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Reptiles: Import Controls

Under the new model SPS commodities are categorised based on the inherent risk (high, medium or low) that the commodity poses to biosecurity, combined with any specific risk from the country of origin. Live animals are inherently high risk; they cannot be kept in sealed consignments and some of them pose not only a potential animal health risk but also a risk for to the environment in the case of non-native species or invasive pests, and a risk to the trade on endangered species. Later in 2024 we expect all checks on live animals (except pet animals) to be carried out at a live animal Border Control Post, as they become operational.Under the Target Operating Model we will apply the same rules to the EU that currently apply to Rest of World imports of live animals including reptiles and amphibians.