1. import of dogs, cats and ferrets
The conditions are defined in Regulation(EU) 2020/692.
A veterinary certificate according to the model (CANIS-FELIS-FERRETS) in Annex II Chapter 38 of Regulation (EU) 2021/403 must be provided during border veterinary checks at the EU external border. This must have been drawn up in accordance with the explanatory notes on the completion of certificates in Chapter 4 of Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation(EU) 2020/2235.
Importation may only take place from those third countries listed in accordance with Annex VIII, Part 1 of Regulation(EU) 2021/404, as amended by Regulation(EU) 2022/35.
The animals must be clearly identified (since July 3, 2011, animals may only be identified by microchip).
In order to provide a better overview, the listed countries in Annex VIII Part 1 of Regulation(EU) 2021/404 are divided into two groups, those from which importation is possible without serological blood testing (rabies titre determination) and those for which serological blood testing is mandatory.
A. Serological rabies testing (rabies titer determination) is not required for dogs, cats and ferrets from the following countries:
Andorra, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City State, Ascension, United Arab Emirates, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Aruba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Barbados, Bahrain, Bermuda, Bonaire, St. Eustace and Saba (the Caribbean Netherlands), Belarus, Canada, Chile, Curaçao, Fiji, Falkland Islands, United Kingdom, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, St. Kitts and Nevis, Cayman Islands, Saint Lucia, Montserrat, Northern Macedonia, Mauritius, Mexico, Malaysia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Russia, Singapore, St. Helena, Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago, Taiwan, United States of America (including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and American Virgin Islands), St. Vincent and the Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.
Due to the conditions to be met, there is no importation of dogs, cats and ferrets younger than 16 weeks. (Rabies vaccination after 12 weeks of age and 21 days until the validity of the vaccination). Since the conditions are fully harmonized, there is no possibility of a national permit for younger animals.
B. For the following countries, a serological rabies test (rabies titer determination) is mandatory for the importation of dogs, cats and ferrets:
Albania, Bolivia, Belize, Brazil, Botswana, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Madagascar, Morocco, Moldova, Montenegro, Namibia, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, El Salvador, Swaziland (Eswatini), Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, South Africa, Zimbabwe.
Animals from these non-EU countries, if they meet all conditions, are thus always at least 7 months old.
Dogs, cats and ferrets from Switzerland or Norway are moved under the conditions of intra-union trade.
Control
The border veterinary import control into the EU takes place at the first border inspection post approved for this type of animal. The veterinary certificates must be issued in the official language of the member state in which the veterinary border control takes place and in the official language of the member state of destination.
The border veterinarian also checks whether the conditions for the protection of animals during transport are complied with. These conditions are laid down in Regulation(EC) No. 1/2005. Please note the registration conditions for the transport vehicles.
The planned border crossing of the animals must be announced to the border veterinarian of the border inspection post concerned at least one working day in advance by means of GGED-A(Common Health Entry Document).
Information on how to carry out the border veterinary inspection can also be found at the Internet address:
https://www.bavg.gv.at/einfuhr-import/allgemeine-informationen
The importer must immediately inform the locally competent official veterinarian of the arrival of the animals at the place of destination.
2. entry of dogs, cats and ferrets under the conditions of travel.
The conditions for travel are met by dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) and ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) if they are accompanied by their owner or another authorized person responsible for the animals on behalf of the owner during the movement and are not intended to be the subject of a sale or transfer of ownership.
On the BAVG website, you can find all the information for the entry of dogs, cats and ferrets in travel at:
https://www.bavg.gv.at/einfuhr-import/lebende-tiere/reiseverkehr
Legal basis (to be applied in the latest valid version):
Important Internet addresses:
- List of Austrian border inspection posts and Common Health Entry Document (GGED)
- List of EU approved laboratories for serological rabies testing
Please note that there may also be import restrictions and import bans due to other EU and national regulations such as financial law (e.g. customs).
Information on customs law is available from the Federal Ministry of Finance on the homepage: https://www.bmf.gv.at/ under customs.
Important
For a successful import at the border veterinary control at the EU external border, the following points must be observed in particular:
- Presentation of an official veterinary certificate according to the specimen
- Valid rabies vaccination
- The animals must be clearly marked (e.g. microchip)
- Import is only allowed from those third countries, from which the import is allowed according to Annex VIII Part 1 of Regulation(EU) 2021/404, corrected by Regulation(EU) 2021/1727.
