11 replies to this topic

[SuperFrank]

I am curious as to the laws regarding the import of live ant queens and colonies into the United Kingdom and continental Europe from abroad. We have secured permission from the relevant U.S. departments for export out of the country but are unfamiliar with European import laws.

[Manitobant]

Europeans can import any ant species legally.

[Canadian anter]

For import into the EU, a health certificate is required with each specimen. Once in the EU, the package will go to a border station, where the paper work will be checked. You will need a pet transporter or other form of approved shipping process. In addition, a CVED is required (which will be attached at a border inspection in the EU should the paperwork be alright). Currently, shipping to the UK is very iffy but it does appear there is no regulation. However, I would wait until Brexit is cleared up, as they are in a transitional period. Specifics can be found on the EU website. Otherwise, all shipment to the EU is illegal

[SuperFrank]

For import into the EU, a health certificate is required with each specimen. Once in the EU, the package will go to a border station, where the paper work will be checked. You will need a pet transporter or other form of approved shipping process. In addition, a CVED is required (which will be attached at a border inspection in the EU should the paperwork be alright). Currently, shipping to the UK is very iffy but it does appear there is no regulation. However, I would wait until Brexit is cleared up, as they are in a transitional period. Specifics can be found on the EU website. Otherwise, all shipment to the EU is illegal

Can you link where you got this info? Securing permission to export specimens out of the U.S. was significantly easier than we would have thought and we hope import into Europe won't be terribly difficult either

[Canadian anter]

https://ec.europa.eu...th requirements.

A lot of the info I got was from speaking to someone in Europe who is an importer for some ant dealers. However, most of the info can be found above

[Barristan]

Every animal has to be inspected by a veterinary. And as importer you have to pay for this inspection: https://www.zoll.de/...eases_node.html

 

Additionally it will also be checked by customs if you try to import any species which are on cites list. But no ant species is on that list so this shouldn't be any problem

 

As with all goods you also have to pay 19% VAT.

 

But other than that it is quite easy to import animals and you also don't need any permission.

[SuperFrank]

Every animal has to be inspected by a veterinary. And as importer you have to pay for this inspection: https://www.zoll.de/...eases_node.html

Additionally it will also be checked by customs if you try to import any species which are on cites list. But no ant species is on that list so this shouldn't be any problem

As with all goods you also have to pay 19% VAT.

But other than that it is quite easy to import animals and you also don't need any permission.

Just out of curiosity, do you know if insects are included in the E.U's definition of animals? I know that may sound odd or ignorant but I was surprised to learn that, at least in the U.S., insects often aren't considered to be animals and have their own regulations.

[TechAnt]

Every animal has to be inspected by a veterinary. And as importer you have to pay for this inspection: https://www.zoll.de/...eases_node.html
Additionally it will also be checked by customs if you try to import any species which are on cites list. But no ant species is on that list so this shouldn't be any problem
As with all goods you also have to pay 19% VAT.
But other than that it is quite easy to import animals and you also don't need any permission.

Just out of curiosity, do you know if insects are included in the E.U's definition of animals? I know that may sound odd or ignorant but I was surprised to learn that, at least in the U.S., insects often aren't considered to be animals and have their own regulations.

Of course they have their own regulations. Insects are some of the top destroyers of crops and the U.S. possesses a lot of crops that are highly valuable to it.

[Barristan]

 

Every animal has to be inspected by a veterinary. And as importer you have to pay for this inspection: https://www.zoll.de/...eases_node.html

Additionally it will also be checked by customs if you try to import any species which are on cites list. But no ant species is on that list so this shouldn't be any problem

As with all goods you also have to pay 19% VAT.

But other than that it is quite easy to import animals and you also don't need any permission.

Just out of curiosity, do you know if insects are included in the E.U's definition of animals? I know that may sound odd or ignorant but I was surprised to learn that, at least in the U.S., insects often aren't considered to be animals and have their own regulations.

 

 

There is no exception for insects or other invertebrates. 

[SuperFrank]

Every animal has to be inspected by a veterinary. And as importer you have to pay for this inspection: https://www.zoll.de/...eases_node.html

Additionally it will also be checked by customs if you try to import any species which are on cites list. But no ant species is on that list so this shouldn't be any problem

As with all goods you also have to pay 19% VAT.

But other than that it is quite easy to import animals and you also don't need any permission.

Just out of curiosity, do you know if insects are included in the E.U's definition of animals? I know that may sound odd or ignorant but I was surprised to learn that, at least in the U.S., insects often aren't considered to be animals and have their own regulations.

There is no exception for insects or other invertebrates.

Thanks for your help, a final question, do you know if is it the responsibility of the shipper or the recipient to obtain the permits?

[Barristan]

The recipient is responsible for that.

 

In the past a lot of mostly private ant keepers tried to save the costs for importing ants, which led to ants intercepted and hold back by customs, that often lead to death of colonies...

[SuperFrank]

The recipient is responsible for that.

In the past a lot of mostly private ant keepers tried to save the costs for importing ants, which led to ants intercepted and hold back by customs, that often lead to death of colonies...

I love insects and am currently an entomology student, I have no plans to ship specimens without proper paperwork, both for ethical and person reasons as it could have a huge negative impact on my career.

Edited by SuperFrank, July 1 2020 - 5:42 AM.