It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that the animal meets the importing country requirements.

Information about the process required to import pet birds into member countries of the European Union (EU) from Australia can be found by referring to the EU website.

There are national rules that may apply to the movement of animals into individual EU member countries and you should check these.

The import and transit of animals into the EU is strictly regulated under EU legislation and enforced by the Department through Departmental officers in the regional office from where the animals are to be exported.

It is the responsibility of the exporter to use the appropriate EU health certificate and ensure that this and any accompanying declarations are in English and the appropriate language of the EU member state of the border inspection post (BIP) / border control post (BCP) where the animals will enter the EU.

Refer to these and the Department’s websites for current information about exporting animals (including any suspensions).

Note

Where an importing country issues an import permit, the exporter must ensure the animal meets any requirements in the permit.

Consignments of five or fewer pet birds are eligible for export from Australia to the EU. Pet birds are all species of birds (except poultry) which are accompanied by their owners, or by another person directly responsible for them on behalf of the owner during their movement and are not intended to be sold or transferred to another owner.

The following birds are NOT eligible for export from Australia to the EU:

• - Consignments of more than 5 pet birds.
  
• - Poultry. Poultry is defined as fowl, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, quails, pigeons, pheasants, partridges and ratites (ratitae). Hatching eggs and day old chicks are included in this.
• - Wild caught birds.
• - Any other captive birds that do not meet the definition of pet bird provided above.

It is the responsibility of the exporter to use the appropriate EU health certificate and ensure that this and any accompanying declarations are in English and the appropriate language of the EU member country of the border inspection post (BIP) where the animals will enter the EU.

There is a certificate that may be used for the movement of pet birds to the EU from 1 January 2022 and must be used for all consignments of pet birds exported on or after 15 March 2022.

Certificate for movement of pet birds to the EU – effective January 2022:

• Model health certificate – English – Pet Birds – January 2022 (PDF 3025 KB)

A guidance document (PDF 135 KB | DOCX 40 KB) is available to assist with completion of the Model Health Certificate.

Australian Departmental officers will only endorse health certification for animals destined to the EU if it is written in English and, where required, an official language of the EU member country of the BIP where the animals will enter the EU.

Australian Departmental officers will not endorse health certification for animals destined to the EU if only presented in a language other than English.

Transport requirements

The importing country may have specific transport requirements and you should check this.

Pre and post arrival quarantine requirements

The importing country may have specific pre and post arrival quarantine requirements and you should check this.

Permission to move birds out of Australia

You may need permission under wildlife trade laws to move birds out of Australia. Refer to the Department’s International wildlife trade requirements. There is specific guidance for non-commercial wildlife trade for public exhibition, scientific research, conservation breeding and personal use.

Email

wps@awe.gov.au

Not all live animals are permitted to be imported into Australia. You should make yourself familiar with the Department's requirements for importing live animals. This is important as your animal may have been exposed to diseases that do not occur in Australia.

Based on importing country requirements sourced from European Commission website.

Entry last reviewed 2 March 2022.