Getting and using a horse passport
Import or export a horse or related animal
What you need to do depends on whether you’re importing or exporting the horse or related animal.
Importing
Any horse coming into the UK must have an up-to-date horse passport. This can come from:
- a UK Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO)
- an approved body from another country
If the horse will be in the UK for more than 90 days and does not have a UK horse passport, you must register the foreign passport with a UK PIO. You must apply within 30 days of the horse’s arrival.
Use a PIO that manages studbooks if you have a pedigree.
There are limited circumstances where you do not need to register the foreign passport with a UK PIO. A PIO will tell you if one of those circumstances apply if you contact them.
If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales, read more about the rules for:
- importing horses from Northern Ireland, EU countries and Norway
- importing horses from any other country
If you’re in Northern Ireland, read more about importing animals.
Exporting
You must keep the passport with the horse and follow the rules for: