Travel between Jersey and the EU from 1 January 2021
From 1 January 2021 there are changes to the animal health requirements to enter the EU.
Specific equine health certificates have been agreed. It is a requirement for all equines to travel to the EU with an Export Health Certificate and enter the EU via a Border Control Post (BCP). You will need an agent in the EU to notify the BCP on your behalf and ensure that customs notifications are also made.
There may also be a requirement for additional blood tests to be carried out within 30 days of travel to the EU. Total preparation time may take up to 6 weeks.
You will need additional welfare in transport authorisations in order to transport within the EU and for unregistered horses, you may need a journey log issued in the destination country. Please see the guidance below.
From the 1 January 2021 the requirements to bring a horse to Jersey have also changed.
It is a requirement for all equines to travel to Jersey with a British Export Health Certificate and meet all the requirements of the General Licence issued by the Minister for the Environment. The General Licence may be reviewed from time to time and the condition altered so each time a horse is imported the importer must ensure they have the most update version to accompany the horse when imported and will be available on this web page.
Exporting to the EU
This includes both to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
All horses, ponies and donkeys need to have:
- a valid
horse passport with a completed
Section IX
- been certified by an official veterinarian (OV) for export, who has seen the passport
- a valid export health certificate
- a supplementary document issued by the OV in the case of unregistered horses
- a welfare declaration,
special rules for horses and ponies on GOV.UK
- declaration by Captain / Master of the ship / aircraft and attached to the health certificate
Health certificate
Exporters apply to Natural Environment for an export health certificate by completing and returning the application form, allowing 10 working days for processing.
The fee for 2021 is £65.50
Export health certificate application form
Guidance notes to help complete the export health certificate on gov.uk
Importing from the EU
This includes horse imports from the Republic of Ireland.
You need a passport and the relevant health certificate. The EU vet will issue one of the following
- For Re- entry horses. GBHC167E
- For Registered horses GBHC168E
- For Unregistered horses. GBHC169E
The certificates can be viewed here: Equine health certificates on gov.uk
In some cases, blood sampling is required so you need to discuss this in advance with your EU vet
Horses General Licence
To avoid unnecessary delays on entry you should make your
customs entry in advance.
You must notify Natural Environment, veterinary team
by email at least 1 working day before entry and you must supply a copy of the certificate at that time to avoid delays on entry. Travelling with a trailer or horse box in the EU
If you're travelling in the EU with a trailer or horse box, please refer to the
Driving in Europe information.
You will need additional Welfare in Transport authorisations, refer to the
guidance on transporting animals on gov.uk.
You should also contact the authorities in the country you're going to and any countries you are transiting to find out what the welfare during transport requirements are.
GST
If you import a horse for long-term personal use, you are liable for GST. Contact
Customs and Excise for relevant forms and fees.
Movements between Jersey and Guernsey
To travel to Guernsey a general licence to import is available, contact the Guernsey Commerce and Employment Department on +44 (0) 1481 234567.
Movement from Guernsey to Jersey is not restricted, no licence is required. A valid equine passport is always required for travel.
Movements between Jersey and Great Britain
A valid equine passport is always required for travel.
UK authorities (DEFRA) advise that you can contact them. You can apply for a horse passport online on the GOV.UK website.
Movements between Jersey and non-EU Countries (Third Countries)
Contact the Department of the Environment. These horses will need to enter via a BCP in GB and would need to meet the UK’s import conditions.
gov.je