Ministerial Decree No. 41/2025 regulating importation and transit of animals, animal products and animal-related articles.

This Ministerial Order establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework governing the importation and transit of animals, animal products, and related articles into Timor‑Leste, with the overarching objective of preventing the introduction and spread of animal diseases within the national territory. To safeguard animal health, public veterinary health, and food security, the Order operationalizes the provisions of Decree‑Law No. 41/2023 by defining procedural and technical requirements for import controls, including mandatory import authorizations, veterinary or sanitary certification, pre‑export inspection, and compliance with international standards such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (OMSA) codes. It also mandates the creation and maintenance of official lists of notifiable terrestrial and aquatic diseases and empowers the Quarantine and Biosafety Unit (UQB) to restrict imports based on risk assessments, including prohibiting certain species and products when warranted. In addition to establishing risk‑based import controls, the Ministerial Order aims to ensure effective quarantine, biosurveillance, and border inspection procedures by detailing the responsibilities of the UQB, defining designated entry points, regulating quarantine stations, and specifying inspection methods, sampling procedures, and requirements for post‑entry monitoring. It introduces a structured system for transit authorizations, outlines actions to be taken in cases of non‑compliance—such as detention, treatment, re‑export, or destruction—and mandates transparency through publication of import requirements and risk information. The Order also sets out extensive documentation procedures, standardized forms, and a national import database to ensure traceability and regulatory enforcement. By harmonizing national procedures with ASEAN commitments and international health standards, the Order seeks to facilitate safe trade while maintaining a high level of biosecurity for Timor‑Leste