Guidance on exporting animals and animal products in a no-deal Brexit

Exports to the EU from the UK

You need to follow different guidance for:

• pets
• horses
• fish and fishery products
• endangered animals
• animals for display, research and conservation (under the Balai directive)

Animals, products of animal origin or germplasm

To transport these products from the UK to the EU in a no-deal Brexit, you’ll need:

• an export health certificate, which you need to apply for in advance
• to get your goods checked at a border inspection post (BIP) that can accept your type of goods, in the first EU country you enter
• to make sure your EU-based import agent has notified the BIP that your consignment is arriving - check with the BIP for how much notice needs to be given
• to comply with wider HMRC guidance on customs requirements for exporting to the EU

If you’re exporting live animals, meat or dairy, you can view flowcharts with the steps you need to take.

You’ll also need follow new rules on identifying livestock, if you want to export sheep, cattle, goats and pigs to the EU in a no-deal Brexit.

You should read additional rules if you:

• export composite food products to the EU
• want to check if your product counts as a composite food product

Animal by-products

To export animal by-products (ABP), you’ll need to check the export health certificate (EHC) finder to get either:

• an export health certificate (EHC)
• a model declaration form

If you cannot find either of these for your product type, you’ll need to contact the competent authority in the EU country where your consignment is going - this means the equivalent of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in that country. They will send you the paperwork you’ll need to fill in.

You’ll also need to comply with HMRC guidance on customs requirements for exporting to the EU.

Some ABPs need to go through a BIP. You can confirm this by checking the EU list of products which must be inspected by a vet at a BIP.

If your ABP needs to go through a BIP you must make sure that your:

• goods are checked at a border inspection post (BIP) that can accept your type of goods, in the first EU country you enter
• EU-based import agent has notified the BIP that your consignment is arriving - check with the BIP for how much notice needs to be given

If your ABP does not need to go through a BIP, you must make sure that your EU-based import agent notifies the:

• competent authority of the EU state that your consignment is going to
• EU port or airport, within the time limits set out by the competent authority

Exports to non-EU countries (third countries) from the UK

There’s unlikely to be any change to the current export rules and processes for countries outside the EU. Make sure you check the existing guidance on exporting live animals.

Consignments destined for non-EU countries that transit the EU will need both an:

• EU Transit Certificate, held on the export health certificate (EHC) finder - if you cannot find one, contact APHA Carlisle
• EHC for the final destination (the non-EU country)

You’ll need an EU importer who will take responsibility for the consignment while it’s transiting the EU. You’ll also need to check HMRC guidance on any customs declarations you’ll need to make.

Border and customs offices

Goods will only be able to enter the EU through a BIP designated for the specific consignment.

BIPs are currently being built to be ready for when the UK leaves the EU. Check the list of existing BIPs in the EU and consider how to redirect your trade route if necessary.

You should contact your import agent in the EU to make sure that they notify the BIP through the EU’s Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) of the arrival of their consignment.

An EU BIP requires advance notice of goods arriving - check with the BIP for how much notice is needed.

EU listing of the UK and its establishments

The European Commission will vote before Brexit on whether to list the UK as a ‘third country’ and allow exports of:

• live animals
• germplasm
• POAO
• ABPs

If the vote is passed, the UK will be listed as an approved ‘third country’(non-EU country) to allow these exports to continue to the EU, in a no-deal Brexit.

EU listing for exporters and suppliers

You’ll need to be listed as an approved establishment with the EU if you either:

• export POAO including red or white meat, fish and fish products, or dairy and egg products - read guidance on how to get listed
• germplasm - contact APHA Centre for International Trade to be listed
• animal by-products - contact the ABP team on 03000 200 301 or CSCOneHealthABP@apha.gov.uk to be listed
• supply other UK establishments that export these goods to the EU

The European Commission has confirmed that the current list of UK animal by-product and germplasm premises will be accepted in a no-deal Brexit.

Documents for transporters

Documents issued by the UK will only be valid in the UK and not in EU countries.

Read the Department for Transport guidance for more information.

Other export requirements

Before exporting, businesses must:

• register for an Economic Operator Register and Identification (EORI) number
• be aware of potential EU trade tariff changes
• find out the commodity code for your goods
• choose the correct customs procedure code (CPC) for your goods
• check the wider HMRC guidance for exporters

Trade agreements

Where replacement trade agreements are not agreed, trade would take place on World Trade Organization (WTO) terms with that country.

The temporary tariff policy announced in March would apply to all UK imports from countries the UK does not have trading arrangements in place with, including the EU.

Find out which non-EU countries the UK has trading arrangements with.

Find out which new trade agreements will be in place if there’s a no-deal Brexit.