It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that the animal meets the European Union (EU) import requirements.

Information about the process required to import animals into the European Union (EU) can be found on the EU website.

The importation of dogs, cats and ferrets into the EU is strictly regulated under EU legislation and enforced by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the 'Department') through Departmental officers in the regional office from where the animals are to be exported.

The EU allows the importation of dogs, cats and ferrets under two separate classifications being non-commercial movements and imports (also known as commercial movements).

As set out in detail below the list of template certificates, both classifications have separate:

• import health conditions
• health certification
• declarations
• transit/transhipment permissions enroute to the EU.

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 control post (BCP) where the animal/s will enter the EU.

Non-commercial movements to the EU

All dogs, cats and ferrets exported to the EU as a non-commercial movement can only travel under the health certificates found below in a bilingual format, language by language.

The following transitional health certificates may be used for non-commercial consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets exported to the EU where the health certificate will be issued by the Department prior to 1 October 2026.

Transitional certificates for non-commercial movements to the EU - may be used prior to 1 October 2026

• Non-Com – English – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Bulgarian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Croatian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Czech-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Danish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Dutch-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Estonian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Finnish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – French-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – German-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Greek-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Hungarian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Italian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Latvian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Lithuanian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Maltese-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Polish-EN – Dog Cat - Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Portuguese-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Romanian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Slovak-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Slovenian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Spanish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019
• Non-Com – Swedish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Sept 2019

Where the health certificate will be issued on or after 1 October 2026, a new non-commercial health certificate must be used for the entry of dogs, cats and ferrets into the EU, as updated under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705. The new health certificate may be used prior to 1 October 2026.

Certificates and declarations for non-commercial movements to the EU - must be used on or after 1 October 2026 and may be used prior.

• Non-Com – English – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Bulgarian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Croatian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Czech-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Danish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Dutch-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Estonian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Finnish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – French-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – German-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Greek-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Hungarian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Irish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret  – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Italian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Latvian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Lithuanian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Maltese-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Polish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret - Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Portuguese-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Romanian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Slovak-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Slovenian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Spanish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Non-Com – Swedish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026

Commercial movements to the EU

All dogs, cats and ferrets exported to the EU as a commercial movement can only travel under the health certificates found below in a bilingual format, language by language.

The following transitional health certificates may be used for commercial consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets exported to the EU where the health certificate will be issued by the Department prior to 17 October 2026.

Transitional certificates for commercial movements to the EU - may be used until 17 October 2026.

Given the complexity of the commercial certificates, a guidance document (PDF 210 KB) for the transitional health certificate is available.

• Com – English – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Bulgarian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Croatian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Czech-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Danish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Dutch-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Estonian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Finnish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – French-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – German-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Greek-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Hungarian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Irish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Italian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Latvian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Lithuanian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Maltese-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Polish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Portuguese-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Romanian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Slovakian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Slovenian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Spanish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
• Com – Swedish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – November 2025
  • Further guidance for exporters of commercial consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets to Sweden using the transitional health certificate (PDF 189 KB)

Where the health certificate will be issued on or after 17 October 2026, a new commercial health certificate must be used for the entry of dogs, cats and ferrets into the EU, as updated under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/848. The new health certificate may be used prior to 17 October 2026.

Certificates for commercial movements to the EU - must be used on or after 17 October 2026 and may be used prior.

Given the complexity of the commercial certificates, a guidance document (PDF 210 KB) for the new health certificate is available.

• Com – English – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Bulgarian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Croatian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Czech-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Danish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Dutch-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Estonian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Finnish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – French-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – German-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Greek-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Hungarian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Irish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Italian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Latvian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Lithuanian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Maltese-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Polish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Portuguese-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Romanian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Slovakian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Slovenian-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Spanish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
• Com – Swedish-EN – Dog Cat Ferret – Oct 2026
  • Further guidance for exporters of commercial consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets to Sweden (PDF 275 KB)

Additional information

Australian Departmental officers will only endorse health certification for dogs, cats and ferrets destined to the EU if it is written in English and, where required, an official language of the EU Member State of the BCP where the animals will enter the EU.

