Travelling with your pet: Commercial and non-commercial imports

What is the difference between commercial and non-commercial imports?

Non-commercial imports

Any situation where an owner travels with their own pet(s) (maximum 5) from a country outside the EU to the EU. The owner either travels along with their animal(s) or the owner's journey occurs no later than 5 days before or after the pet's journey.

Commercial imports

Although the term may suggest it, not only dogs and cats intended for sale fall within this category. Commercial imports of dogs and cats may also occur when: 

• There is a transfer of ownership of the animal after it was imported. This could be the purchase of an animal as well as its adoption without a profit motive.
• A pet owner is travelling with more than 5 dogs/cats.
• The pets' journey cannot take place within 5 days before or after the owner's journey.

What conditions do I have to meet if the transport of my pet(s) falls under commercial imports?

Apart from the above-mentioned import conditions relating to identification, vaccination, blood tests and health certificates, there are a number of additional import conditions which you will need to meet: 

• Your pet will need to travel via cargo.
• The only Belgian border control posts suitable for the commercial import of dogs and cats are:

  Zaventem Airport BE BRU 4 Brucargo building 700c B-1830 Machelen Tel: +32 (0)2 753 56 47 GIP.VLI@favv.be

  Liège Airport BE LGG 4 Flying Farm Bat. 48 B-4460 Grace-Hollogne Tel: +32 (0)4 224 59 11 PIF.LIE@afsca.be

• Within 10 days before the departure of your pet, you must have a specific health certificate issued by an official veterinarian in accordance with the model set out in Regulation (EU) 2021/403, Annex II, Chapter 38 (model CANIS-FELIS-FERRETS).
• Your pet must be examined by an official veterinarian within 48 hours before departure in the non-EU country. This veterinarian must certify that your animal is healthy and fit for transport.   
• The border control post (BCP) must be notified of the arrival of your pet via the application TRACES at least one working day in advance.
• Immediately upon arrival, your pet must be presented at the border control post for a veterinary import check.

Please note! Commercial imports of dogs and cats are not permitted from every country outside the EU. The country of origin must appear on the list in Annex VIII of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 2021/404.

More detailed information about travelling with pets can also be found on the FPS Public Health website, the European Commission website and the FASFC website. For specific questions about travelling from other countries, please contact import@favv.be.