Equine animals not intended for slaughter to the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8431
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-29)

Apply online for an export health certificate (EHC) to export equine animals, such as horses or donkeys, not intended for slaughter from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to the EU or move them to Northern Ireland.

You cannot export cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or horses for fattening and slaughter. This applies to journeys from or through Great Britain to anywhere outside the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man. You can still export live cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or horses for other purposes. For example, for breeding and competitions.

Apply for an export health certificate online

If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales, you must apply for an export health certificate (EHC) using the online service to export equine animals to the EU or to move them to Northern Ireland.

If you’re in Northern Ireland, you do not need an EHC to export to the EU. Contact DAERA on xx-xxxx-xxxx to find out what you need to do.

1. Check what you need for your export

Find out about the requirements for export in the following documents:
- guidance notes (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/690355bccc6b3272b3913136/8431NFG_Oct25_v13.pdf)
- specimen certificate (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6900e7de84b816d72cb9aaa6/8431_EN_V5_Specimen.pdf)
- OV supportive declaration for export of equine animal to the EU (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66bf2cfda44f1c4c23e5bd19/OV_supportive_declaration_for_export_of_equine_animal_to_the_EU.pdf)
2. Apply online

You’ll need:
- a Government Gateway account
- a Defra account
If you don’t already have them you’ll need to register for these accounts (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-register-for-export-health-certificate-ehc-online), and so will your official vet or inspector (http://apha.defra.gov.uk/official-vets/Guidance/exports/ehc-online.htm).

Start now (https://exporter.apply-export-health-certificate.service.gov.uk/forms/8431EHC)

Registration takes around 5 minutes. Official vets and inspectors will also need to have their registration checked by APHA.

Register and sign in as an official vet or inspector (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/certify-an-export-health-certificate).

Read the accessibility statement for this service (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accessibility-statement-for-export-health-certificates-online).

Applying online means you can:
- see the status of your applications
- always use the latest version of the EHC
- copy existing applications
- apply for multiple certificates
Find out more

Stay up to date with any changes to EHCs by signing up for email alerts (https://www.gov.uk/export-health-certificates/email-signup).

Find out about getting an EHC (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-an-export-health-certificate).

Find out about exporting live animals and animal products (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exporting-animals-animal-products-fish-and-fishery-products-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-with-no-deal) from 1 January 2021.

Help with your application

In England, Scotland and Wales, call APHA on xx-xxxx-xxxx.

In Northern Ireland, call DAERA on xx-xxxx-xxxx.

Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges).