Importing products of animal origin (excluding fishery products or bivalve molluscs)

Animal products include:

• dairy products
• eggs and egg products
• honey
• red meat, poultry, farmed and wild game and foods containing these
• gelatine (other than capsules for food supplements for human consumption)

Each batch (or 'consignment') of the above products must:

• come from a country approved to export that type of product to the European Union (EU)
• come from EU-approved premises, except for egg products and honey (see the links below for these). The list of establishments approved to export animal products, apart from egg products and honey, can be found on the EU website
• be accompanied by animal health and public health certification
• enter the EU through a Border Inspection Post (BIP) where veterinary checks must be carried out (all consignments must be pre-notified to the BIP prior to arrival)

For advice on the import of any of these products, please contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 01228 403 600 (option 3) or by email at: imports@apha.gsi.gov.uk

The Agency can advise on importing gelatine capsules (both filled and empty) for food supplements for human consumption from non-EU countries.

General EU food safety and hygiene requirements will also apply.