Australian Departmental officers will not endorse health certification for dogs, cats and ferrets destined to the EU if only presented in a language other than English.
 

To complete point I.7 of the appropriate EU health certificates you will need to name the exporting country and its ISO code.

The following countries or territories are not members of the EU but may use EU import health conditions and EU health certificates.
 

Definition

A non-commercial movement is an export to the EU in which the animal is neither intended for sale nor the transfer of ownership of the animal (dog, cat or ferret) AND the animal must travel with its owner and under its owner’s direct responsibility*. If the owner is unable to travel at the same time as the pet animal, an authorised person** may transport it instead. If an authorised person is accompanying the pet, the owner must travel within five days of the pet animal and accompanying person. The owner must also give written permission for another person to accompany the pet (the authorised person) with a written declaration. 

Note

Please identify to the Department if the non-commercial consignment will be accompanied by the owner or an authorised person, and provide the details of the accompanying person. The information can be provided in Section E of the Notice of Intention (NOI) to Export Live Animals (other than Livestock) form (under “Description of travel arrangements”),

The maximum number of animals that may be exported at one time by the owner (or authorised person**) as a non-commercial movement is five unless the export is for competition, an exhibition or a sporting event and the animals are registered for the event and the animals are more than six months old.

*An animal is considered to be under the owner’s direct responsibility when the owner is accompanying the pet animal on the same flight to the EU.
**An authorised person has written authorisation from the owner to carry out the export on behalf of the owner.

Any animal (dog, cat or ferret) which does not comply with the above definition is considered to be an import (also known as a commercial movement).

Exporters of such animals must read information for imports (also known as commercial movements).

Health certification and import health conditions

Non-commercial movements of animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) to the EU from Australia must be undertaken under the appropriate model animal health certificate located in Health requirements.

The import health conditions for dogs destined for Finland, Ireland, Malta and Northern Ireland also require the animals to be treated against Echinococcus multiocularis as outlined in the health certificate (Regulation (EU) 2026/705). The treatment must be administered by a veterinarian no more than 120 hours and no less than 24 hours before the time of the schedule entry into the EU.

The import health conditions for cats destined for all EU Member States require that during the 60 days prior to export the cat has not been resident on properties where Hendra disease has been confirmed (2006/146/EC). This clause does not appear in the EU health certificate and the Department will provide the additional certification upon the exporter providing a declaration confirming the cat's last 60 days of residency prior to export. If an exporter is concerned that their cat(s) may not be eligible for export due to this requirement then they should contact the Department.

The non-commercial certificate must be accompanied by appropriate original supporting documentation, or a certified copy of that documentation, including rabies vaccination details and the result of any tests (where necessary). This documentation must bear the identification details of the animal(s) concerned.

Identification of the dog, cat or ferret

The animal(s) shall be identified by an electronic identification system (electronic microchip or transponder) or by a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011, of which the alpha-numeric code corresponds to the one documented in the health certificate and any testing, treatment or other declarations associated with the export.

Note

Tattoos may not be accepted by certain EU member states such as Ireland or Malta – these countries may only admit animals with an electronic microchip.

If an exporter seeks to utilise an identification method other than an electronic microchip they should seek written confirmation from the authority of the importing EU member state that the proposed method is acceptable prior to preparing the animal for export.

Technical requirements for electronic microchips or transponders are set out in Annex II of EU 576/2013.

Transponders must:

1. comply with ISO Standard 11784 and apply HDX or FDX-B technology; and
2. be capable of being read by a reading device compatible with ISO standard 11785.

Rabies vaccination

The import health conditions require the animal(s) to be vaccinated against rabies with an 'anti-rabies vaccination' in accordance with Annex III of EU 576/2013.

The anti-rabies vaccination must meet the following conditions:

1. be administered to the animal(s) by an authorised veterinarian after the animal(s) has been identified by a microchip/tattoo;
2. the animal(s) must be at least 12 weeks of age at the date on which the vaccine was administered;

Note

Rabies vaccines available in Australia may not be registered for use in animals less than 3 months of age. Registered veterinarians administering vaccines should do so in accordance with the product's registration. See Notes for registered veterinarians below.

