Using TRACES to trade in animals and animal products

Introduction

If you trade internationally in animals and certain animal products, you need to follow particular animal health regulations. The Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) is a web-based system run by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection. It aims to make the paperwork for trading in animals and animal products easier by generating the necessary documents and sending copies to the appropriate authorities inland and abroad, saving traders time and effort. The system allows traders to obtain export health certificates and movement notifications of their dispatches. It helps the authorities to meet health regulations and traders' needs.

This guide is aimed at those who trade within the European Union (EU) and at importers who import from outside the EU. It provides details about what TRACES is and how to register.

For more information on animals and animal products see our guides on products of animal origin and overseas veterinary certificates and Border Inspection Posts.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• What TRACES does
• Registering for TRACES
• Using TRACES

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