Bringing exotic pets to Germany: What you need to know

Do you dream of moving to Germany with your exotic companion – be it a rare reptile, an amphibian, or another special animal ? While moving with dogs or cats already requires planning, importing exotic animals from non-EU countries is a highly complex process. To ensure that you and your pet arrive safely and legally, we have summarized the most important regulations regarding animal health, species protection, and customs .

Animal health: Safety first

To prevent the introduction of animal diseases, strict procedures apply to live animals from non-EU countries. The first airport you land at in the EU (e.g., Frankfurt or Munich) is crucial.

• TRACES & CHED : You usually need to create an electronic border control document (CHED) via the EU platform TRACES at least 24 hours before arrival .

• Border Control Points (BCPs) : Your animal must undergo a thorough veterinary examination upon arrival . Important: In Germany, entry with live animals is only possible via certain airports that have an approved border control point (label "LA").

• Documentation: Entry will be refused without valid veterinary certificates from the country of origin.

Pro tip: Contact the relevant border control office at your destination airport weeks before your flight to clarify the exact requirements for your animal species. Additionally, you should contact your local nature conservation authority in Germany to find out if you need to register keeping an exotic animal at your place of residence in Germany. The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation could be a helpful first point of contact.

Species protection (CITES): A critical point

Many exotic animals are covered by the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) . This convention protects endangered species and strictly regulates their trade and transport. Be sure to check whether your animal is listed in Appendix I or II of the convention. If so, you will need special import and export permits . While German customs checks the documents upon entry, they do not decide on the protected status. The responsible authority for this is the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) . Contact the BfN early to avoid any misunderstandings.

Customs clearance: The formal registration

Once the vet has given the go-ahead, it's time to go to customs. There are two options here. If you are permanently relocating to Germany, you can declare your pet as duty-free personal effects under certain conditions ( form 0350 is often used for this). If the animal's value falls within the applicable duty-free allowances for travelers, importation may be duty-free (travel allowances). Important: At the airport, be sure to use the red channel (goods subject to declaration) if you are traveling with an exotic animal that requires CITES documents or veterinary paperwork ( release for free circulation ).

Checklist for your move with exotic animals:

• Airline: Clarify the transport conditions and box requirements.

• Border control point: Contact the veterinarian at the German airport.

• BfN: Check the CITES status of your animal species.

• Local authorities: Find out if you need to register the keeping of the animal with the nature conservation authority at your new place of residence in Germany.

Importing exotic animals therefore requires patience and precision. Errors in the documentation can lead to quarantine or, in the worst case, the return of the animal at your expense.