Equine Animals

Since 1 January 2021, each equine animal exported to the UK (excl. NI) must be pre-notified to the new UK IT system - Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System IPAFFS and the relevant Export Health Certificate, issued by the Department to be provided for the consignment.

The process for exporting live equine animals is outlined below:

1. The IE exporter must register with Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) and must register for the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES).

2. The IE exporter should go to our ‘Register to Import and Export’ section for registration details. Registration may be completed by following the steps outlined on our website Register to Import or Export .

3. The equine exporter should contact the local DAFM Regional Veterinary Offices (RVOs) a minimum of 5 days in advance of departure to make arrangements for completing the Export Health Certificate (EHC).

4. The exporter must secure the services of a the UK (excl. NI) based importer who will need to register with IPAFFS and submit advance notification of import to IPAFFS a minimum of 24 hours.

5. Following pre-notification on IPAFFS by the UK importer, a Unique Notification Number (UNN) is generated. The the UK (excl. NI) importer is required to send the UNN number to the IE exporter for inclusion in the EHC from Ireland.

6. The equine exporter must complete consignment details in Part I of the EHC online on TRACES. The exporter will also need to ensure that the UNN is included in Part I Section I.6 of the EHC. The exporter should submit notification to the RVO when completed, including the TRACES-generated certificate reference number.

7. The EHC will be generated, printed, signed and stamped by the Regional Veterinary Office’s Official Veterinarian (OV). The exporter should make arrangements to collect the EHC from the local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO).

8. The IE exporter should email a scanned copy of the EHC to the the UK (excl. NI) importer.

9. The the UK (excl. NI) importer will need to upload the EHC to IPAFFS.

10. the UK (excl. NI) import control documentary checks will occur remotely, with identity and physical checks at the point of destination on a risk-determined basis.

11. A Department fee will apply for equine export certification to the UK (excl. NI) at a rate of €12.50 per certificate, as per current fees charged for certification to the EU.

For queries in relation to equine health certification requirements, please see Export of Horses .

For Revenue guidance on the temporary import and export of horses, please click here