Register to export captive birds to the EU or Northern Ireland

Captive birds intended for export to the EU must be fitted with either:

• a marked closed-ring
• an injectable transponder (known as ‘microchips’) from an approved manufacturer or supplier

These must have a unique 15-digit identification number that starts with a country code prefix that meets ISO 3166 standard.

Marked closed-rings usually have the prefix  ‘GB’.

Microchips must use the prefix ‘826’ for birds coming from the UK.

Register your birds

If you own and intend to export a captive bird that has been injected with an ‘826’ transponder, you must register your bird with Defra:

• before the export takes place
• after a change in ownership (but not movement between sites of the same owner)

Exporting captive birds

You must also follow the rules for exporting and moving:

• live animals
• ungulates (hooved animals) and captive-bred birds for conservation, display, education or research