Statutory guidance

Import of treated feathers, parts of feathers and down - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/22B

Published 2 December 2024

1. General information 

This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of animal by-products (ABPs), which provides information on pre-notifications, veterinary checks, risk categories and more. 

References to European Union (EU) legislation within this document are references to direct EU legislation which has been assimilated in Great Britain (assimilated direct legislation), as defined in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and can be viewed on the UK legislation website. 

2. Scope 

Import conditions for treated feathers, parts of feathers and down. 

Treated feathers, parts of feathers and down must only be derived from Category 3 materials referred to in Article 10(b)(v), 10(h) and 10 (n) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009. 

As stated in Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 6(a) of Regulation (EU) 142/2011, the following can be imported without restrictions:

• decorative feathers or treated feathers carried by travellers for their own private use 
• treated feathers or down sent to private individuals for non-industrial purposes

3. Non-permitted imports 

Imports are not permitted for any untreated feathers and parts of feathers and down which have not been treated with a steam current or by another method that ensures that no unacceptable risks remain. 

4. Production standards 

Treated feathers for private use or non-industrial purposes 

As stated in Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 6(a) of Regulation 142/2011, decorative feathers/ treated feathers carried by travellers for their own private use/ treated feathers or down sent to private individuals for non-industrial purposes can be imported without restrictions.

Other treated feathers, parts of feathers or down 

The treated feathers, parts of feathers and down must have been produced and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 6 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011, and must have been treated with a steam current for 30 minutes or by another method that ensures no acceptable risks remain. 

It is also acceptable to use a machine washing treatment with a detergent or another method to remove organic material from the feathers followed by one or more of the following treatments:

• a heat treatment of at least 48°C for a minimum of 2 weeks
  
• irradiation with at least 20 kilogray (kGy)
  
• 53ml of 40% formaldehyde per cubic metre for at least 8 hours at 22°C to 24°C
  
• 53ml of 40% formaldehyde and 35 grams of potassium permanganate per cubic metre for 8 hours at 22°C to 24°C
  
• soaked in 10%; formalin for 4 to 4.5 hours
  
• hydrochloric acid solution for one hour at 52°C
  
• methyl-bromide: 24 to 32 g/m³ for 24 hours
  
• hydrogen peroxide for 3 hours
  
• heat treatment of 74°C for at least 30 minutes

5. Country of origin 

Imports are permitted from any trading partner.  

6. Approved establishments 

Products must be produced in an establishment approved to export to Great Britain. Importers should check prior to importation that the premises are listed on the correct list.  

Find consolidated lists of approved plants (excluding the EU) 

Find approved EU ABP establishments 

If the establishment or plant is not listed, importers are urged to contact the company concerned, who should contact their competent authority immediately. If the plant is not included on the appropriate list when veterinary checks are carried out the consignment is likely to be held and could be rejected and re-exported or destroyed. 

7. Documentation 

Treated feathers for private use or non-industrial purposes

No documentation is required for the import of treated decorative feathers, treated feathers carried by travellers for their own private use or consignments of treated feathers or down sent to private individuals in GB for non-industrial purposes.

Other treated feathers, parts of feathers or down 

No health certificate is required, but consignments must be accompanied by a commercial document completed by the exporter not more than 2 weeks prior to dispatch stating the name and address of the exporter, approval number of the premises of origin, description of the consignment, signed and dated. The commercial document must also state:

• the feathers have been obtained from birds that did not show any clinical signs of avian notifiable diseases
  
• the feathers originated from an area with no restrictions due to avian notifiable diseases
  
• the specific processing treatment used to treat the feathers which must confirm to the approved methods listed in Section 4 above. 

NOTE: Unless the commercial document states that the feathers have been factory washed and treated with hot steam at 100°C for at least 30 minutes (or treated by another method described in section 4), the consignment must be sent directly to a registered establishment or plant for such treatment once it has been imported. 

8. Pre-notifications of imports

Treated feathers for private use or non-industrial purposes 

Pre-notification is not required for these imports.

Other treated feathers, parts of feathers or down 

Pre-notification is required for these imports. 

For further information, see the IIN for general information for imports of animal by-products (ABP).

9. Veterinary checks

Treated feathers for private use or non-industrial purposes 

Veterinary checks are not applicable to these imports. 

Other treated feathers, parts of feathers or down

Veterinary checks are applicable to these imports.

For further information, see the IIN for general information for imports of animal by-products (ABP). 

10. Contact for further information  

For more information about import requirements, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) imports team:

Centre for International Trade - Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX

Email: imports@apha.gov.uk 

Telephone: 03000 200 301