3. the period of vaccine validity does not start until 21 days from date of vaccine administration and continues until the end of the period of protective immunity prescribed by the vaccine manufacturer;
4. any subsequent revaccination is considered to be a primary vaccination unless it is carried out within the period of validity referenced above;
5. all details of the vaccination must be included where required on the non-commercial certificate.

Rabies antibody titration test

Depending on the proposed export route after departure from Australia, animals may be required to undergo a rabies antibody titration test as outlined in the non-commercial certificate.

If a rabies antibody titration test is required, it must meet the requirements of Annex IV of EU 576/2013:

1. be undertaken on a sample collected at least 30 days after the date of 'anti-rabies vaccination' and documented by an authorised veterinarian where required on the non-commercial certificate;
2. be undertaken not less than 90 days before the date of issue of the health certificate; 
3. must measure a level of neutralising anti-body equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml using the method prescribed in Annex IV of EU 576/2013;
4. does not have to be renewed if the result is equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml as long as the animal is revaccinated within the period of rabies vaccine validity referenced above;
5. be performed in a laboratory designated in accordance with Article 37(4) and (5) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625..

Note

The Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (formerly the Australian Animal Health Laboratory) is the only laboratory in Australia that currently meets the requirements in Article 37(4) and (5) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625.

Declarations

Any declaration provided alongside the required health certification must be written in English and where appropriate, an official language of the EU Member State of the BCP where the animals will enter the EU.

Required declarations

The EU non-commercial certification must be accompanied by a declaration from the owner of the animals (or authorised person**) included in Part 2 of Annex V of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705.

This declaration confirms that the animal is not being exported for sale or to change owners and will be accompanied by the owner (or authorised person**).

The required declaration is appended to the non-commercial health certificate in the template provided by the Department.

Additional declarations

Depending on the circumstances of the export and proposed route from Australia to the EU two further declarations may be required to be completed by the exporter:

Authorised person declaration

When an authorised person is travelling with the pet, the EU non-commercial health certificate must be accompanied by a declaration from the owner included in Part 1 of Annex V of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705.

This declaration confirms that the authorised person may carry out the non-commercial movement of the pet animal on the owner’s behalf.

The declaration is appended to the non-commercial health certificate in the template provided by the Department.

Transit permissions enroute to the EU and the transit declaration

Non-commercial consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets destined to the EU from Australia may travel:

1. direct with no periods of transit or transhipment at another airport enroute if vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the import health conditions; or
2. with transit or transhipment via an airport in a country listed in Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 (Annex II list is below; note it does not include Thailand or Indonesia) if vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the import health conditions; or
3. with transit or transhipment via an airport in a country not listed in the Annexes to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 (Annex I, II and III below) if vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the import health conditions and the owner (or authorised person**) provides a signed declaration*** that during the period of transit/transhipment the animals had no contact with animal species susceptible to rabies and the animal remained secured within the aircraft or within the perimeter of an international airport; or
4. with transit or transhipment via an airport in a country not listed in Annex I or Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 (Annex I and II below) if vaccinated against rabies and has undergone a rabies antibody titration test in accordance with the import health conditions.

***Exporters utilising the transit declaration option must on arrival in the EU provide the BIP of the EU Member State where the animals will enter the EU with a completed transit declaration confirming that during the period of transit/transhipment the animals had no contact with animal species susceptible to rabies and the animal remained secured within the aircraft or within the perimeter of an international airport. This declaration is appended to the non-commercial health certificate in the template provided by the Department.

Definition

An import (also known as a commercial movement) is an export to the EU which does not comply with the definition of a non-commercial movement (see above).

Health certification and import health conditions

Information about the process required to import animals into the EU as a commercial movement can be found on the EU website. 

Commercial movements of dogs, cats and ferrets must be undertaken under the Model animal health certificate for entry into the Union of dogs, cats and ferrets (Model ‘Canis-Felis-Ferrets’) also known as the commercial certificate located in Health requirements. 

