Get and use barcode labels for your holding
What cattle keepers must do with the barcode labels sent by the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) and how to get more if you run out.
Applies to England and Wales
You’re sent barcode labels when you register as a cattle keeper with BCMS. They’re also called holding address labels.
They allow BCMS to identify your county parish holding (CPH) number and include your name and address.
Where to use barcode labels
Stick a label in the ‘to be completed by keeper on receipt of passport’ section when:
- you receive a cattle passport
- cattle move onto your holding
Stick a barcode label in the ‘death details’ section and return the passport to BCMS when you:
If you have older chequebook-style passports
You will need to stick a barcode label in movement cards.
Get more barcode labels
You can only request more barcode labels if you’ve registered as a cattle keeper with BCMS.
Contact BCMS to get more barcode labels for free. You’ll need to give your CPH number.
British Cattle Movement Service
Telephone (England): 0345 050 1234
Telephone (Wales): 0345 050 3456
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Email: [email protected]
If you prefer, you can send BCMS a message in your Cattle Tracing System (CTS) Online account.
What else you must do
There are other rules and actions you must take if you keep cattle, bison or buffalo. Read the guidance on what you must do when moving cattle and the other cattle keeping rules.
Updates to this page
Published 6 May 2014Last updated 28 June 2023 + show all updates
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Added translation
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Clarified where to use barcode labels and what they’re used for. Added where to get more information on the rules and actions you must take if you keep cattle, bison or buffalo.
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This guidance has been updated to show it no longer applies to Scotland.
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Updated option for requesting barcodes using the automated service
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First published.