Can I import feathers, fur or wool from China?
Possibly, but establish the species, treatment and destination before ordering. Ask the relevant authority to confirm the animal-health route and paperwork, and assess CITES separately before dispatch. For help collecting factory specifications and treatment records, contact Cambridge China Bridge.
Identify the material behind the sales name
Ask for the common and scientific species names, photographs, animal origin and processing history. Separate loose feathers, feathers attached to skin, loose animal hair, fur on skin and untreated fleece. Describe whether you will sell the material, make craft products or tie fishing flies.
Request batch records showing what washing, drying, tanning or other treatment was actually performed, where and by whom. A description such as “cleaned”, “dyed” or “craft grade” gives you too little information for an authority enquiry. Our import licence guide covers the wider restriction checks.
Match the treatment to the animal-health enquiry
For feathers, obtain a documented treatment proposal before ordering and do not arrange dispatch of untreated stock. Ask APHA to assess the proposed process against its feather guidance. For the route covering other treated feathers, rather than the private-use provisions, that guidance requires pre-notification and veterinary checks.
For untreated wool and hair, APHA guidance requires production in an establishment approved to export to Great Britain. Ask which origin conditions and destination arrangements apply to your batch. For fur, explain whether skin remains attached and submit the treatment records; ask which guidance covers that exact form.
Resolve the paperwork with the authority
For a Great Britain delivery, contact APHA’s imports team with the species, material form, animal origin, Chinese processing site, treatment evidence, intended use and receiving address. Ask which current import conditions apply, whether the proposed origin and establishment qualify, and whether direct delivery to your craft workshop is suitable. Identify Northern Ireland explicitly if that is the destination.
Ask for the applicable document route: health certificate, commercial document, importer declaration or other permission. Confirm the required wording, issuer, signatures, accompanying originals, pre-notification and entry arrangements where applicable. Turn the reply into a checklist for the factory and your customs agent; keep it with the customs clearance documents.
Assess CITES independently
CITES guidance defines a specimen to include animal parts, derivatives and items made from them. Make a separate species enquiry even when treatment evidence is satisfactory. Give APHA’s wildlife licensing team the scientific name, photographs, source history, material form and intended commercial use.
Ask whether listing, import restrictions, permits or notifications affect the proposed shipment, and establish the documents and route before releasing it. Keep the CITES conclusion separate from the animal-health conclusion. Our CITES permit guide helps with the wider wildlife assessment.
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Approve the actual batch before dispatch
Compare the material with the species identification, treatment records and authority correspondence. Check that mixed craft packs identify every animal material. Resolve substitutions, unidentified feathers, missing treatment records or changed receiving premises before approving dispatch, including when ordering samples.
Ask the factory to send photographs of the packed batch and copies of the agreed documents for review. Keep a written release decision naming the batch and the evidence checked. Cambridge China Bridge’s staff in China can help obtain factory information and compare it with your agreed purchasing checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import feathers for fly tying from China?
Establish the species and actual treatment first. Send APHA the specification and intended use, resolve the animal-health route and paperwork, and assess CITES separately before dispatch.
Are dyed feathers treated for import purposes?
Do not rely on the colour or the word “dyed”. Obtain the actual process records and ask APHA whether that treatment meets the applicable import conditions.
Can untreated wool go straight to my craft workshop?
Ask APHA to confirm the destination arrangements for your exact import route before ordering. Include your receiving premises and intended processing; do not assume ordinary parcel delivery is suitable.
Do animal-health documents cover CITES too?
Keep separate conclusions and document checklists. Ask APHA’s wildlife licensing team to assess the identified species and shipment even when the treatment records are satisfactory.