The commercial certificate includes the import health conditions which the exporter must comply with for the animal (dog, cat or ferret) to enter the EU as a commercial consignment.

The import health conditions for dogs destined for Finland, Ireland, Malta and Northern Ireland also require the animals to be treated against Echinococcus multiocularis as outlined in the health certificate and in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 .

• The Echinococcus multiocularis treatment must be administered by a veterinarian not more than 120 hours and no less than 24 hours prior to the time of the scheduled entry of the dogs into the EU.

The import health conditions for cats destined to all EU Member States require that during the 60 days prior to export the cat has not been resident on properties where Hendra disease has been confirmed (2006/146/EC). This clause does not appear in the EU health certificate and the Department will provide the additional certification upon the exporter providing a declaration confirming the cat's last 60 days of residency prior to export. If an exporter is concerned that their cat(s) may not be eligible for export due to this requirement then they should contact the Department.

The commercial certificate must be accompanied by appropriate original supporting documentation, or a certified copy of that documentation, including rabies vaccination details and the result of any tests (where necessary). This documentation must bear the identification details of the animal(s) concerned. 

Approval (registration) of the premises where the animals are held prior to export:

For commercial export of dogs, cats and ferrets to the EU, animals must originate from an approved establishment of origin, an approved assembly centre or an approved animal shelter. The EU requirements for each premises are listed below. 

To obtain an approval (registration) number, please follow the steps below under ‘Process for premises approval’ and complete the ‘Application for approval of an establishment of origin, assembly centre or animal shelter for pre-export quarantine or isolation of dogs, cats and ferrets for export as a commercial consignment destined to the European Union’

Approval (registration) of an establishment of origin

Commercial consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets destined to the EU require an establishment of origin to meet the requirements listed in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 and be approved under the Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021.

To be approved, the establishment of origin must fulfill the below requirements: 

• The premises has a system in place to maintain and to keep, for a minimum period of 3 years prior to export, up-to-date records containing the following information: 
  1. the species, categories (i.e. companion or commercial), number and where relevant, identification of animals on the establishment  
  2. movements of animals into and out of the establishment (includes movement into and out of a pet hotel/pet transit lounge or permanent relocation of an animal into and out of a private household) 
  3. any animal mortalities in the establishment
• The premises must receive an animal health visit from a veterinarian at least yearly, and preferably within 1 month of export, for the purpose of the detection of, and information on, signs indicative of the occurrence of diseases, including diseases referred to in Annex I of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692

Diseases referenced in Annex I of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 refers to listed diseases in Article 5 and Annex II of EU Regulation 2016/429, which includes the following potential diseases of dogs, cats and/or ferrets:

• Rabies
• Echinococcus multiocularis
• Brucella abortus/melitensis/suis
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (M. bovis, M. caprae, M. tuberculosis)

Note

The establishment of origin is considered the premises where the animal is kept for a minimum of 12 hours prior to lodgement/export.

Approval (registration) of an assembly centre

Commercial consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets destined to the EU require an assembly centre to meet the requirements listed in Article 10 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035, Article 73(2), point (a)(iv), of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 and be approved under the Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021.

To be approved, the assembly centre must fulfill the below requirements:

• The animals should be at the assembly centre for no longer than 6 days;
• the dogs, cats and ferrets come from registered establishments keeping those animals;
• the premises has appropriate isolation facilities for the species to be assembled;
• appropriate sanitary breaks are taken after cleaning and disinfecting and prior to the arrival of any new consignments of dogs, cats or ferrets to the premises;
• the premises has a system, for the collection and/or disposal of waste water generated by the animals;
• the premises has adequate housing of a suitable standard for the animals and this is constructed so that contact with animals from the outside is prevented and there is no direct communication with the isolation accommodation, and inspections and any necessary treatments of the animals are able to be easily carried out at the premises;
• the areas where the animals are kept and any passageways, floors, walls and all other material or equipment that comes into contact with them can be readily cleaned and disinfected;
• the premises has appropriate storage areas for bedding material, litter, manure and petfood;
• the premises has appropriate equipment available for the cleaning and disinfection of facilities, implements and means of transport.
• Up to date records are kept for a period of at least 3 years including:
  1. the origin of the animals held; 
  2. the dates animals arrive and are dispatched to and from the assembly centre; 
  3. the identification code (i.e. microchip number) of the animals held; 
  4. the registration number of the establishment of origin of the animals; 
  5. the registration number of the transporters and the means of transport delivering or collecting the consignment of dogs, cats and ferrets to and from that centre;

