Moving to Itay - Moving of Animals & Plants

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.