Reptile Meat
- Published on: 1 October 2019
- Last updated on: 11 April 2025
- General Principles and Relevant Legislation
- Special Import Conditions
- Veterinary Certification
- Document Submission
- Border Control
General Principles and Relevant Legislation
1. ‘Reptiles’ are defined, in Article 2 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/625, as animals belonging to the species Alligator mississippiensis, Crocodylus johnstoni, Crocodylus niloticus,
Crocodylus porosus, Timon Lepidus, Python reticulatus, Python molurus bivittatus or Pelodiscus sinensis.
2. ‘Reptile meat’ is defined as the edible parts, either unprocessed or processed, derived from farmed reptiles, which are, when applicable, authorised in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470.
3. Reptile meat can be imported into the Union provided that they:
a. Come from an approved country/part of a country
b. Come from an EU approved establishment.
c. Are accompanied by an agreed animal/public health certificate
4. Reptiles meat must have been produced in accordance with the conditions laid down in:
a. Council Directive 2002/99/EC laying down the animal health rules governing the production, processing, distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumption
b. Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffe
c. Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 laying down specific rules for food of animal origin
d. Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products
e. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/625 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/625 with regard to requirements for the entry into the Union of consignments of certain animals and goods intended for human consumptionCouncil Directive 2002/99/EC laying down the animal health rules governing the production, processing, distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumptionRegulation (EC) No 178/2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety
f. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/625 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/625 with regard to requirements for the entry into the Union of consignments of certain animals and goods intended for human consumption
Special Import Conditions
1. Consignments of reptile meat may only be imported into the Union from Switzerland, Botswana, Vietnam, South Africa or Zimbabwe.
2. Reptile meat must be produced in establishments approved to export to the EU: See list here
3. Reptile meat must come from (an) establishment(s) implementing a programme based on the hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) principles in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004.
4. Reptile meat must have been handled and, where appropriate, prepared, packaged and stored in a hygienic manner in accordance with the requirements of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
5. Reptile meat must be sampled and tested for Salmonella in accordance with the requirements laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs.
6. Reptile meat must be obtained from animals that have satisfactorily undergone ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection laid down in Article 73 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/627 and Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
7. Reptile meat originating from crocodile or alligator meat must have tested negative during post-mortem inspection for the presence of Trichinella spp. in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1375.
8. Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have international agreements with the EU which means that they implement EU veterinary legislation in relation to the movement of animal products. Animal products from these countries must comply with the same requirements applying to animal products from EU Member States and are therefore not subject to veterinary checks.
9. Other Third Countries have special conditions associated with the importation of animal products. Further information can be found in the following legislation relevant to that particular country:
a. Canada: Council Decision 1999/201/EC
b. China: Decision 2002/994/EC
c. New Zealand: Commission Decision 2015/1084 (EU); Decision 2015/1901
d. Japan: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/6
e. Switzerland: Decision of the Council and of the Commission 2002/309/EC; Regulation (EC) No. 599/2004
f. USA: Council Decision 1998/258/EC
Veterinary Certification
1. Consignments of reptile meat shall be presented at a Community Border Inspection Post accompanied by a veterinary health certificate, drawn up in conformity with the Model reptile meat for human consumption intended for human consumption based on Part XII of Annex III to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/628.
2. The certifying veterinarian should ensure that only the relevant paragraphs and, where appropriate, additional guarantees and/or special conditions applicable to exporting country are included.
Document Submission
1. Consignments of reptile meat entering the EU must be inspected at an EU-approved Border control Post (BCP) where Member States' official veterinarians ensure they fulfil all the requirements provided for in the EU legislation.
2The person responsible for the load being imported (the importer or a customs agent acting on their behalf) must give the BCP at the intended point of entry advance notification of the arrival of the consignment.
3.There is a required minimum pre-notification notice period of at least 24 hours’ notice in advance of the consignment’s arrival.
4. Failure to submit correct documentation within this timeline may result in significant delays in the consignment being processed through the Border Control Post.
5. Pre-notification is given by the submission of Part 1 of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED-P), as is laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 2019/1715, through the online TRACES system.
6.Copies of other supporting documentation associated with the consignment should be submitted at this time as well - such as the Health Certificate, Invoice, Packing list etc.
Border Control
1. Providing all the documentation has been submitted correctly and within the correct timeframes, a large proportion of the documentary check can be commenced in advance of the consignment’s arrival. This includes examination of the veterinary certificate and other documents accompanying a consignment.
a. Please note the original hard copy of the health certificate must travel with the consignment, this will be checked and held at the BCP at the point of entry into the EU.
2.Provided all is in order with the documentary check, the consignment will then be subject to an identity check at the BCP to ensure it identifies with the consignment that was declared in the documentation.
3. A proportion of consignments will be selected for a full physical inspection with/without sampling as appropriate.
4. Upon satisfactory completion of the required checks, the decision is entered in Part 2 of the CHED which must accompany the consignment to the first place of destination referred to in the CHED.
5. If the consignment does not meet the import requirements, the consignment may be rejected and either re-exported or destroyed.