Approval (registration) of an animal shelter

Commercial consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets destined to the EU require an animal shelter to meet the requirements listed in Article 11 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 and be approved under the Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021.

To be approved, the animal shelter must fulfill the below requirements:

• the premises has appropriate isolation facilities for the species to be assembled;
• the areas where the cats, dogs and ferrets are kept and any passageways, and material and equipment that comes into contact with them has been cleaned and disinfected after the removal of each batch of those animals, and where necessary before the introduction of any new batch of animals;
• appropriate sanitary breaks are taken after cleaning and disinfecting and prior to the arrival of any new consignments of dogs, cats or ferrets to the premises;
• the premises has a system, for the collection and/or disposal of waste water generated by the animals;
• the premises has adequate housing of a suitable standard for the animals and this is constructed so that contact with animals from the outside is prevented and there is no direct communication with the isolation accommodation, and inspections and any necessary treatments of the animals are able to be easily carried out at the premises;
• the areas where the animals are kept and any passageways, floors, walls and all other material or equipment that comes into contact with them can be readily cleaned and disinfected;
• the premises has appropriate storage areas for bedding material, litter, manure and petfood;
• the premises has appropriate equipment available for the cleaning and disinfection of facilities, implements and means of transport.

Process for premises approval (registration)

The Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021 allows the Department to approve premises where animals are held prior to export, on a consignment-by-consignment basis, for pre-export quarantine or isolation if required by the importing country. This is the mechanism for premises approval for the EU.

1. The Department will accept the Notice of Intention (NOI) to export a dog, cat or ferret to the EU, under a commercial certificate, as being an application for premises approval for the individual consignment.
   
   At the time of NOI submission, the prospective exporter must advise the Department that the consignment is commercial to allow adequate time for assessment of the premises for approval prior to export.
   
   The NOI must have details entered in Section G: pre-export isolation and be accompanied by a completed ‘Application for approval of an establishment of origin, assembly centre or animal shelter for pre-export isolation of dogs, cats and ferrets for export as a commercial consignment destined to the European Union (DOCX 72 KB)’. The contents of this document reflect the EU’s premises requirements.
    
2. Upon receipt of the completed application, the Department will assess the application and, if appropriate, provide confirmation of premises approval for the consignment, at the same time as providing advice about the approval of the NOI.
   
   Upon any approval, the premises will be assigned a unique ‘approval number’ which will be identical to the health certificate number for the consignment.
    
3. At the time of certification for export the Departmental Veterinary Officer will enter the 'approval number' into box I.11. The number entered will be consistent with the health certificate number that is entered at box I.2 and II.a on each page of the same certificate.

Note

There is no requirement for a Departmental officer to inspect the proposed premises prior to approval, but a Departmental officer may decide to do so to verify compliance with the requirements.
The Department or EU authorities may request evidence (such as documents and records) that the EU requirements have been met.
Each time a premises is approved it will be assigned a different unique ‘approval number’ for that specific consignment.
The approval of a premises lapses as soon as the consignment of animals to which it relates is exported.
Approval of a premises for one consignment does not indicate that the same premises will be approved for future consignments.

Identification of the dog, cat or ferret

The animal(s) shall be identified by an electronic identification system (electronic microchip or transponder) or by a clearly readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011, of which the alpha-numeric code corresponds to the one documented in the health certificate and any testing, treatment or other declarations associated with the export.

Note

Tattoos may not be accepted by certain EU Member States such as Ireland or Malta – these countries may only admit animals with an electronic microchip.

