Poultry imports from Chile, UK and USA: authorized zones 2026

Key data

Spanish and European importers of poultry products from Chile, United Kingdom and United States face an immediately applicable regulatory change. The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/814, in force since 1 April 2026, updates the geographic zones from which entry of these products into the European Union is authorized, as a consequence of the evolution of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in those three countries.

The regulation amends annexes V and XIV of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, which is the reference framework regulating which countries, territories and specific zones can export poultry and its products to the EU. This is not a total blockade of any of the three countries, but rather a zone-by-zone update based on the principle of regionalization.

What does this regulation establish?

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/814 applies the principle of sanitary regionalization: instead of prohibiting all exports from a country when an avian influenza outbreak is detected, the EU identifies the specific affected zones and restricts only those, maintaining or rehabilitating access for the rest of the territory.

The specific changes introduced by this regulation are:

• Update of entries corresponding to Chile in annexes V and XIV of Regulation (EU) 2021/404, modifying the authorized zones for the export of live poultry, reproductive products and fresh meat.
• Update of entries corresponding to the United Kingdom in the same annexes, reflecting the current situation of HPAI outbreaks in its territory.
• Update of entries corresponding to United States, with restrictions or rehabilitations of specific zones according to the evolution of the disease.

The products affected by these zoning changes are:

The regulation is directly applicable throughout the EU from its entry into force, without the need for national transposition.

Economic and operational impact

The main impact for importing companies is operational and immediate: any shipment arriving at the border from a zone that has become restricted by this update will be rejected, with the associated logistics, storage and return costs.

The specific economic risks for importers include:

• Rejection of shipments at the border if the supplier operates from a zone that has become restricted.
• Administrative sanctions for non-compliance with sanitary import regulations.
• Costs of return or destruction of goods rejected at the EU entry point.
• Supply disruption if alternative suppliers in enabled zones are not identified with sufficient advance notice.

On the other hand, the regulation can also create opportunities: if a zone that was restricted becomes rehabilitated, importers who worked with suppliers in that zone can resume operations that were blocked.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish and European importers of live poultry, fertile eggs and poultry meat from Chile, United Kingdom or USA.
• Agri-food distribution companies that work with suppliers in these three countries.
• Logistics operators and customs agents that manage the clearance of these goods at the border.
• Meat industry and poultry processing operators that use imported raw materials from these origins.
• Poultry production companies that import genetic material or fertile eggs for reproduction from these countries.

Practical example

A Spanish importing company that regularly purchases fresh chicken meat from the United States has active contracts with a supplier located in a specific region of the country. Until 31 March 2026, that zone was authorized in annex XIV of Regulation (EU) 2021/404.

With the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2026/814 on 1 April 2026, that zone may have become restricted as a result of a new highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak detected in the region. If the company does not verify the updated status of the zone before the shipment arrives at the border, the cargo may be rejected at the EU entry point, generating return costs, storage and possible sanctions, in addition to the loss of the value of the goods.

The solution is to verify, before each operation, that the supplier's zone of origin is listed as enabled in the current version of annexes V and XIV of Regulation (EU) 2021/404, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2026/814.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the updated annexes V and XIV of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, in its version amended by Regulation (EU) 2026/814, to identify which zones in Chile, United Kingdom and USA are currently enabled.
2. Verify the zone of origin of each active supplier in these three countries and check if it remains on the list of authorized zones.
3. Communicate with affected suppliers to confirm their situation and, if their zone has become restricted, identify alternatives in enabled zones before placing new orders.
4. Review ongoing contracts and orders to detect shipments that may be in transit or pending clearance from zones now restricted and take action in advance.
5. Establish a procedure for periodic verification of authorized zones, given that these lists are updated frequently according to the evolution of avian influenza outbreaks.
6. Inform the logistics and customs team about the changes so they apply the necessary controls before each import.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202600814