Statutory guidance

Import of treated game trophies or other preparations of animals where a health certificate is not required - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/6C

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 game trophies or other preparations of animals where health certification is not required. 

These provisions are in relation to animal health rules and are without prejudice to the measures for the protection of wild fauna, adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) 338/97. 

As stated in Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 5 point 1 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011 and Annex XIII, Chapter VI point B and point C.1 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011, game trophies and other preparations which meet the requirements of safe sourcing (a) and safe treatment (b) laid down in Annex XIII, Chapter VI, points B and C can be imported without restrictions. 

a) Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 5 point 1 and Annex XIII, Chapter VI point B of Regulation (EU) 142/2011 states that game trophies or other preparations from animals, where for the preparation the animal by-products have been submitted to a treatment or are presented in a state which does not pose any health risks, may be imported without restrictions, provided they: 

  • are species other than ungulates, birds, and animals of the biological class Insecta or Arachnida; and 
  • are animals originating in an area not subject to restrictions as a result of the presence of serious transmissible diseases to which animals of the species concerned are susceptible. 

b) As stated in Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 5 point 1 and Annex XIII, Chapter VI point C.1 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011 game trophies or other preparations from animals, which have been submitted to a treatment or are presented in a state which does not pose any health risks, may be imported without restrictions, provided they: 

  • originate from ungulates or birds which have undergone a complete taxidermy treatment ensuring their preservation at ambient temperatures
  • are mounted ungulates or birds or mounted parts of such animals
  • have been subject to an anatomical preparation such as plastination
  • are animals of the biological class Insecta or Arachnida which have been subject to a treatment, such as drying, to prevent any transmission of diseases communicable to humans or animals
  • are objects in natural history collections or for the promotion of science and they have been: 
    • preserved in media, such as alcohol or formaldehyde, which allow display of the items
    • embedded completely on micro-slides
  • are processed DNA samples intended for repositories for the promotion of biodiversity research, ecology, medical and veterinary science, or biology 

3. Production standards 

The treated game trophies and other preparations must have been obtained, produced and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 5 point 1 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011 and Annex XIII, Chapter VI point B and point C.1 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011, as above in section 2a) or 2b). 

4. Country of origin 

The products can come from any country. 

5. Health certification or documentation 

Game trophies and other preparations (IMP/GEN/14/06) (PDF, 1.11 MB, 3 pages) lays down the import conditions in full for imports of certain processed animal by-products referred to in points 2.a and 2.b above.

6. Veterinary checks  

Consignments may be imported via any port or airport in Great Britain (GB). Veterinary checks are not required at the border. 

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