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GOODS ACROSS BORDERS

Taking feathers & plumage out of United Kingdom

STATUS · RESTRICTED

Feather export from United Kingdom depends on the species — most wild-bird feathers are protected under CITES or national bird laws; farmed and craft feathers move freely.

Details

Feathers of CITES-listed birds (all raptors, parrots, birds-of-paradise, and many others) require CITES export documentation from United Kingdom, and many countries additionally protect all native wild birds — in the US, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes possessing most wild-bird feathers unlawful regardless of how they were obtained. Farmed poultry, ostrich, and peacock feathers sold as craft materials move freely at personal quantities. Destination biosecurity rules may require declaration of any feather material on arrival.

Quantity limits

Farmed/craft feathers personal quantities; protected-species feathers prohibited without permits

Documentation required

  • CITES documentation for listed species
  • Purchase receipt showing farmed origin

The other direction

INBOUND

Bringing feathers & plumage into United Kingdom(restricted)

Sources

VERIFIED · 2026-07-25Report a correction
RULES5,339COUNTRIES85ITEMS111CARRIERS28GUIDES46UNIQUE SOURCES645LATEST VERIFICATION2026-07-26MethodologyChangelog