Travelling with my pet bird from a country outside the EU to the Netherlands

What conditions does your trip have to meet?

• The bird you are travelling with must be a pet animal. The following species are excluded from being pet birds: chicken, turkey, guinea fowl, duck, goose, quail, pigeon, pheasant, partridge or flightless bird (Ratitae).
• Your trip is not for commercial purposes. For example, the bird may not change ownership. 
• You are not taking your bird to a bird fair or a bird show.
• You may bring a maximum of 5 birds.

What other requirements do I need to meet?

You also need to meet the following requirements:

• The country your bird is travelling from must be a member of the animal health organisation WOAH.
• The bird must have been examined by a veterinarian 48 hours or less before departure.
• The information given about the bird in the owner’s statement must be accurate.
• The bird must be fitted with a microchip transponder (chip) or a closed leg ring with an unique code.
• The bird must have been vaccinated against bird flu, tested for bird flu or come from a country where import of poultry and products thereof is allowed. Ask the veterinarian of the government if the country you’re coming from with your bird is such a country. If this is the case, you do not need to have your bird vaccinated or tested for bird flu.

A full list of requirements can also be found on the health certificate. And in European Regulations 2021/1938 and 2021/1933.

Where can I enter the EU with my pet bird?

There are a number of points where you are permitted to enter the EU with your animal. Consult this overview for full details. On arrival, you must report to customs with your animal at the ‘goods to declare’ channel. Customs will then check your animal and the necessary documentation.

Need help travelling with your pet?

It is possible to use the services of a pet shipper. You can search for a suitable company on the website of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA).

The trip with my animal is commercial

If your trip does not meet the conditions for travelling with a pet (e.g. because you are travelling with more than five birds), then it has to meet a number of import requirements:

• Your birds must be inspected at a border control post.
• You need to employ the services of a pet shipper or an agent. A pet shipper takes care of mandatory pre-notification and makes an appointment at an inspection centre on your behalf. A list of pet shippers can be found on the IPATA website.

Which animals are you not allowed to bring with you?

You are not allowed to bring certain animals with you when travelling to the Netherlands, or only under strict conditions. This could be because the animal belongs to a protected species or poses a threat to the natural environment.