Entry, transit, export and intra-Community movements in accordance with animal health and foodstuffs legislation; application for a permit

If you wish to import or transport animals, animal products or goods that may be carriers of infectious agents through Germany, you must apply for a permit.

You require a permit for the entry, transit and, in individual cases, for the export and intra-Community movements of animals and animal products as well as goods that may be carriers of infectious agents.

This does not apply to animals and goods originating in a third country that are accompanied by a certificate and for which no permit is required.

A permit may not be issued if there is a risk of spreading animal diseases.

Products and products that can be confused with foodstuffs that do not comply with the laws applicable in Germany, with the exception of

• Foodstuffs intended exclusively for scientific purposes, trade fairs, exhibitions or similar events,
• food samples and specimens in small quantities,

may not be brought into the country. Their transit requires customs supervision.

• The documents vary depending on the individual case. Please contact the responsible office.

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The first point of contact is always the local competent veterinary office. All entries from third countries must be made via a veterinary border inspection post in the case of first contact with an EU country.

The application can be made informally in writing, by fax or e-mail. If certificates must be enclosed in accordance with specified models, the local competent veterinary office can provide information on this.

All declarations for consignments of animal origin from third countries must be made in TRACES NT. TRACES NT is a web application designed to achieve better control and traceability of animal transports and transports of animal products. TRACES NT is based on personalized access. This means that every transport employee needs a user account (EU login) in TRACES NT if they want to work in TRACES NT and create common health entry documents (GGEDs). If not already available, a corresponding access to the system must be created.

No deadlines need to be observed for the application itself. When handling the trade, e.g. an animal transport, official notification obligations of the partner veterinary authorities in other EU Member States may arise, about which the locally competent veterinary office will provide information.

The fees depend on the individual case and vary greatly. If necessary, ask the responsible authority.

Intra-Community movement refers to movement between the Member States of the European Union.

The movement of animals and goods from third countries is referred to as entry. Third countries are countries that do not belong to the European Union.

Transit refers to incoming consignments that are subsequently re-exported. This means that they come from a third country and also return to a third country.

Before each movement, entry or transit, it should be clarified exactly which requirements must be met in order to prevent the animals or goods from being rejected at the border inspection post.