Movement of objects
There are no particular customs formalities or duties for things that appear,
"by their nature or number, to be intended for the private, personal or
family use of the recipients or of the persons who transport them or which
appear to be intended as gifts".
Conveyance of animals
Movements of pet animals within the European Union are governed by Regulation
(EC) No 998/2003, which lays down the obligation to provide pets with a special
European passport.
This law has been in force since 3 July 2004 and applies to the following animal
species: dogs, cats, ferrets, invertebrates (except bees and crustaceans),
tropical ornamental fish, amphibia, reptiles, birds (except poultry), mammals
such as rodents and domestic rabbits.
The passport accompanying these animals in their travels should be issued by
a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority and must certify that the
animal has been vaccinated against rabies, ticks and echinococcosis.
In addition, the passport must include a statement that the animal is in good
health and able to withstand the journey, signed by the competent veterinarian.
Other animals
Other animals such as fish, frogs and tortoises:
- importation is allowed if they are accompanied by a certificate of origin
issued by the authorities of the country of origin, which must certify that
the animal has had a medical examination and is free of infectious diseases.
Protected species
Animals
Some animals (e.g. parrots, lizards, snakes, turtles, ornamental fish, any
species of birds, monkeys, etc.) originating from specified countries belong to
species protected by the Washington Convention. A traveller wishing to bring
such animals into the country must show a CITES (the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) certificate; which is to
say, the export permit issued by the authorities of the country of origin.
The import of some types of animals listed in Appendix I of the Washington
Convention, such as animals with pelt markings (leopards, cheetahs and ocelots),
is strictly prohibited.
Failure to observe these provisions regarding CITES certification will lead
to the imposition of a fine ranging from 2 to 18 million or, in the most serious
cases, the confiscation of the animal.
Ivory, furs and coral
In addition, products derived from animals protected by the Washington
Convention (e.g. ivory, fur and coral), must be accompanied upon entry by a
CITES certificate. The penalties are the same as those provided for the import
of animals.
Plants
Some types of plant (for example, cacti and orchids) are also recognised as
"protected species". Any traveller wishing to import such types of
plants, must obtain an authorization certificate issued by the authorities of
the country of origin. The Washington Convention prohibits completely the import
and export of some species (such as the Ariocarpus cactus and the Papiotelinum
orchid).
Useful sources of further information and related topics:
- DM 10 April 1969
OM 27 September 1963
Traveller’s customs charter
Regulation (EC) No 998/2003
Decision 2003/803/EC
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2006
Reproduction is authorised.
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