Statutory guidance

Import of treated wool, hair and fur - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/23B

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 wool, hair and fur. 

Wool and hair are defined as:

• ‘Wool’ means the natural fibre grown by sheep or lambs
• ‘Fine animal hair’ means the hair of alpaca, llama, vicuna, camel (including dromedary), yak, angora, Tibetan, Kashmir or similar goats (but not common goats), rabbit, (including Angora rabbit), hare, beaver, nutria or muskrat
• ‘Coarse animal hair’ means all other animal hair than ‘fine animal hair’ with the exception of, among other things, pigs’ bristles or pigs’ hair
• ‘Horsehair’ is defined as hair of the manes or tails of equine or bovine animals 

3. Production standards 

In accordance with Chapter VIII, Article 25 point 2 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011, the treated wool, hair and fur must have undergone one of the following treatments:

a) wool and hair which has been factory washed or which has been treated by another method which ensures that no unacceptable risks remain

b) furs which have been dried at an ambient temperature of 18°C for a period of at least two days at a humidity of 55%

c) wool and hair produced from animals other than those of the porcine species, which has been treated by factory-washing which consisting of the immersion of the wool and hair in series of baths of water, soap and sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide

d) wool and hair produced from animals other than those of the porcine species, which is dispatched directly to a plant producing derived products from wool and hair for the textile industry and has been treated by at least one of the following methods:

      i) chemical depilation by means of slaked lime or sodium sulphide

      ii) fumigation in formaldehyde in a hermetically sealed chamber for at least 24 hours

      iii) industrial scouring which consists of the immersion of wool and hair in a water-soluble detergent held at 60°C to 70°C

      iv) storage, which may include the journey time, at 37°C for eight days, 18°C for 28 days or 4°C for 120 days

4. Country of origin 

Imports are permitted from any country. 

5. Documentation 

No health certificate is required. 

However, a commercial document stating at least details of the consignor and consignee, country of origin, the quantity of the material, in volume, weight or number of packages  treatment or processing method and species of the wool, hair or fur must accompany the consignment for traceability purposes and may be required at the point of entry into Great Britain (GB).

If the product is stored as per Section 3d, the temperature, dates and storage information must be provided on the commercial document otherwise the product will be classed an untreated product. 

6. Veterinary checks 

These products are not subject to veterinary checks. However please be aware that officials could ask for the information as required by this IIN. 

7. 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