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Export male horses to the USA: certificate 3987

Apply online to export stallions/male horses to USA.

Updates to this page

From:
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published:
30 November 2018
Last updated:
6 May 2026
Show all updates

  1. Process for applying for EHC in Northern Ireland has changed

  2. Screwworm VEE FMD SUP and guidance notes for Screwworm VEE and FMD SUP have been updated

  3. Guidance notes updated regarding the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act 2024.

  4. From 22nd July 2024, you cannot export cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or horses for fattening and slaughter.

  5. Updated NFG

  6. Guidance notes updated.

  7. Piroplasmosis Addendum removed

  8. Screwworm and FMD SUP and Screwworm and FMD SUP NFG added

  9. Piroplasmosis Health Certificate Addendum document has been added to the certificate.

  10. The guidance notes have been amended.

  11. Guidance notes updated.

  12. Updated specimen certificate released.

  13. Specimen certificate updated.

  14. Specimen certificate and guidance notes updated

  15. A new version of guidance notes for certificate 3987 export male horses to the USA have been released.

  16. A new version of the EHC has been released.

  17. Guidance notes updated and application for APHA Veterinarian countersignature ET145 document added

  18. Added a link to EHC online - a new digital service that allows exporters to apply for and manage their export health certificates online.

  19. EHC version to 3

  20. First published.

Destination country:
USA
Commodity type:
Equine
Certificate status:
Active

You cannot export cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or horses for fattening and slaughter. This applies to journeys from or through Great Britain to anywhere outside the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man. You can still export live cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or horses for other purposes. For example, for breeding and competitions.

Apply for an export health certificate online

If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales, you must apply for this export health certificate (EHC) using the online service.

If you’re in Northern Ireland, you must apply to DAERA.

1. Check what you need for your export

Find out about the requirements for export in the guidance notes and guidance notes for Screwworm VEE and FMD SUP certificate.

Download a specimen certificate Export male horses (stallions) to the USA: EHC 3987, version 6 and Support document: SCREWWORM VEE FMD SUP, version 2.

This certificate must be countersigned by an APHA Veterinarian. Apply for this countersignature by downloading an ET145 document from Improve International

2. Apply online

You’ll need:

  • a Government Gateway account
  • a Defra account

If you don’t already have them you’ll need to register for these accounts, and so will your official vet or inspector.

Start now

Registration takes around 5 minutes. Official vets and inspectors will also need to have their registration checked by APHA.

Register and sign in as an official vet or inspector.

Read the accessibility statement for this service.

Applying online means you can:

  • see the status of your applications
  • always use the latest version of the EHC
  • copy existing applications
  • apply for multiple certificates

Exporting from Northern Ireland

If you’re in Northern Ireland, you no longer need to download this EHC. You will complete the EHC template as part of the DAERA online application process (DECS).

For more information, see the DECS Application User Guide

  1. Find out about the requirements for export in the guidance notes, guidance notes for Screwworm VEE and FMD SUP certificate and Export male horses (stallions) to the USA: EHC 3987, version 6.

  2. Download and complete the Support document: PIROPLASMOSIS ADDENDUM, version 1 and Support document: SCREWWORM VEE FMD SUP, version 2 which you will upload as part of your application.

  3. Start your application.

Make sure you examine the latest version of the EHC and guidance notes as they are sometimes updated. The latest versions are on this page.

Help with your application

In England, Scotland and Wales, call APHA on 03000 200 301.

In Northern Ireland, call DAERA on 02877442060.

Find out about call charges.

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