Statutory guidance

Import of fresh or chilled hides and skins of ungulates not for human consumption - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/5A

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 fresh or chilled hides and skins of ungulates. 

Untreated hides and skins are defined in Regulation (EU) 142/2011 as cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues that have not undergone any treatment, other than cutting, chilling or freezing. 

The fresh or chilled hides and skins must be derived from Category 3 materials referred to in Article 10 (a) and (b)(iii) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009. 

3. Production standards 

The fresh or chilled hides and skins must only have been obtained, produced and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex XIV, Chapter II, Section 4 points 1 and 4 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. 

4. Country of origin 

Imports are permitted from trading partners listed in a document published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers for:

• non-EU countries
• EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries 

Fresh or chilled hides and skins must come from a country, or in the case of regionalisation, a part of a country listed in the document for fresh meat of ungulates from which imports of fresh meat from the same species are authorised.  

5. Approved establishments 

Products must be produced in an establishment approved to export to Great Britain (GB). 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 or establishment of origin 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. 

6. Health certification

Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate.

Model health certificates for hides, horns and trophies

This requirement applies to products in the high and medium risk categories. Find information about import risk categories, inspection rates and related rules for animals and animal products imported from:

• the EU to GB

• non-EU countries to GB

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