Importing & Passporting RMH

Importing a Horse to the UK

[Information taken from GOV.UK (link checked June 10, 2025)]

Any horse coming into the UK must have an up-to-date horse passport. This can come from:

• a UK Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO)

• an approved body from another country

If the horse will be in the UK for more than 90 days and does not have a UK horse passport, you must register the foreign passport with a UK PIO. You must apply within 30 days of the horse’s arrival.

Use a PIO that manages studbooks if you have a pedigree.

There are limited circumstances where you do not need to register the foreign passport with a UK PIO. A PIO will tell you if one of those circumstances apply if you contact them.

If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales, read more about the rules for:

• importing horses from Northern Ireland, EU countries and Norway

• importing horses from any other country

If you’re in Northern Ireland, read more about importing animals.