These questions only deal with Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) and Bumble Bees.
What can I import from the EU?Queen Bees with up to 20 attendants.
Bumble Bees
What can’t I import from the EU?Packages/Nucleus/Full Colony
Who must I notify if I want to import queens?All imports must be notified via the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed Service, (IPAFFS),
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-of-products-animals-food-and-feed-systemWhich Commodity Code should I use?01064100
What information do I need to provide to the exporter?The IPAFFS system issues a Unique Reference Number which should be included on the Health Certificate issued by the exporting country.
What Certification is required?You must ensure that each consignment is accompanied by a health certificate which has been obtained from the relevant competent authority. A copy of this certificate needs to be uploaded to the IPAFFS system prior to the import. Model certificates can be downloaded from
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bees-health-certificatesDo my Queens have to come into the country through a specific port of entry?Until 2023 imports of bees do not need to come through an approved Border Control Post.
From 2023 all live animal imports must enter via a Border Control Post approved to accept that commodity. Currently Heathrow and Manchester airports are approved to accept invertebrates.
What happens if my documentation / certificate is missing or incorrect?If any import is found to be non-compliant it will either be returned to the country of origin or destroyed. This also applies if an import fails to enter through a BCP from 2023.
My imports were previously occasionally checked by a Bee Inspector so will this continue?Yes, Bee Inspectors will continue to carry out risk-based checks at the place of import using the address provided in the IPAFFS notification process. If contacted by an Inspector, you must hold the consignment until it is released by the Inspector.
Can I use the queen cage provided by the exporter to introduce my Queens?No, upon receipt the queen must be transferred to a new cage.
Send the original cages, attendant worker bees and other material that accompanied the queen bees from their country of origin to
In England and Wales: RM 02G06 Fera Science Ltd York Biotech Campus, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ
In Scotland: Bee Health – Imports, SASA, Roddinglaw Road, Edinburgh, EH12 9FJ
within 5 days of receipt for examination for the presence of notifiable pests and diseases. Please include your name, address, contact number and the IPAFFS - Unique Reference Number with the parcel. Please ensure they are suitably packed for the postal service.
Do the attendant bees need to be dead before I send them to be checked?No, upon receipt your parcel will be frozen. Please ensure that they are securely packed and cannot escape.
Is there a charge for this service?There are currently no charges for post import checks.
When Bees arrive through a Border Control Post (BCP) then the costs of the checks carried out on imports of live animals from third countries are recovered from the importer under the provisions of the official control regulations. To find out how much the BCP checks cost, you should contact the relevant BCP. Contact details of the BCP can be found at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-border-control-posts-animal-and-animal-product-imports/live-animals-animal-products-and-food-and-feed-of-non-animal-origin-border-control-posts-bcp-in-the-uk