Skip to main content Skip to accessibility
This website is not compatible with your web browser. You should install a newer browser. If you live in Jersey and need help upgrading call the States of Jersey web team on 440099.
Government of Jerseygov.je

Information and public services for the Island of Jersey

L'înformâtion et les sèrvices publyis pouor I'Île dé Jèrri

  • Choose the service you want to log in to:

  • gov.je

    Update your notification preferences

  • one.gov.je

    Access government services

  • CAESAR

    Clear goods through customs or claim relief

  • Talentlink

    View or update your States of Jersey job application

Import, export or travel with small pets

Captive and pet birds

Importing birds from the British Islands

You can import captive and pet birds coming from:

  • the UK
  • Isle of Man
  • other Channel Islands

You must meet and comply with the conditions required in the General Licence. A copy of the licence must accompany the birds.

General licence to import captive and pet birds from the British Islands

In addition you must:

  1. notify us at least 24 hours before the animal's arrival using:
  2. meet the customs requirements on imports
  3. check if you need a permit or certificate for endangered species

Importing birds from the EU and the rest of the world

You can import birds from the EU and some other European countries.

Before your import arrives in Jersey you need to:

  1. apply and meet the conditions of the required licence for either pet or captive birds:
  2. meet the customs requirements on imports
  3. check if you need a permit or certificate for endangered species
  4. have the required model health certificate accompanying your import. The certificate must be signed by an official veterinarian or inspector of the veterinary authority in the country of origin

Model health certificates on GOV.UK

For imports of birds from the rest of the world, email rva@gov.je.

Exporting or travelling with birds to the EU and the rest of the world

To export or travel to the EU with pet birds you must:

  1. have an Export Health Certificate
  2. have the birds checked on arrival at a Traveller's Point of Entry
  3. have a CITES certificate (only required for some species)
  4. follow the applicable customs procedures on exporting or shipping goods
  5. meet the animal health and customs requirements of the importing country

You'll need to contact the authorities at the port of entry to know where your pet must be presented for checks. You may need to use an agent to manage this.

Some countries may also need additional sample testing or quarantine periods. You should contact your vet in good time to discuss current requirements.

Export Health Certificate application form to export pet birds to the EU

To travel to the EU with captive birds you must:

  1. have an Export Health Certificate
  2. enter through a Designated Border Control Port (BCPs)
  3. have an agent managing the import to the EU
  4. have a CITES certificate (only required for some species)
  5. follow the applicable customs procedures on exporting or shipping goods
  6. meet the customs requirements of the importing country

To export or travel with captive birds contact the Animal Health and Welfare Team  to discuss the movement and apply for the required documents.

You may need to contact the authorities at the port of entry to know where your bird must be presented for checks. You may need to use an agent to manage this.

Some countries may also need additional sample testing or quarantine periods. Contact your vet in advance to discuss current requirements.

To export or travel outside the EU to the rest of the world with pet birds or captive birds you must:

contact the authorities in the country of destination to find their requirements.

discuss these with your vet and the  Animal Health and Welfare Team

you may need to apply for an Export Health Certificate to export birds in non-EU countries.

Export Health Certificate application form to export birds in non-EU countries

Importing pigeons

You can import breeding or racing pigeons and hatching eggs from:

  • the EU
  • the UK
  • Isle of Man
  • other Channel Islands

Before your import arrives in Jersey you need to:

  1. apply and meet the conditions of a specific licence. To apply for a licence email rva@gov.je at least 10 working days before the import
  2. meet the customs requirements on imports
  3. check if you need a permit or certificate for endangered species

Exporting or travelling with pigeons

To export pigeons to breed you need to email the Animal Health and Welfare Team at least 10 working days before the export.

If your pigeons are travelling abroad for a race, you must:

  • make sure all racing pigeons have been vaccinated against pigeon paramyxovirus 1 before they travel
  • keep record of every race for at least 12 months
  • make sure the pigeon keeper is registered with us
  • if a requirement of the importing country travel with an export health certificate

Reptiles and amphibians

Amphibians

This information is for importers to Jersey of amphibian species to raise awareness and to assist in the control of infectious disease.

Current threats are several and varied, but the largest threats facing amphibians worldwide are Chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease of the skin and Rana Viruses, which are a group of highly infectious viruses that can decimate amphibian populations.

It is considered that the mostly likely way of disease arriving in Jersey is through the importation of infected animals. For more information, read the importation of amphibian species to Jersey information leaflet.

To import amphibians into Jersey, the amphibians must be isolated in premises approved for the purpose by the States Veterinary Officer.  An Inspector may have to inspect the isolation premise prior to a licence being issued. The isolation facility must:

  • be of an adequate size and design for the type and number of animals to be imported
  • be able to meet the animal welfare needs of the imported animals
  • be located a sufficient distance away from other amphibians
  • be accessible to essential people only
  • have strict biosecurity measures in place
  • have appropriate clothing for personnel to wear and the equipment must be dedicated for use in isolation facility

On arrival, all imported amphibians must be swabbed and samples must be submitted to a Lab approved by the States Veterinary Officer for Chytrid analysis, and give a negative result for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans. An Inspector will carry out the swabbing and all reasonable costs will have to be paid for by the importer.

