Transporting animals to, from or through Great Britain
Find out what documents you need, and records you must keep, to meet animal welfare in transport requirements.
Applies to England
To transport animals between Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and another country, first read our guidance on transporting animals in Great Britain to find out if you need a UK issued:
- transporter authorisation
- certificate of competence
- certificate of vehicle approval
If you need any of these documents to transport animals in Great Britain, you’ll also need EU issued versions to transport animals in the EU.
If you’re transporting animals to any other country, you must contact the competent authority for that country to find out what rules you need to follow.
The competent authority is the government department, or appropriate authority, responsible for animal welfare in transport for that country.
These rules apply if you’re:
- transporting into Great Britain
- transporting from Great Britain
- transiting through Great Britain
Journey logs
You must have a journey log if your journey is over 8 hours, to a country outside of the UK and you’re transporting:
- cattle, sheep, pigs or goats
- unregistered domestic horses or other equines
If you’re transporting animals between Great Britain and the EU, you’ll need:
- a UK issued journey log
- an EU issued journey log
UK issued journey log
If you depart from Great Britain, to a country outside the UK, you must get a journey log approved by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). You must complete section 1 of the journey log and return it to APHA at least 2 working days before the journey starts.
If you depart from Northern Ireland, to a country outside the UK, you must get a journey log approved by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). You must complete section 1 of the journey log and return it to DAERA at least 2 working days before the journey starts.
EU issued journey log
If you’re transporting from Great Britain to the EU, you must get an EU journey log from the competent authority for the country where you first enter the EU.
If you’re transporting from the EU to, or through, Great Britain, you must get an EU journey log from the competent authority for the country where your journey starts.
Contact the EU competent authority before your journey for guidance on how to get a journey log.
Control posts
You may need to rest animals at an approved control post if they are being imported to, exported from, or transiting through Great Britain.
When you request a journey log, APHA will also provide guidance on journey times and rest stops.
Transporting animals between Great Britain and the EU
If you need any of these documents to transport animals in Great Britain, you’ll also need EU issued versions to transport animals in the EU.
EU issued transporter authorisation
You’ll need to:
- have a representative in the relevant EU country
- contact the competent authority for the EU country you wish to apply to
- seek independent legal advice, specific to your business
- discuss with your relevant trade organisation
You can only hold a transporter authorisation issued by one EU member state.
You must carry a copy of your authorisation when transporting animals.
EU issued certificate of competence
You can apply for a certificate of competence from any EU country, including the Republic of Ireland.
You’ll need to contact the competent authority in your chosen EU country for details of the training and assessment process.
EU issued certificate of vehicle approval
You’ll need to contact the competent authority in your chosen EU country to find out how to get a vehicle inspected. They should also give you information on the vehicle approval process.
Importing, exporting and transiting animals
If you’re importing or exporting live animals, you may need to get licences or certificates and go through checks.
Read guidance on transporting live animals:
- from Great Britain to the EU or Northern Ireland
- from the EU or Northern Ireland to Great Britain
- into Great Britain under Balai rules
- through Great Britain (transiting)
You cannot export live cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or horses for fattening or 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. You must meet legal requirements to protect animal welfare during transport.
Animal welfare in transport
Find out how to meet your animal welfare in transport requirements.
Find out what documents you need, and records you must keep, to meet animal welfare in transport requirements when transporting animals in Great Britain.
Updates to this page
Published 23 May 2024Last updated 22 July 2024 + show all updates
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Added information about the ban on exporting live animals for fattening or slaughter, beneath the ‘Importing exporting and transiting animals’ subheading.
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First published.