For guidance on non-commercial pet animal movements with their owner, please see here.
Please note if you will be arriving into Northern Ireland via air, you must contact daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk at least 10 days in advance of your intended date of travel to pre-notify your arrival.
Only the following species may be considered as pet animals: dogs, cats, ferrets, reptiles, invertebrates, amphibia, ornamental aquatic fish, birds (other than poultry), rodents and pet rabbits.
No other species can be considered as pet animals for the purpose of movements.
For the movement of other species (not included in the pet animal definition) or commercial movements of pet animals, please select the relevant link from the list below.
Captive Birds, other than racing pigeons immediately released after entry
Racing pigeons to be immediately released after entry
Zoo and/or exotic animal species, including primates
Commercial movements of invertebrates/reptiles
Commercial movements of live amphibians
General Overview
Definition commercial movement means
- any movement which has as its aim either the sale of or the transfer of ownership of a pet animal or
- a movement of more than 5 pet animals per person and the movement is not for the purpose of attending a show, competition or event, or training for such event
- Flowchart to identify commercial pet travel
Guidance on GB to NI ferry booking requirements for commercial movements is available here
Useful links are:
Find an export health certificate - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Animals - European Commission (europa.eu)
TRACES - European Commission (europa.eu)
Dogs, Cats, Ferrets
Commercial Movement requirements are detailed here
Captive Birds, other than racing pigeons immediately released after entry
Currently there is no Approved Quarantine Establishment within NI. As a consequence, captive birds (other than pet bird movements), including pigeons for further keeping, are unable to be moved directly from GB into the island of Ireland. These birds must be moved via another EU member state which has quarantine facilities before onwards movement to NI is possible.
Captive birds’ means any birds other than poultry that are kept in captivity, including those that are kept for shows, races, exhibitions, competitions, breeding or selling.
Excluded are birds kept in captivity for the following reasons:
a) the production of:
i. meat
ii. eggs for consumption
iii. other products
b) restocking supplies of game birds
c) the purpose of breeding of birds used for the types of production referred to in points (a) and (b)
d) racing pigeons immediately released after entry
1. Identification requirements
“Identification number” Captive Birds must be identified in line with Article 53 of Commission Delegated Regulation 2020/692. This requires a unique marked closed ring attached at least to one leg of the animal with a visible, legible and indelible display of an alphanumeric code or an injectable transponder with a legible and indelible display of a numeric code that contains at least the following information:
a) the code of the third country or territory where they were initially identified conforming with ISO Standard 3166 in the two-letter or three-letter format.
b) a unique serial number.
2. Disease control movement requirements
Port of entry Landing must take place at either the Port of Larne or the Port of Belfast and the person in charge of the animals must report immediately following disembarkation to a Portal Inspector and must co-operate with DAERA staff as required. Animals may not leave the Port until a Portal Inspector has authorised such departure.
Pre-notification All consignments of poultry must be pre-notified to DAERA at either Larne or Belfast Port on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A. The importer or person responsible for the consignment must be registered on TRACES NT before the movement can take place. Guidance on TRACES NT registration, pre-notification and CHED A completion can be found here and here. Pre-notification on TRACES NT must be completed at least 24 hours before arrival.
Export health certificate The animals to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8460. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed here The health certificate must certify that the flock was inspected within 24 hours of loading to NI. The health certificate and the schedule must be signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV) appointed by the appropriate authority in Great Britain. Fulfilment of these attestations is a matter for consideration between the exporter and their OV in GB
The establishment must be named and supplied with an approval number that appears on a list of establishments drawn up and published by the Commission.
The Export health certificate includes requirements that the animals must not have had contact with animals of a lower health status since hatching or for a continuous period of at least 3 weeks prior to loading for dispatch, testing and/or assurance requirements for Avian Influenza, Avian Chlamydiosis, and Newcastle Disease
Cleaning and disinfection The transport vehicle must be cleansed so as to remove all visible organic matter. It must be disinfected with a disinfectant approved by Defra prior to loading of the animals. During transport the imported animals must not come into contact with animals that are not certified as being of the same health status.
GB residency information Captive Birds, other than racing pigeons immediately released after entry must have remained in the establishment of origin since hatching or for a continuous period of either at least 3 weeks prior to the date of loading for dispatch.
CITES Some species of birds are covered by the CITES legislation. If you wish to import birds which are among the CITES listed species, the birds must be accompanied by the appropriate CITES documentation in addition to the appropriate EHC and transported according to “CITES guidelines for transport”
The main office for the UK is based in Bristol and further information can be obtained from the UK CITES website Please contact the CITES licensing Section (telephone 0117 372 3700 email wildlife.licensing@apha.gov.uk) for further advice
3. Post movement requirements
Following their entry, consignments of captive birds shall be transported without delay directly to an approved quarantine establishment where they will remain for a period of 30 days and be subject to additional testing. As mentioned previously, there is currently no approved quarantine establishment in the island of Ireland.