If an exporter seeks to utilise an identification method other than an electronic microchip, they should seek written confirmation from the authority of the importing EU Member State that the proposed method is acceptable prior to preparing the animal for export.

Technical requirements for electronic microchips of transponders are set out in Annex II of EU 576/2013.

'Transponders must:

1. comply with ISO Standard 11784 and apply HDX or FDX-B technology; and
2. be capable of being read by a reading device compatible with ISO standard 11785.'

Rabies vaccination

The import health conditions require the animal(s) to be vaccinated against rabies with an 'anti-rabies vaccination' in accordance with Annex III of EU 576/2013.

The anti-rabies vaccination must meet the following conditions:

1. be administered to the animal(s) by an authorised veterinarian after the animal(s) has been identified by microchip/tattoo;
2. the animal(s) must be at least 12 weeks of age at the date on which the vaccine was administered;

3. the period of vaccine validity does not start until 21 days from date of vaccine administration and continues until the end of the period of protective immunity prescribed by the vaccine manufacturer;
4. any subsequent revaccination is considered to be a primary vaccination unless it is carried out within the period of validity referenced above;
5. all details of the vaccination must be included where required on the imports certificate.

Rabies antibody titration test

Depending on the proposed export route after departure from Australia, animals may be required to undergo a rabies antibody titration test as outlined in the non-commercial certificate.

If a rabies antibody titration test is required, it must meet the following requirements:

1. be undertaken on a sample collected by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after the date of 'anti-rabies vaccination' and documented by an authorised veterinarian where required on the imports certificate and; 
2. be undertaken not less than 90 days before the date of issue of the health certificate
3. must measure a level of neutralising anti-body equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml 
4. does not have to be renewed if the result is equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml as long as the animal is revaccinated within the period of rabies vaccine validity referenced above
5. be performed in a laboratory authorised by the EU to do so.

Note

The Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (formerly the Australian Animal Health Laboratory) is authorised by the EU to perform rabies antibody titration tests.

Declarations

The health certificate for commercial movements of dogs, cats and ferrets to the EU has no additional associated declarations.

Transit permissions enroute to the EU

1. direct to be isolated in a confined establishment or approved quarantine establishment;
2. with transit through a territory or third country listed in Part 1 of Annex VIII of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 and for which no specific conditions referred to in column 5 of that table are required, if vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the import health conditions (Part 1 Annex VIII is below);
3. with transit through a territory or third country listed in Part 1 of Annex VIII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 and for which specific conditions referred to in column 5 of that table are required, if vaccinated against rabies and the animal has undergone a rabies antibody titration test in accordance with the import health conditions. 

Notes for registered veterinarians

Registered veterinarians preparing dogs, cats and ferrets for export to the EU must ensure that animals are identified in accordance with EU requirements prior to the administration of the anti-rabies vaccination.

Registered veterinarians preparing dogs, cats and ferrets for export to the EU should be aware that while the EU legislation may require animals to be a minimum of 12 weeks old at the time of anti-rabies vaccination, anti-rabies vaccinations registered for use in Australia generally require animals to be a minimum of 3 months old (which is slightly older than 12 weeks). Registered veterinarians should ensure they understand their professional responsibilities in accordance with their veterinary registration with respect to administration of any veterinary drug.

Registered veterinarians must ensure that all other parts of the health certificate are completed (including strikethroughs where applicable) prior to that endorsement.

Before completing the commercial certificate, ensure that you have reviewed the relevant guidance document.

Handwritten parts of the certificate and ink stamps must be in an ink colour other than that in which the health certificate is printed.

Note

The ‘certificate reference’ box on each page should remain blank as the Department Veterinary Officer will enter the certificate reference number at the time a Department health certificate and export permit is issued.

The date of microchip implantation and/or reading must be the same as or before the date of Rabies vaccination.

Registered veterinarians preparing dogs, cats and ferrets for export to the EU are required to complete the box on the last page of the health certificate labelled ‘Official veterinarian’.

If compliant, the Department Veterinary Officer will also endorse all pages of the health certificate.

Based on importing requirements sourced from European Commission website.

Entry last reviewed 05 August 2026.