slaughter from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2021/01) (PDF, 119 KB, 4 pages)
• Pigs for slaughter from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2015/03) (PDF, 128 KB, 3 pages)

Other non-domestic hoofed animals

• Non-domestic ungulates from Northern Ireland (IMP/GEN/2015/08) (PDF, 126 KB, 2 pages)
• Non-domestic ungulates from Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2015/09) (PDF, 130 KB)

Products for human consumption

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

• Authorisation for dairy products and raw milk for human consumption that have undergone a lower heat treatment than pasteurisation (IMP/GEN/2024/01) (PDF, 145 KB, 3 pages)
• Starter cultures for production of certain foods (IMP/GEN/2014/05) (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
• Certain composite products (IMP/GEN/2007/2) (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) – 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
• Gelatine capsules derived from the bovine, ovine and caprine species containing products of animal that require veterinary check at a Border Inspection Posts (IMP/GEN/2016/07) (PDF, 288 KB, 3 pages)
• Gelatine capsules derived from animals other than of the bovine, ovine and caprine species containing products of animal that require veterinary check at a Border Inspection Posts (IMP/GEN/2016/08) (PDF, 133 KB, 3 pages)
• Empty/unfilled gelatine capsules derived from the bovine, ovine and caprine species (IMP/GEN/2016/09) (PDF, 119 KB, 2 pages)
• Empty/unfilled gelatine capsules derived from species other than the bovine, ovine and caprine species (IMP/GEN/2016/10) (PDF, 275 KB, 2 pages)
• Gelatine capsules derived from the bovine, ovine and caprine species containing products that do not require checks at Border Inspection Posts (IMP/GEN/2016/11) (PDF, 284 KB, 2 pages)
• Gelatine capsules derived from species other than of the bovine, ovine and caprine species containing products that do not require checks at Border Inspection Posts (IMP/GEN/2016/12) (PDF, 283 KB, 2 pages)
• Meat extracts and meat concentrates (IMP/GEN/2017/01) (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 ‘Import of Research and Diagnostic Samples’.

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:

• Research and diagnostic samples from EU and EFTA member states (IMP/GEN/2024/13) (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:

• Treated milk and milk-based products and treated blood products, for use as a stabiliser or carrier (not exceeding 3% concentration) (IMP/GEN/2024/09) (PDF, 2.22 MB, 5 pages)
• Certain products in 3% or less animal by-product carrier/stabilizer (IMP/GEN/14/02) (PDF, 159 KB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all countries
• Treated milk and milk-based products and treated blood products, for use as a stabiliser or carrier (not exceeding 10%) (IMP/GEN/2024/03) (PDF, 427 KB, 4 pages)
• Certain products for in vitro use with 10% or less animal by-product carrier/stabilizer (IMP/GEN/2015/06) (PDF, 165 KB, 4 pages)
• Research and diagnostic samples - cells from marsupialia, rodentia, lagomorpha, euliptyphla, canidae, felide, mustelidae (IMP/GEN/18/03) (PDF, 222 KB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all third countries
• Research and diagnostic samples - from marsupialia, rodentia, lagomorpha, euliptyphla, canidae, felide, mustelidae (IMP/GEN/18/04) (PDF, 238 KB, 7 pages) - Country of origin: all third countries
• Research and diagnostic samples - laboratory primates (1) (IMP/GEN/14/08) (PDF, 1 MB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all third countries
• Research and diagnostic samples - laboratory primates (IMP/GEN/14/07) (PDF, 2.21 MB, 6 pages) - Country of origin: all third countries
• Heat treated animal products of ungulates born and bred in captivity (IMP/GEN/2010/07) (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. Amendment notice (IMP/GEN/2010/07) (PDF, 106 KB, 2 pages)
• Heat treated animal products of domestic, zoo and laboratory mammals born and bred in captivity (IMP/GEN/2010/08) (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. Amendment notice (IMP/GEN/2010/08) (PDF, 99.2 KB, 2 pages)
• Eggs and egg product samples (IMP/GEN/2010/03) (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 Amendment notice (PDF, 110 KB, 3 pages))
• Heat treated milk samples (IMP/GEN/2010/04) (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 Amendment notice (PDF, 110 KB, 3 pages))
• Samples, mammals, birds for research and diagnosis (IMP/GEN/2013/01) (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
• Tissues, mammals, birds fixed in formalin, research (IMP/GEN/2011/03) (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
• Product derived from fish, reptiles and invertebrates (IMP/GEN/2010/01) (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 Amendment notice (PDF, 110 KB, 3 pages))
• Processed feather samples (IMP/GEN/2010/06) (PDF, 807 KB, 4 pages) - Processed feather samples from Third Countries. Country of origin: All non-EU countries. Amendment notice (IMP/GEN/2010/06) (PDF, 106 KB, 2 pages)
• Certain animal products derived from family canidae, family felidae. Order rodentia and order lagomorpha born and bred in captivity (IMP/GEN/2010/12) (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. Amendment notice (IMP/GEN/2010/12) (PDF, 101 KB, 2 pages)
• Honey for laboratory (IMP/GEN/2010/16) - amendment notice (PDF, 133 KB, 4 pages) - Honey intended for educational, research and diagnostic purposes. Country of origin: All third countries. Amendment notice (IMP/GEN/2010/16) (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.  