4. Welfare during transport requirements
This journey is classed as a commercial transport and as such, all requirements under ‘The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006’ and Council Regulation EC 1/2005 must be complied with. Further guidance on these requirements is available via the following links:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport
Racing pigeons to be immediately released after entry
1. Identification requirements
The animals are required to be identified with an individual identification number by means of a unique closed ring attached to at least one leg of the animal with a visible, legible, and indelible display of an alphanumeric code that contains the code of the country or territory they were initially identified in the format of two-letter or three-letter and a unique serial number.
2. Disease control movement requirements
Port of entry Landing must take place at either the Port of Larne or the Port of Belfast and the person in charge of the animals must report immediately following disembarkation to a Portal Inspector and must co-operate with DAERA staff as required. Animals may not leave the Port until a Portal Inspector has authorised such departure.
Pre-notification All consignments must be pre-notified to DAERA at either Larne or Belfast Port at least 24 hours before arrival on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A. The importer or person responsible for the consignment must be registered on TRACES NT before the movement can take place. Guidance on TRACES NT registration, pre-notification and CHED A completion can be found here and here.
Export health certificate The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed here The health certificate and the schedule must be signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV) appointed by the appropriate authority in Great Britain. Fulfilment of these conditions is a matter for consideration between the exporter and their OV in GB
The establishment from which the pigeons originate must be registered with the Competent Authority in Great Britain.
The Export health certificate includes assurance requirements for Avian Influenza, and Newcastle Disease
Cleaning and disinfection the transport vehicle must be cleansed so as to remove all visible organic matter. It must be disinfected with a disinfectant approved by Defra prior to loading of the animals. During transport the means of transport must only contain Racing Pigeons.
3. Welfare during transport requirements
This journey is classed as a commercial transport and as such, all requirements under ‘The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006’ and Council Regulation EC 1/2005 must be complied with. Further guidance on these requirements is available via the following links:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport
Zoo and/or exotic animal species, including primates
1. Disease control movement requirements
Export health certificate Animals intended for confined establishments or exotic species intended for movement into NI from GB are subject to an import licence and Export Health Certificate (EHC). The available EHCs for these type of movements are listed and available here
Import licence An import licence must be applied for using the application form available here by emailing the fully and accurately completed form to daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk at least 10 days prior to intended movement. The establishment approval numbers must be registered on TRACES NT.
The import licence will state the conditions under which the movement into NI is permitted.
Port of entry Depending on the species, landing must take place at either the Port of Larne or the Port of Belfast and the person in charge of the animals must report immediately following disembarkation to a Portal Inspector and must co-operate with DAERA staff as required. Animals may not leave the Port until a Portal Inspector has authorised such departure.
Pre-notification All consignments must be pre-notified to DAERA at either Larne or Belfast Port at least 24 hours before arrival on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A. The importer or person responsible for the consignment must be registered on TRACES NT before the movement can take place. Guidance on TRACES NT registration, pre-notification and CHED A completion can be found here and here.
At present, DAERA continues to recognise historically approved balai registration numbers until a confined establishment approval process is operational in NI.
2. Useful links
CITES: Guidance on requirements is available here
Dangerous wild animals: Guidance is available here
Invasive alien species: Guidance is available here, here and here
Commercial movements of rodents, hyraxes, xenarthra, eulipotyphyla, marsupials and dermoptera to premises not approved under the Balai directive or not listed as confined establishments
1. Disease control import requirements
Port of entry Landing must take place at either the Port of Larne or the Port of Belfast and the person in charge of the animals must report immediately following disembarkation to a Portal Inspector and must co-operate with DAERA staff as required. Animals may not leave the Port until a Portal Inspector has authorised such departure.
Pre-notification All consignments of rodents must be pre-notified to DAERA at either Larne or Belfast Port at least 24 hours before arrival on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A. The importer or person responsible for the consignment must be registered on TRACES NT before the movement can take place. Guidance on TRACES NT registration, pre-notification and CHED A completion completion can be found here and here
Import licence and export health certificate Please note, for zoo or exotic species, an import licence must be applied for, as described under section 5 of this page. The necessary health certificate EHC 8646 and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed here. The health certificate must certify that, within 48 hours of export to NI all the animals described on the health certificate were examined and found to be healthy, free from clinical evidence of infectious or contagious disease and were fit to travel. The health certificate and the schedule must be signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV) appointed by the appropriate authority in Great Britain.
Please note that in order to sign the certificate the OV will need a written declaration from the importer or person responsible for the consignment that the animals will not be released into the wild at any time in Northern Ireland.
Fulfilment of these conditions is a matter for consideration between the exporter and their OV in GB
GB residency The animals have either remained in GB since birth, or if they were imported into GB either directly from an EU Member State or from a third country under the conditions at least as strict as those set out in the certificate.
