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ASD GROUP > CUSTOMS > BREXIT: IMPORT/EXPORT OF EQUINES

Brexit: ASD Group helps you with the import and export of equines to and from the United Kingdom

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Horse events and equestrian sports will soon be allowed to resume.

With Brexit, the rules for transporting horses or ponies between the European Union and Great Britain have changed.

  • Customs formalities
  • For imports or exports (purchases or sales)
  • For equestrian competitions, temporary imports and exports, ATA Carnet
  • Veterinary checks
ASD Group can take charge of all these formalities.
brexit-import-export-horse-obstacles

Are you travelling your horses and ponies by Eurotunnel or through the port of Calais?

ASD Group is on the spot to welcome you, but everything is prepared before your arrival to ensure your horses spend the least time possible in transit.

Let us deal with everything for you, so you can get maximum benefit from your passion.

Download our brochure

What has Brexit changed when it comes to the import/export of horses and ponies in the European Union?

From 1 January 2021, the physical border between the United Kingdom and the European Union was re-established.

From now on, every movement between the European Union and the United Kingdom is subject to customs formalities.

In addition to these customs procedures, live animals or products of animal origin are subject to a veterinary check at the first point of entry into European Union territory.

Equines, whether horses or ponies, are affected by these measures. This includes those entering European Union territory for a temporary period, i.e. to take part in a horse show or race, for example.

There are no exceptions. Even taking part in an equestrian event for a few hours requires certain formalities to be completed.

What formalities?

The formalities will depend on the reason why the equine is entering the European Union.

Permanent importation of a horse

When an English horse is sold in the European Union, the purchaser’s status needs to be taken into account:
  • whether the purchaser is liable for tax in the European Union,
  • whether the purchaser is a resident of the European Union, but not subject to VAT.

Depending on the purchaser’s status and geographical situation, the customs formalities ensure that the taxes and VAT are paid.

Administration of the VAT will be different depending on the importer’s geographical situation and status. ASD Group as a RDE (Registered Customs Representative) and in conjunction with its taxation services will support you in completing all these formalities and fulfilling your obligations.

Temporary import of a horse or pony

When a horse enters the European Union from the United Kingdom to take part in a horse show or equestrian competition, then returns to the United Kingdom:
  • documents for temporary imports need to be completed for entry into the European Union,
  • followed by the documents for re-exports when the equine leaves European Union territory.
There are 2 ways of dealing with these formalities:
  • Either, by formalities called common law. This means making a temporary import declaration upon entering European Union territory then making a re-export declaration when the horse returns to the United Kingdom once the event is over.
  • Or by using an ATA Carnet, a book of counterfoils issued by chambers of commerce.

This simplifies customs formalities, but the customs inspection and SIVEP control need to be carried out.

One ATA carnet per transit:

  • One counterfoil is for the English customs when leaving the United Kingdom;
  • Another counterfoil is for entry into European Union territory.

On return,

  • one counterfoil is for the European Union customs office ;
  • one counterfoil is for the English customs when the equine returns to the United Kingdom.
Receipt of these counterfoils is accompanied byphysical identification of the equines.

Veterinary checks for equines by SIVEP

To receive authorisation to enter European Union territory, horses must undergo a veterinary check by SIVEP. Several checks will be carried out: documents, identity and physical checks with the aid of documents supplied by the client and handled by ASD Group. As well as the veterinary check, a documentary procedure needs to be carried out before your departure and when you arrive in the EU. To familiarise yourself with the different terms, see the glossary below.

What documents are required
for an SPS check by SIVEP?

  • For the horses: import licence - health record + passport/veterinary certificate (health certificate). In view of the English health certificate, a declaration is issued in TRACES in “NEW” mode; once the health check has been completed, the declaration status changes from “NEW” to “APPROVED”. Consequently, the entry of any good which is subject to a SPS check (sanitary and phytosanitary) on European Union territory with a declaration in “NEW” mode is unlawful and risks serious penalties.
  • For the lorry: Information relating to the lorry’s registration plate + certificate of the driver’s skills.

How do document checks by SIVEP take place?

  • An appointment is made beforehand by ASD Group with SIVEP for the arrival of the horses.
  • In TRACES and for the health certificate check: Creation of a CHED (Common Health Entry Document), Category A (Live animals) using the software TRACES

    Note: 1 horse = 1 health certificate = 1 CHED-A
  • 24 hours before the lorry leaves, the health certificate must be downloaded in the My-Asd portal to finalise the CHED-A which will be presented at the SIVEP check.

What happens at a SIVEP identity check?

  • An identity and/or physical check is carried out if the document check is approved by SIVEP.

What happens at the customs check after the SPS checks by SIVEP?

  • An advance customs declaration needs to be approved.
  • The approved CHED-A needs to be downloaded in the my-asd.com portal.
  • Customs examine the import declaration issued by ASD Group and issue a BAE (customs release note) allowing the release of the lorry.
Download our brochure
brexit-import-export-horses

Why call on ASD Group?

Because live animals are not objects and because the stress of travelling is a test in itself, our sole focus is that they spend the least amount of time possible at the checks and import site.

So that your horses spend as little time as possible in the transition stables.

Every attempt is made to anticipate your arrival.

ASD Group tools were designed so that we can work in collaboration with you in order to facilitate your transit.

The whole team at ASD Group is working together for your animals.

What formalities?

In addition to your customs documents and the SPS checks by SIVEP, ASD Group will soon be offering a complete transit package, the “border pass”. ASD Group will therefore take charge of all the documentation for your arrival in France.

Glossary

So that you can familiarise yourself with administrative terms, below we have provided the main terms and abbreviations that you will come across.

SAD – Single Administrative Document: It is a form used in the European Union to allow the importation and exportation of goods. The SAD can take several forms depending on the flow, the nature of the operation the importing country.

TRACES / TRAde Control and Expert System-New Technology: It is a European software tool used for the issuance of sanitary, phytosanitary or veterinary certificates.

CHED / Common Health Entry Document: It is a sanitary, phytosanitary or veterinary certificate which is set up on the TRACES system. This certificate can take several forms, depending on the type of product.

CHED / Common Health Entry Document : In French, this is known as the DSCE.

SPS / Sanitary and phytosanitary: These are products subject to sanitary regulations.

SIVEP / Veterinary and Phytosanitary Border Inspection Office: The service in charge of checks and controls.

CS – Health certificate: A certificate issued by the British authorities which confirms product compliance. This certificate on its own does not permit the entry goods into the territory of the European Union; it needs to be accompanied by a CHED (DSCE) in TRACE.

BCP: Designated Border Control Post.

TDU: Customs Territory of the Union.

ATA Carnet – Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission: A document that permits tax-free and duty-free temporary exports and imports.

Additional ASD services

01
Customs clearance and
customs operations
02
SPS controls (SIVEP)
03
Our Services: Customs Operations

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