Animal Plant Health Agency
The UK implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
You need to import (bring in) or export (take out) CITES specimens through the designated land, sea and air ports.
CITES-designated points of entry and exit
The customs offices at the following points of entry and exit are designated for CITES trade.
You can use these airports:
- Belfast International
- Birmingham International
- Bristol International
- Cardiff International
- East Midlands
- Edinburgh
- Gatwick
- Glasgow International
- Glasgow Prestwick
- Humberside
- London Heathrow
- London Luton
- London Stansted
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Southampton International
You can use these ports:
- Belfast Seaport
- Dover
- Eurotunnel
- Felixstowe
- Fishguard
- Harwich international
- Heysham
- Holyhead
- Hull
- Immingham
- Larne
- Liverpool Seaforth Container Terminal
- London Gateway (Port of London)
- Pembroke
- Plymouth
- Poole
- Portsmouth International Port
- RAF Northolt
- Southampton ABP
- Teesport
- Tilbury (Port of London)
Gibraltar is not included as a UK-designated port for CITES trade.
Postal hubs
Postal hubs have been designated at:
- Coventry International Parcel Post Hub
- Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre (HWDC)
Postal hubs cannot be used by the public. They are used by Royal Mail, postal courier services and Border Force to check CITES parcels.
Read how to import and export CITES specimens by post.
CITES specimens entering Great Britain from the EU or Northern Ireland (NI)
You must use CITES-designated points of entry and exit to move CITES specimens between Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and the EU.
When you move CITES specimens from GB to NI, or NI to GB, the import and export checks will all happen in NI. This means you can use any point of exit from GB, but you must use a CITES-designated point of entry and exit in NI.
Additional port arrangements for CITES specimens
There are additional arrangements if youre using roll on roll off (RoRo) services or Eurotunnel.
Using roll on roll off (RoRo) services
Youre able to use RoRo services, for example car ferries, at the following ports:
- Dover
- Eurotunnel
- Felixstowe
- Harwich
- Portsmouth
You need to stop and present your CITES documents to a customs official for endorsement.
You should check other custom controls required by HMRC. Read more about importing goods to the UK or exporting to the EU through roll on roll off services.
Importing and exporting CITES specimens through Eurotunnel
To import CITES specimens into GB through Eurotunnel you must present your CITES documents for endorsement.
If youre exporting specimens from GB through Eurotunnel you must present your CITES documents to Border Force at a suitable designated point of entry and exit before you travel through Eurotunnel.
CITES species coming into the UK from outside the EU
For all CITES species that enter the UK from outside the EU (rest of world), different animal and plant health conditions apply.
You must check the guidance and use the correct point of entry and exit if youre importing live animals, animal products and high-risk food and feed not of animal origin.
Read the guidance about border control posts (BCP) for animals and animal products.
Moving products of animal origin (POAO)
Before you import products of animal origin (POAO), you should check that the port or airport has the approvals and facilities to handle:
- products for human consumption
- products not for human consumption
- chilled or frozen goods
Moving food not of animal origin (FNAO)
You can move food not of animal origin (FNAO) for human consumption or animal feed through designated points of entry or exit for high risk foods.
Moving controlled plants or plant products or forestry materials (FM)
Read the guidance about which ports or airports can handle the import and export of controlled plants and plant products or regulated forestry material.
Moving to approved inland facilities
You may also import controlled plants and plant specimens or regulated forestry material through any CITES-designated ports if they are going to approved inland facilities.
Use the guidance to understa