Imported Equine

UK Equine Law requires all imported horses to be registered with a UK Equine Passporting Issuing Office (PIO) within 30 days of arrival In the UK. Failure to do so is an offence.

IMHPS will register the imported horse data in the relevant IMHPS Studbook, register your new ownership of the horse, and fully update the passport with the new owner’s details, certify the horse’s identity is verified, and Overstamp the Passport as UK registered.

All the necessary data is uploaded to the DEFRA Central Equine Database (CED).

Overstamp Form

Passport Application

How to register your imported horse (from a country with passports)

An overstamp form will need to be completed. Download the form here or contact the Passport Office Registrar@imhps.com to request a hard copy.

The overstamp form and passport must be posted to the office for registration to be completed.

How to register your imported horse (from a country without passports)

You will need to complete a passport application form. Download the form here or contact the Passport Office Registrar@imhps.com to request a hard copy. A registered veterinarian will need to complete the passport silhouette and description page.

Please include a copy of the certified pedigree from the country of origin, only approved pedigrees will be included.

Cost

Overstamp costs £25 per passport for non-members or £15 for members.

Passport costs £30 per passport for non-members, or £25 for members.

We return all passports by Second Class Signed For delivery.

Processing Time

Upon receipt of the overstamp application, the IMHPS team will complete the overstamp within 10 working days.

Upon receipt of the passport application, the IMHPS team will complete the passport application within 15 working days.

Please be aware that incorrect paperwork and missing payments will cause delays.

Express Service

You can fast-track (Completed & posted within five working days) the passport application for £25.00 per passport. However, if your paperwork is incomplete/incorrect there will be delays. Additionally, all fast-track applications must be paid by bank transfers, cheques are not accepted for fast-track applications.