Import Restrictions
- Where importation of an animal represents a high risk of introducing disease, the import regulations are suitably stringent.
- Many of the restrictions relating to the import of live animals, particularly livestock, into Guernsey are concerned with protecting Guernsey's unique populations of cattle and goats from disease threats.
- Animals can also carry diseases which infect humans, known as zoonotic diseases.
- Where the importation of an animal from certain countries carries an increased risk of importing a zoonotic disease, the import regulations will be stringent.
- Examples of zoonotic diseases are rabies and tuberculosis (Bovine TB).
- Import restrictions also apply to animals or breeds of animal which are considered to be dangerous.
- Annex 1 of the General Import Licence contains a list of dog breeds which are considered dangerous. An import application must be submitted to be able to import one of these breeds.
- An import licence may be refused when an application is submitted for the importation of a dangerous species/breed.
- In May 2021, the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure approved a policy to manage the threat of emerging invasive non-native species (INNS).
- A list of species was compiled which are not permitted to be imported into Guernsey and will not be issued with an import licence.
- Further information can be found here.
Import Notifications
- A pre-notification must be submitted for animals imported into the Bailiwick of Guernsey at least 24 hours prior to arrival. See "Animal Import Notification" for more information.
Import Licences
- All animals imported into Guernsey require an import licence. The importation of animals which represent a low risk are covered under the General Import Licence.
- If you wish to import animals or animal products that are not covered by the General Import Licence, you will need to submit a completed import application form at least 10 working days before your intended day of import to svo@gov.gg.
- Please note the General Import Licence is subject to change without notice dependent upon perceived animal health risks.
- Animals listed as endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) such as some parrots, tortoises and most birds of prey, require CITES import documentation as well as an import licence. Please use the CITES tile below for further information.
Use the tiles below to navigate to information for the type of animal import your want to make.
If your intended import is not contained within the above, you may find it below.
Biological Control Agents
- If you wish to import biological control agents you will need to submit a completed import application form at least 10 working days before your intended day of import to svo@gov.gg.
- Follow this link for a full list of accepted BCAs.
Camelids (e.g. Llamas, Alpacas)
- Camelids cannot be imported into Guernsey. Camelids must come from tuberculosis free herds and currently there is no reliable testing regimen.
Commercial Animal Movements
- Details on commercial animal movements can be found here.
Fish
- If you wish to import fish you will need to submit a completed import application form at least 10 working days before your intended day of import to svo@gov.gg.
- An animal health certificate will be required for the placing on the market of aquaculture animals for farming, relaying, put and take fisheries, open ornamental facilities and restocking. A specimen of this document can be found here.
Honey Bees
- Honey bees cannot be imported into Guernsey without a licence and they cannot be imported in a skep or other fixed comb hive.
- In order to import bees into Guernsey, you will need to submit a completed import application form at least 10 working days before your intended day of import to svo@gov.gg.
- Used bee hives cannot be imported.
Insects and Worms
- Fish bait (maggots, ragworm or lugworm) can be imported into Guernsey under the General Import Licence from Alderney, Sark, Jersey, the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man.
- The following animals can be imported into Guernsey under the General Import Licence from Alderney, Sark, Jersey, the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man:
- Ants, Stick Insects, Mealworms, Butterworm, Phoenix Worm, Waxworm, Earthworm, Silkworm, Cricket, Grasshopper, Cockroach, Fruit Fly, House Fly, Bean Weevil, Fruit Beetle and Edible Snail.
Pigeons
- Pigeons can be imported into Guernsey without a specific import licence from Alderney, Sark, Jersey, the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man, a Member State of the European Community and Northern Ireland provided that:
- each is accompanied by a certificate showing that it has been vaccinated against paramyxovirus; and
- the country or territory from which it is dispatched or flown is not subject to restrictions in relation to Newcastle Disease or Avian Influenza.