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

• Treated milk and milk-based products and treated blood products, for use as a stabiliser or carrier (not exceeding 3% concentration) (IMP/GEN/2024/02) (PDF, 379 KB, 4 pages)
• Certain products in 3% or less animal by-product carrier/stabilizer (IMP/GEN/14/02) (PDF, 159 KB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all countries
• Processed animal by-products for educational tools (IMP/GEN/2013/04) (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
• Hay and straw from EU and certain other European countries (IMP/GEN/2011/08) (PDF, 35.8 KB, 1 page)
• Hay and straw from third countries (IMP/GEN/2023/02) (PDF, 80.1 KB, 2 pages)
• Treated milk and milk-based products and treated blood products, for use as a stabiliser or carrier (not exceeding 10%) (IMP/GEN/2024/04) (PDF, 381 KB, 4 pages)
• Certain products for in vitro use with 10% or less animal by-product carrier/stabilizer (IMP/GEN/2015/06) (PDF, 165 KB, 4 pages)
• Imports of pearls in oyster shells (containing oyster flesh) in ready to sell containers not for human consumption (IMP/GEN/2018/01) (PDF, 1.51 MB, 3 pages)
• Animal tissue from mammals or birds fixed in formalin (IMP/GEN/2011/04) (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.

• EU trade samples (IMP/GEN/2024/05) (PDF, 120 KB, 3 pages)
• EU display items (IMP/GEN/2025/04)(IMP/GEN/2025/06) (PDF, 144151 KB, 45 pages)
• Certain materials for purposes other than feeding to farmed land animals (IMP/GEN/2024/07) (PDF, 122 KB, 3 pages)
• EU non-harmonised animal by-products (IMP/GEN/2025/03)(IMP/GEN/2025/05) (PDF, 141150 KB, 45 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:

• Game trophies and other preparations (IMP/GEN/14/06) (PDF, 1.11 MB, 3 pages) - Country of origin: all countries
• Empty blown ostrich and emu egg shells - all countries (IMP/GEN/2004/11) (PDF, 51.3 KB, 2 pages)
• Laboratory test kits - all countries (IMP/GEN/2004/10) (PDF, 50.9 KB, 2 pages)
• Decorative feathers - all countries (IMP/GEN/2007/06) (PDF, 68.5 KB, 2 pages)
• Finish hides and skins - all countries (IMP/GEN/2004/02) (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
• Treated skins and furs - all countries (IMP/GEN/2003/1180) (PDF, 380 KB, 2 pages)
• Finished cosmetic products - certain third countries (IMP/GEN/2004/5) (PDF, 50.3 KB, 2 pages)
• Fresh or chilled hides and skins from ungulates for further processing from The Channel Islands and Isle of Man (IMP/GEN/2016/04) (PDF, 115 KB, 3 pages)
• Products and substances licenced under pathogens and medicines legislation (IMP/GEN/2010/15) (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
• DNA, plasmid DNA or RNA, stem cells, proteins, antibodies, peptides, cell cultures (IMP/GEN/2008/03) (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