The import of pet birds by travellers

Pet birds that are imported into the European Union by travellers or when an individual moves house into the European Union are also subject to restrictions. Their import is only permitted when, for example, the pet birds originate from certain non-EU countries and have an accompanying certificate from an official veterinarian of the country of dispatch, and the required declaration of their owner. This simplification is only applicable up to a maximum of five pet birds.

Furthermore, pet birds may only be imported into the European Union through a customs office that is assigned to a veterinary border inspection post. The competent German customs offices are listed in the directory of the Customs Administration under "Clearance of live and dead animals, parts, and products thereof, raw materials and animal waste, including other objects that may carry infectious material as specified in Section 2 (1) Infectious Animal Diseases Act (Tierseuchengesetz)".

Customs offices (in German)

There are exceptions to these restrictions for pet birds from some non-EU countries such as Switzerland, Greenland, Andorra, and Liechtenstein. To these countries the same provisions apply as those regulating the import of pet birds from other EU Member States. Please contact the competent regional (länder) veterinary authorities or the Federal Ministry of Nutrition and Agriculture for the relevant information.

The customs offices at air and sea ports and on the EU’s external borders monitor the origin of all shipments and inspect them for any possible source of danger.

You should request information in good time from the competent regional veterinary authorities before beginning your journey.

Competent veterinary border inspection posts (in German)PDF | 44 KB | Not a barrier-free file

More information on the regulations and requirements concerning avian influenza and the import of animal products/pet birds can be obtained from the Federal Ministry of Nutrition and Agriculture, The European Union, the competent German veterinary border inspection posts, or the competent veterinary authorities in your place of residence.