If the animals test is positive for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, the animals may be exported or may be euthanised at the importers cost.

To import amphibians, you must:

  1. apply for a licence to import amphibians:
  2. meet the customs requirements on imports
  3. check if you need a permit or certificate for endangered species
  4. notify us at least 24 hours before the animal's arrival using:

Reptiles

To import reptiles to Jersey you must:

  1. meet the conditions of a general licence to import reptiles. A copy of the general licence must accompany the reptiles during transport
  2. meet the customs requirements on imports
  3. check if you need a permit or certificate for endangered species
  4. notify us at least 24 hours before the animal's arrival using:

General licence to import reptiles

Rabbits and rodents

Importing pet rabbits and rodents (non-commercial)

To import pet rabbits and rodents not to be sold or transferred to another owner you need to:

  1. only import up to 5 animals in any consignment from the EU or other European countries
  2. declare your import and pay GST (if applicable). See Goods and Services Tax (GST) section below
  3. check if you need a permit or certificate for endangered species

You do not need to complete an online pre-notification form.

There are no health requirements for imports from:

  • the EU
  • the UK
  • Isle of Man
  • other Channel Islands
  • Andorra
  • Switzerland
  • Faroe Islands
  • Gibraltar
  • Greenland
  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Monaco
  • Norway
  • San Marino
  • Vatican City State

If you import rabbits and rodents from countries other than those listed above, they must be kept in a licensed quarantine for 4 months. Jersey does not have an approved quarantine unit so you must arrange quarantine and get an import licence in the UK.

Guidance on bringing pets in Great Britain on GOV.UK
Guidance on pet quarantine on GOV.UK

Travelling to the EU (non-commercial)

If you want to take pet rodents to the EU, the entry requirements will depend on the country you're travelling to and countries you're transiting through. You'll also be subject to entry checks at the EU point of entry. For further information email the Animal Health and Welfare Team.

Commercial movements of rabbits

You can freely import rabbits for re-selling or farming from:

  • the UK
  • the Isle of Man
  • other Channel Islands

If you want to import rabbits for commercial purposes from the EU, you need:

  1. an import licence for rabbits and rodents
  2. an export health certificate issued by the country of export
  3. your premises registered under Balai Directive
  4. to declare your import and pay GST (if applicable). See Goods and Services Tax (GST) section below
  5. to check if you need a permit or certificate for endangered species

Import licence application form to import rabbits and rodents

Application to register premises under the Balai Directive

Commercial breeding of rabbits

If you keep 5 or more female rabbits for the purpose of breeding for sale you must have a Animal Welfare Licence.

Apply for an Animal Welfare Licence

Animal Welfare (Jersey) Law 2004

Customs requirements on imports

If you import live animals into Jersey you need to:

  1. declare your import and pay GST (if applicable)
  2. complete a pre-notification of import form (only for commercial imports from the EU and not required for rabbits and rodents)
This is in addition to meeting the requirements specific to the breed or species you import.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

You may need to pay GST on the animal you import if the total import cost exceeds the personal allowance. This includes the cost of:

  • the pet
  • freight
  • insurances

If your animal is free, for example a rescue animal, you need to get your animal valued for customs purposes. If your animal do not have a specific breed or species you should research the value of a similar breed or species is usually sold for. For more information email Jersey Customs and Immigration Service or call +44 (0) 1534 448000.

Importing unaccompanied personal goods and paying customs duties

Pre-notification of import

Once you have declared your import you must complete the online pre-notification form at least 1 working day before the animal's arrival in Jersey. You'll need the CAESAR declaration number from your GST declaration.

You must complete the notification form below a minimum of 1 working day before the animal is due to arrive in Jersey. You only need to complete the form for commercial imports from the EU and it's not required for rabbits and rodents. 

Notification form for the movement of animals into Jersey

Permits and certificates for endangered species

You must apply for a permit or certificate for movements of animals listed under the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). This includes for animals moving:

  • between the Channel Islands
  • to and from the UK
  • to and from the EU or the rest of the world

Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES)

Animals you cannot bring into Jersey

You cannot bring some animals into Jersey:

  • some rodents and squirrels originating in or travelling from certain countries of the sub-Saharan region of Africa
  • prairie dogs originating in or travelling from the US
  • dogs not allowed in Jersey

You cannot import some animals and species into Jersey without a licence issued by us:

  • coypu
  • grey squirrel
  • muskrat
  • fox
  • mink
  • badgers
  • Antilocapridae
  • Camelidae
  • Caprinae
  • Cervidae
  • Giraffidae
  • Suidae
  • Tragulidae

These animals are for information but are not definitive:

  • antelope
  • camels
  • sheep
  • goats
  • pigs
  • deer
  • giraffe
  • alpacas
  • llamas
  • mouse deer
Back to top
rating button