Import, export or travel with small pets

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.

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:
• Application form for licence to import amphibians, which includes conditions to prevent import of diseases
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:
• Notification form for the movement into Jersey of animals

Specimen copy of licence to import amphibians 

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:

• Notification form for the movement into Jersey of animals

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)

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