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For certain countries, a serological rabies test is also required; animals from these non-EU countries, if they meet all conditions, are thus always at least 7 months old.
Import of live birds not in tourist traffic into the European Union
The provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Regulation (EU) 2020/692 apply to the import of captive birds (birds not covered under poultry, including those kept for shows, races, exhibitions, tournament fights, for breeding or for sale).
Animals for approved species protection programs and animal experiments are not regulated uniformly across the EU. For such imports, if they are destined for Austria, a veterinary authorization by the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection is required.
Birds from Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City State may be brought into the European Union under the conditions for intra-Community trade.
Import conditions
The following points for the import of birds must be fulfilled according to Regulation(EU) 2020/692:
- Birds may only be imported from third countries approved by the EU and the birds must have been bred in captivity.
- The bird breeding establishments must have been approved by the third country. The information about the list of breeding farms can be found on the homepage of the EU.
- The birds must have been tested forAI (Avian Influenza) and NCD(Newcastle Disease) with negative results 7 to 14 days prior to shipment.
- Birds must not have been vaccinated against AI (avian influenza).
- Birds were uniquely identified individually by a seamlessly sealed leg ring or microchip, and this identification was recorded on the certificate.
- The birds are transported in new containers that have an identification number on the outside, which is entered in the certificate.
- A veterinary certificate conforming to the model (CAPTIVE-BIRDS) in Chapter 34 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2021/403 is presented at the border veterinary inspection.
- Countries from which imports of captive birds are allowed are listed in Annex VI of Regulation(EU) 2021/404.
- The importer or the person authorized to dispose of the birds must provide the border veterinarian with a written confirmation from the person responsible for the quarantine facility that the birds will be admitted for quarantine. This confirmation must include the approval number and the name and address of the quarantine facility.
Control
Live birds are subject to border veterinary inspection.
The border veterinary import control into the EU takes place at the first border inspection post approved for this species (e.g. Vienna Schwechat, Hamburg, Amsterdam, etc.).
The veterinary certificates must be issued in an official language of the Member State in which the veterinary border inspection takes place and in the official language of the Member State of destination.
The planned border crossing of the consignment must be announced to the border veterinarian of the border inspection post concerned one working day in advance (at the Austrian border at least 18 hours) using the GGED-A(Common Health Entry Document).
The border veterinarian also checks compliance with the conditions for the protection of animals during transport. These conditions are laid down in Regulation(EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations.
Quarantine
After being cleared by the border veterinarian, the birds must be immediately taken to the approved quarantine facility or quarantine station to which they were cleared, within a maximum of 9 hours.
The competent official veterinarian must be notified in writing of the arrival of the birds at the place of destination (approved quarantine facility or quarantine station) within one working day.
The birds must be quarantined for at least 30 days.
At least at the beginning and before the end of quarantine, the official veterinarian shall inspect the quarantine conditions in addition to ongoing monitoring. During quarantine, the prescribed examinations, including sampling and testing procedures, shall be performed.
If even one bird is confirmed to be suspected of AI and NCD or if there is an outbreak of the disease, all birds shall be culled and disposed of in a disease-proof manner.
Poultry note
According to Regulation(EU) 2016/429, poultry is defined as birds raised or kept in captivity for the following purposes:
- Production of meat, table eggs and other products;
- Restocking of wild stocks;
- Breeding of birds for the purpose of producing meat, eggs for consumption and other products; and restocking of wild stocks.
Basically, the import conditions are regulated by Regulation(EU) 2016/429 and Regulation(EU) 2020/692.
Veterinary certification is specified in Annex II of Regulation(EU) 2021/403, depending on the type of use.
Countries from which the import of poultry is allowed are listed in Annex V of Regulation(EU) 2021/404.
Please note that import restrictions and import bans may also exist due to other EU and national regulations such as financial regulations (e.g. customs) or due to species protection (CITES).
Information on customs law is available from the Federal Ministry of Finance on the homepage: https://www.bmf.gv.at/ under customs.
Information on species protection regulations can be found on the homepage of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (BMLRT) at: https://www.bmlrt.gv.at/umwelt/natur-artenschutz/internat_natur_artenschutz0/cites.html
Import of aquatic animals into Austria
Definitions
According to Regulation(EU) 2016/429, aquatic animal means the following species in all stages of development, including eggs, sperm and gametes:
- Fish of the superclass Agnatha and of the classes Chondrichthyes and Sarcopterygii and Actinopterygii; or
- aquatic molluscs of the phylum Mollusca, or
- aquatic crustaceans of the subtribe Crustacea.
