The Legal Requirements For Importing Animals
Traveling in the company of an animal implies respecting the legislative criteria that have been imposed for this purpose. There are community and national legislation to which attention should be paid. Here are the legal requirements for importing animals.
Community and national regulations
Until a few years ago, every country in the European Union had to comply with certain laws to regulate the entry of animals. So, to plan a trip with your 4-legged friend, it was necessary to check the national legislation of each country and adapt to it. A very annoying process.
Since 2013, the European Parliament has unified the requirements for importing animals. They have been added to the existing rules for the transport of pets.
This legislation is present in European countries, and is gradually coming into force in all the others.
What to consider when importing animals?
First of all, this Community legislation is valid for dogs, cats and other pets. For the rest of the species, the national standard applies.
Amount of pets allowed
The new legislation allows a maximum number of 5 animals to enter Italy. These can be: dogs, cats, ferrets, birds and others.
The exceptions apply if you enter a country to participate in competitions, exhibitions or sporting events. In this regard, evidence must be submitted.
What to present to import animals
- European pet passport with the signature and stamp of a veterinarian and with the list of vaccinations in order.
- Identification of the animal by means of a legible tattoo or a microchip. This subcutaneous apparatus serves to identify the masters. In the case of tattoos made before 2011, they must be perfectly legible.
- Rabies vaccine in place. If the animal has been given the first dose, it cannot move until 21 days after vaccination. He must also have been examined by a veterinarian at least one month before departure.
According to the legislation, to import your animal from other Member States to Italy, it is not mandatory to have carried out serological tests, parasitic treatments and other vaccines. However, if you are traveling from Italy to another European country, we advise you to consult the embassies.
To avoid surprises, it is important to consider that dogs, cats and ferrets that are less than 3 months old cannot enter for safety reasons. The restriction is due to the fact that until they reach this age, they cannot be vaccinated against rabies.
Birds, reptiles and other species
In case you want to import this type of animals, you must have a veterinary certificate written in Italian and that has been issued within the last ten days.
Other European countries
To enter France and Great Britain with animals, the following requirements must be considered:
France
In addition to the passport, the microchip and the necessary vaccinations, a titration test for post-vaccination neutralizing antibodies against the rabies virus must be attached. The blood sample must have been taken 3 months before departure in a laboratory authorized by the European Union.
UK
In addition to documents and vaccines, a dog must have been given a pesticide between 1 and 5 days before travel.
The country can be reached by plane, by ship or by train following the authorized routes with companies that perform this type of service.
Dangerous dogs
In both France and the UK, breeds that are considered dangerous are not allowed to enter. Here are some of them:
- Tosa Inu
- Dogo Argentino
- Pitbull Terrier
- Fila brasileiro
- Boerboel
In conclusion, we can say that the current Community legislation for the importation of animals facilitates a certain homogeneity.
Despite this, there are more restrictions in some countries. To travel with animals, however, we recommend that you consult the embassies of the country in question and do it a little in advance.
