The aim of the instructions is to ensure that the traveller does not bring home products that can cause the spread of animal diseases.
African swine fever (ASF) is spreading within the European Union. For more information on the disease, go to this link
NOTE! AS A RULE, IT IS PROHIBITED TO IMPORT PET FOOD CONTAINING INGREDIENTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN FROM COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE EU
The following are exceptions to this main rule:
- Ordinary pet foods containing meat or milk of animal origin can be imported from the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland up to a maximum of 10 kg.
- Only pet foods produced for medical purposes can be imported under the conditions that these products:
- are intended for the pet accompanying the passenger;
- are shelf-stable;
- are packaged proprietary brand products for direct sale to the final consumer; and
- that the packaging is unbroken unless in current use.
maximum of 2 kg per person or per pet provided that they do not have to be chilled before opening and that they are appropriately packed branded products for retail sale, and the packages have not been opened or broken.
Any lots that do not fulfil the requirements above, have to be taken to the veterinary border inspection for which a fee will be charged, and they have to fulfil the conditions mentioned below for commercial import (permitted establishment and country of import, health certificate), or be handed over to Customs to be destroyed.
Game trophies
Game trophies of species other than ungulates and birds are not subject to any other requirements apart from the CITES requirements. Also game trophies of species other than ungulates and birds are not usually subject to any other requirements than the CITES requirements, if they have undergone a complete taxidermy treatment ensuring their preservation at ambient temperature, which means a veterinary border inspection is not needed.
Import for personal use from third countries
The import of animal products may cause a risk for the spread of animal diseases to live animals. Such highly contagious animal diseases are for example foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever. Travellers play an important role when it comes to keeping animal diseases out of the EU. These rules apply to lots the traveller brings with them, and lots that have been ordered or sent to them.
These rules for food and feed do not apply to EU member states, and not to import for personal use from the following countries: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland. There are no restrictions as to quantity when importing from the countries above, as long as the value does not exceed the limits set by Customs for import for personal use, and as long as the quantity can be considered reasonable for personal use.
In addition, the restrictions that have been set for import for personal use below, also always have to adhere to any safeguard measures. Safeguard measures are temporary import bans for countries and/or areas related to an outbreak of animal diseases in the country or area in question. The importer is always responsible for following up any safeguard measures.
No prohibitions or restrictions based on the animal’s health apply to game trophies of ungulates and birds brought in by a private individual, which have undergone a complete taxidermy treatment or otherwise ensuring their preservation at ambient temperatures when they are not intended for sale and are not to be handed on, No veterinary border inspection will be carried out when the quantity can be considered reasonable for personal use.
For game trophies originating from species other than ungulates or bears (rabbits, hares and other land mammals) no prohibitions or restrictions based on the health of the animals are applied (regardless of the treatment). A veterinary border inspection will not be carried out for them.