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Importing a horse from inside the European Union

If you import a horse from another country inside the European Union (EU), it will need a valid horse passport. The passport must have been issued by an authorised Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) in the EU.

All passports issued by EU Member States conform to a set format defined in legislation, so any EU-issued passport should meet UK specifications.

If the organisation is unauthorised, or a passport hasn’t been provided, you’ll need to apply for a new passport to a PIO in the UK. This must be done within 30 days of importing the horse. Follow the links below for a list of authorised PIOs in the UK and the EU.

See ‘Getting a horse passport’ for more information about the process of applying for a horse passport.

• Passport Issuing Organisations in the UK - Defra Opens new window

• Passport Issuing Organisations in the EU Opens new window

• Getting a horse passport

Updating ‘Section IX’ of the passport

If the horse’s passport doesn’t include Section IX, it will need to be updated. Section IX includes a declaration stating whether or not the horse is intended for human consumption. You should send the passport to the organisation that issued it to have it updated with Section IX.

See ‘Getting a horse passport’ for more information about completing Section IX of the horse passport.

• Getting a horse passport

Importing a horse from outside the European Union

If you import a horse from a country outside of the EU, you’ll need to apply for a horse passport from an authorised PIO in the UK. You must do this within 30 days of importing the horse.

Horses that are in the UK for a short period

If you import a horse, but it remains in the UK for less than 30 days, it won’t need a horse passport.

Exporting a horse

You’ll need a valid passport if you are moving your horse out of the UK. You must sign the declaration in Section IX of the passport and have it counter-signed by the PIO or a local veterinary inspector.

Import and export controls and procedures

Exporting a horse, especially to a country outside the EU, normally requires careful planning. You’ll need to start making preparations well before you export your horse. For more information, like whether your horse needs a route plan or an export licence, visit the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website.

• International trade of animals - Defra Opens new window

More useful links

• Horse passports - why you need them and what they contain

• Updating a horse passport and cancelling duplicates

• Contact the horse passport team at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Opens new window

• Green volunteering and working with animals

• Highway Code - horse riders and animals (travel and transport section)

• Trails and walks (environment and greener living section)

Useful contacts

• Home and community contacts