Global luxury group, Kering, has described python as "le dernier cri in high fashion" and has maximised its access to ethically raised skins by building its own python farm in Thailand. The parent of brands including Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen and others has risen to meet retail demand in a way which it hopes respects the "need for greater transparency or better traceability, the assurance of sustainability and the conservation of pythons in the wild."

Global luxury group, Kering, has described python as "le dernier cri in high fashion" and has maximised its access to ethically raised skins by building its own python farm in Thailand. The parent of brands including Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen and others has risen to meet retail demand in a way which it hopes respects the "need for greater transparency or better traceability, the assurance of sustainability and the conservation of pythons in the wild."

But retailers importing furs, skins and leathers into the UK need to do more than assure their customers that they are sourcing their materials ethically. Under UK law, commercial imports of fur and skin from certain categories of animal are banned – including cats and dogs and endangered animals such as baby harp seal. The furs of animals caught in leg-hold traps are also subject to strict import regulation.

Python, however, does not fall within a protected category and commercial imports of this precious skin — being classified as a product of animal origin ("POAO") — are subject to EU legislation and the general rules on POAO imports as provided by the UK Government:

  • "If you are moving POAO within the EU, you need to meet any relevant health certification and product-marking requirements specific to each type of product and which are standardised across the EU."
  • "When you import POAO from non-EU countries, your goods will be checked at the point of entry into the UK at Border Inspection Posts. You will have to ensure that the relevant paperwork has been completed in order for Customs to clear the goods. Goods must be certified by recognised authorities in the originating countries — these countries are approved on an EU-wide basis."
  • Fees must also be paid before goods will pass customs and be permitted into the country. The import rules are applied strictly and failure to meet them may result in goods being turned away at the border or destroyed. Either way — release into and circulation within the UK will be prohibited and extra costs of re-export and/or wastage will be incurred.