Aquaculture animal: any aquatic animal kept in aquaculture.
Aquaculture means the keeping of aquatic animals where the animals remain the property of a natural or legal person throughout the rearing or husbandry process, including harvesting, except for the harvesting or capture of wild aquatic animals that are subsequently held temporarily without feeding until slaughter, for human consumption.
Control
Live fish, molluscs, crustaceans as well as their eggs, seeds and gametes are subject to border veterinary inspection.
The border veterinary import control into the EU takes place at the first border inspection post approved for this species (e.g. Vienna Schwechat, Hamburg, Amsterdam, etc.).
The veterinary certificates must be issued in an official language of the Member State in which the veterinary border inspection takes place and in the official language of the Member State of destination.
The planned border crossing of the consignment must be announced to the border veterinarian of the border inspection post concerned one working day in advance (at least 18 hours at the Austrian border) using the Common Health Entry Document (GGED-A).
The responsible official veterinarian must be informed of the arrival of the animals at the place of destination.
The border veterinarian also checks compliance with the conditions for the protection of animals during transport. These conditions are laid down in Regulation(EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations. In addition, checks are carried out to ensure that consignments are packaged and labeled in accordance with Regulation(EC) No. 853/2004.
(1) Live aquatic animals for certain aquaculture operations, for release into open waters, or for other purposes.
The import requirements are laid down in Regulation(EU) 2020/692.
A separate certificate must be issued for each species, molluscs (CN code 0307), crustaceans (CN code 0306) or fish (CN code 0301 10).
The health certificate for the entry into the Union of aquatic animals intended for certain aquaculture production businesses, for release into open waters or for purposes other than direct human consumption must conform to the model AQUA-ENTRY-ESTAB/RELEASE/OTHER drawn up in accordance with the model set out in Annex II to Regulation(EU) 2020/2236, as last amended by Regulation (EU) 2021/1471.
This veterinary certificate shall be completed in accordance with the explanatory notes on completion of certificates set out in Chapter 4 of Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation(EU) 2020/2235.
Consignments of live aquatic animals of listed species may only be imported from third countries listed in Section A of Part 1 of Annex XXI to Regulation(EU) 2021/404, as amended by Regulation(EU) 2021/1937.
The list of third countries or territories from which the receipt of consignments of molluscs and crustaceans of listed species intended for ornamental closed systems
is laid down in Annex XXI, Part 1, Section B of Regulation(EU) 2021/404, as amended by Regulation(EU) 2021/1937.
2. live fish for immediate consumption
Live fish for immediate consumption are considered fishery products.
The veterinary/official certificate to be used for live fish, live crustaceans and products derived from these animals intended for human consumption shall comply with the model FISH-CRUST-HC established in accordance with the model set out in Chapter 28 of Annex III to Regulation(EU) 2020/2235, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2021/1471.
The veterinary/official certificate to be used for live bivalve molluscs, echinoderms, tunicates, marine gastropods and products derived from these animals intended for human consumption shall comply with the model MOL-HC drawn up in accordance with the model set out in Chapter 31 of Annex III to Regulation(EU) 2020/2235, as amended by Regulation(EU) 2021/1471.
Consignments of fishery products intended for human consumption shall originate from third countries listed in Annex IX to Regulation(EU) 2021/405 as amended. Furthermore, fish from aquaculture may only be imported from third countries that have a residue monitoring plan approved by the EU (Decision 2011/163/EU as last amended by Commission Implementing Decision(EU) 2021/2315).
The establishments from which fishery products may be imported can be found at the web address: http://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/international_affairs/trade/non-eu-countries/index_en.htm.
For third countries that have an agreement with the EU, such as New Zealand, Canada or the USA, separate conditions may be specified.
Please note that import restrictions and import bans may also exist due to other EU and national regulations such as financial regulations (e.g. customs) or due to species protection (CITES).
Information on customs law is available from the Federal Ministry of Finance on the homepage: https://www.bmf.gv.at/ under customs.
Information on species protection regulations can be found on the homepage of the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) at: https://www.bmk.gv.at/themen/klima_umwelt/naturschutz/artenhandel.html
Attention: Import ban!
Due to phytosanitary measures, the import of certain snail species (genus Pomacea) is currently prohibited!
- Measures to protect against the introduction of the genus Pomacea BdK 2012/697/EU.
- Information of the plant protection department of AGES