Cleaning and disinfection The transport vehicle must be cleansed so as to remove all visible organic matter. It must be disinfected with a disinfectant approved by Defra prior to loading of the animals. During transport the imported animals must not come into contact with animals that are not certified as being of the same health status.
2. Welfare during transport requirements
Where the journey is classed as a commercial transport, all requirements under ‘The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006’ and Council Regulation EC 1/2005 must be complied with. Further guidance on these requirements is available via the following links:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport
3. Useful links
CITES: Guidance on requirements is available here
Dangerous wild animals: Guidance is available here
Invasive alien species: Guidance is available here, here and here
Commercial movements of invertebrates/reptiles
Detailed guidance on the movement requirements is available here
1. Useful links
CITES: Guidance on requirements is available here
Dangerous wild animals: Guidance is available here
Invasive alien species: Guidance is available here, here and here
Movements of ornamental fish
Detailed guidance on the movement requirements is available here
Commercial movements of live amphibians
1. Identification requirements
Transponder or other means of identification. Individual identification must be used wherever possible, but in the case of small animals batch identification may be used. A clear link between the live animals and the health certificate must be established. CITES requirements may indicate the type of identification required
2. Disease control movement requirements
Port of entry Landing must take place at either the Port of Larne or the Port of Belfast and the person in charge of the animals must report immediately following disembarkation to a Portal Inspector and must co-operate with DAERA staff as required. Animals may not leave the Port until a Portal Inspector has authorised such departure.
Pre-notification All consignments of amphibians must be pre-notified to DAERA at either Larne or Belfast Port at least 24 hours before arrival on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A. The importer or person responsible for the consignment must be registered on TRACES NT before the movement can take place. Guidance on TRACES NT registration, pre-notification and CHED A completion can be found here and here
Export health certificate The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed here. The health certificate must certify that, within 48 hours of export to NI all the animals described on the health certificate were examined and found to be healthy, free from clinical evidence of infectious or contagious disease and were fit to travel. The health certificate and the schedule must be signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV) appointed by the appropriate authority in Great Britain.
Please note that in order to sign the certificate the OV will need a written declaration from the importer or person responsible for the consignment that the animals will not be released into the wild at any time in Northern Ireland.
Fulfilment of these conditions is a matter for consideration between the exporter and their OV in GB.
Cleaning and disinfection The transport vehicle must be cleansed so as to remove all visible organic matter. It must be disinfected with a disinfectant approved by Defra prior to loading of the animals. During transport the imported animals must not come into contact with animals that are not certified as being of the same health status.
3. Welfare during transport requirements
Where the journey is classed as a commercial transport, all requirements under ‘The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006’ and Council Regulation EC 1/2005 must be complied with. Further guidance on these requirements is available via the following links:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport
4. Useful links
CITES: Guidance on requirements is available here
Dangerous wild animals: Guidance is available here
Invasive alien species: Guidance is available here, here and here
Commercial movements of live lagomorphs to premises not approved under the Balai directive or not listed as confined establishments
1. Disease control movement requirements
Port of entry Landing must take place at either the Port of Larne or the Port of Belfast and the person in charge of the animals must report immediately following disembarkation to a Portal Inspector and must co-operate with DAERA staff as required. Animals may not leave the Port until a Portal Inspector has authorised such departure
Pre-notification All consignments of amphibians must be pre-notified to DAERA at either Larne or Belfast Port at least 24 hours before arrival on TRACES-NT using a CHED-A. The importer or person responsible for the consignment must be registered on TRACES NT before the movement can take place. Guidance on TRACES NT registration, pre-notification and CHED A completion can be found here and here
Export health certificate The animals to be imported must be accompanied by an original health certificate EHC 8644. The necessary health certificate and the conditions therein required for export from GB to NI can be viewed here. The health certificate must certify that, within 48 hours of export to NI all the animals described on the health certificate were examined and found to be healthy, free from clinical evidence of infectious or contagious disease and were fit to travel. The health certificate and the schedule must be signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV) appointed by the appropriate authority in Great Britain.
Please note that in order to sign the certificate the OV will need a written declaration from the importer or person responsible for the consignment that the animals will not be released into the wild at any time in Northern Ireland.
Fulfilment of these conditions is a matter for consideration between the exporter and their OV in GB
Cleaning and disinfection The transport vehicle must be cleansed so as to remove all visible organic matter. It must be disinfected with a disinfectant approved by Defra prior to loading of the animals. During transport the imported animals must not come into contact with animals that are not certified as being of the same health status.
2. Welfare during transport requirements
Welfare during transport requirement: This journey is classed as a commercial transport and as such, all requirements under ‘The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006’ and Council Regulation EC 1/2005 must be complied with. Further guidance on these requirements is available via the following links:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/welfare-animals-during-transport