Importing Horses and Cattle from the UK — Veterinary Procedures, IPAFFS and Clearance Costs

Why Is Importing Horses from the UK More Complicated Than Before Brexit?

Before 1 January 2021, transporting horses between Poland and the United Kingdom took place within the EU single market — with no veterinary checks at the border, no health certificates, and no BIP requirement. A health certificate for equidae (VETER model) and a horse passport were all that was needed.

Post-Brexit, the UK became a "third country" — meaning that every live animal consignment from the UK to the EU is treated in the same way as an import from Brazil or Canada. Full veterinary requirements apply under EU Regulation 2016/429 (the Animal Health Law) and its delegated and implementing regulations.

Required Documents — ITAHC and the Horse Passport

ITAHC — Import TRACES Animal Health Certificate

The primary document required when importing equidae (horses, ponies, donkeys, mules) from the UK to the EU is the ITAHC (Import TRACES Animal Health Certificate) — an official animal health certificate issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) accredited by APHA (the Animal and Plant Health Agency) in the UK.

The ITAHC includes:

• Identification of each animal (microchip number or tattoo).
• Confirmation of health status (EU requirements covering: African Horse Sickness, WEE/EEE, Glanders, Equine Viral Arteritis, etc.).
• Laboratory test results (e.g. EHV-1/4 titre test, CEM — Contagious Equine Metritis for breeding mares).
• Confirmation of quarantine period (where required).
• Country of destination and EU BIP of entry.

The ITAHC is valid for 10 days from the date of issue — the consignment must arrive at the EU BIP before this period expires.

Horse Passport (Equine Identification Document)

Every horse must hold a valid passport issued by a recognised organisation (e.g. Weatherbys for Thoroughbreds, a Passport Office for sports horses). Following import into Poland, the horse must be registered in the Polish register (PZHiPK or PZJ) within 30 days of arrival.

IPAFFS — EU-Side Pre-Notification System

IPAFFS (Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System) is the EU IT system managed through TRACES NT. The importer or their agent must submit a CHED-A (Common Health Entry Document for Animals) in the IPAFFS system at least 24 hours before the expected arrival of the consignment at the BIP.

The CHED-A includes:

• Details of the importer and the consignor in the UK.
• Details of the vehicle and transport route.
• Number and identification of the animals.
• Designated BIP of entry.
• Reference number of the ITAHC.

Once the CHED-A has been submitted, the system generates a reference number that is passed to the BIP inspectors. Without an active CHED-A, the consignment will be held at the border.

BIPs — Border Inspection Posts in Poland

All live animal imports into Poland from third countries (including the UK) must enter through an approved BIP (Border Inspection Post). Poland has BIPs approved for the inspection of equidae and/or cattle at the following locations:

At the BIP, veterinary inspectors carry out:

• Documentary checks — verification of the ITAHC, passports, and CHED-A.
• Identity checks — verification of microchip numbers or tattoos.
• Physical checks — veterinary inspection of animals for health status and welfare.

Time taken for checks: typically 2–6 hours for small consignments of horses. Larger cattle consignments may take longer.

Costs of Importing Horses from the UK — Detailed Breakdown

Breeding Horses and Zero Tariff Under the TCA

The TCA provides for a zero tariff (0%) on registered equidae — i.e. horses and ponies entered in a recognised studbook in the UK — provided the rules of origin are satisfied. A horse born in the UK with a British studbook breeding passport and studbook number qualifies for TCA preferences. The condition is that the exporter must include a Statement on Origin or an EUR.1 certificate.

The standard duty for non-registered horses (CN 0101.21) is 2.5% of customs value. For horses destined for slaughter (CN 0101.29) — 0%.

Animal Transport — Welfare Requirements

In addition to customs and veterinary formalities, the transport of horses and cattle is subject to animal welfare legislation. The vehicle must comply with the requirements of EU Regulation 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport. The driver must hold a valid Certificate of Competence and the vehicle must be equipped with a ventilation system, water points, and appropriate partitions. For journeys exceeding 8 hours, vehicle approval by the competent authority (Type II approval) is required.

Official Sources

• GOV.UK: Export live animals from Great Britain — APHA / DEFRA, 2026
• EU Commission: IPAFFS import notification — European Commission, 2026
• GOV.UK: Import horses from Great Britain to EU — APHA, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What documents are required to import a horse from the UK to Poland?

The following are required to import a horse from the UK to Poland: (1) ITAHC — official health certificate issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) in the UK, valid for 10 days; (2) horse passport issued by a recognised organisation; (3) CHED-A submitted in the IPAFFS system at least 24 hours before arrival at the BIP; (4) commercial invoice or proof of ownership; (5) export declaration (EX1) issued in the UK and import declaration on the Polish side. For registered breeding horses qualifying for TCA — a Statement on Origin or EUR.1.

How much does it cost to import a horse from the UK?

The total cost of importing a horse from the UK to Poland includes: export customs clearance in the UK (from £45 to £150), issue of the ITAHC by an OV (£200–£500 per consignment), EU-required laboratory tests (£100–£400 per horse), veterinary inspection at the Polish BIP (€50–€200 per animal), Polish-side import charges, and any applicable VAT (8% of customs value). Duty is 0% for registered breeding horses under TCA or 2.5% for others. The figures above are indicative — a precise quotation is provided once documents have been submitted.

Where are the BIPs for horses and cattle in Poland?

The main BIPs in Poland approved for equidae and cattle arriving by sea are Swinoujscie (Stena Line and TT-Line ferries from the UK) and Gdansk. Air transport of horses (e.g. racehorses) is handled by the BIP at Warsaw Chopin Airport. All vehicles carrying live animals must proceed directly to the designated BIP without intermediate stops.

How do you pre-notify a horse import through IPAFFS?

The CHED-A (Common Health Entry Document for Animals) is completed by the importer or their agent in the IPAFFS system (access via TRACES NT — European Commission website). The form must be submitted at least 24 hours before the planned arrival at the BIP. The system generates a CHED-A reference number that is passed to the BIP inspectors. For competition horses from the UK (e.g. following an event), additional simplified procedures apply under the Registered Horses Scheme.

How long does horse clearance at a Polish BIP take?

A standard BIP check (documentary, identity, and physical) typically takes 2 to 6 hours for a small consignment of horses (1–4 animals). For larger cattle consignments it may take up to 12 hours. Delays can occur if documentation is incomplete or if veterinary inspection findings raise concerns. It is advisable to plan arrivals at the BIP during working hours (06:00–20:00) and to confirm arrival in advance by telephone with the BIP inspectors.