Animals

The transport of live animals (for production or slaughter) from one Member State to another is subject to obtaining a health certificate. In Luxembourg, this is delivered by the Administration of Veterinary Services that will make sure the animals are in proper condition for travel and do not show any disease or infection, in compliance with European regulations.

A road map indicating the route as well as the resting and feeding times must also accompany the animals in order to make sure that the well-being of the animals is respected during transport.

These documents are recorded in the European TRACES system in order to provide for traceability.

The transport of pets by individuals does not require a health certificate.

More informations available on the website of the Customs and Excise Administration.

Transporting live animals (for production or slaughter) to a third country is subject to obtaining a health certificate. This is not necessary for pets.

The health certificate is delivered by the Administration of Veterinary Services that makes sure that the animal is in proper condition for travel and does not show any disease or infection in compliance with the European regulations and the laws of the destination country.

A road map indicating the route as well as the resting and feeding times must also accompany the animals in order to make sure that the well-being of the animals is respected during transport.

In case of import or transit of an animal in the European Union via Luxembourg, the animal must pass by the Border Inspection Post (BIP) located at the airport, the only border entry point of Luxembourg.

The BIP will control the documents and the animal and deliver a Common Veterinary Entry Document (DVCE) as applicable.

The operating procedures of the BIP are available from the Administration of Veterinary Services. The arrival of an animal at the inspection post must be notified at least 24 hours in advance using the TRACES system.

You can call upon the service of a customs representative who you appoint to carry out the customs procedures for you but also as necessary with the control authorities. The customs representative knows about the necessary laws and administrative procedures and is responsible for their completion.

No. European regulations define which products may be imported from what countries.

Animal products are imported exclusively from a third country or from a part of a third country appearing on an established and updated list and if the animal product originates from an approved establishment mentioned on the list.

Animal products must be accompanied by health certificates delivered by the veterinary authorities in the exporting third country, guaranteeing that the conditions of import in the European Union (EU) have been complied with.

Animal products are verified at the Border Inspection Post at the time of their entry in the EU. Controls may also be carried out at the place of destination.

No. To be able to be imported in the European Union (EU), certain animals must originate from third countries or from territories included in a list of authorized countries. The list varies depending on the animal imported (e.g. ungulates, equidae, mollusks, birds, etc.).

In all cases, the animals must be accompanied by a conforming health certificate established by the official veterinarian in the exporting country and meet the requirements of the EU.  

Generally speaking, animal products can only be brought into the EU via a Border Inspection Post approved by the European Commission, and must be registered in the TRACES system.

There are however exceptions, in particular for products that:

• are contained in the personal luggage of travelers and are intended for their personal consumption
  
  
• are contained in small shipments sent to individuals, when it is a matter of imports of a non-commercial nature
  
  
• are sent as commercial samples or are intended for trade shows, provided that they are not intended to be sold and have been authorized for this purpose by the competent authority
  
  
• are intended for special studies or analyses, to the extent that official auditing can ensure that such products are not delivered for human consumption and that, when the exhibition is terminated or when the special studies or the analyses have been carried out, these products, except for the amounts use during the analyses, will be destroyed or returned.

Two government agencies are in charge of allocating CITES permits for products from protected species:

• the Administration of Agricultural Technical Services (ASTA) is responsible for plants
• the Administration of Veterinary Services (ASV) is responsible for animals.

The trade of pets must comply to the regulations on animals. The animals must be accompanied by a health certificate and a road map. More information on the domestic animal trade on the website of the Administration of Veterinary Services (Administration des Services Vétérinaires - ASV).

Individuals traveling with domestic animals for non-commercial purposes must follow certain procedures. For more information, see the website of the Administration of Veterinary Services.