The process of exporting products of animal origin (POAO) from the UK may appear quite daunting at first, but at Amivet Exports, we have a wealth of experience to help guide and support you through this process.
When exporting for the first time there is extra work to be done, so early preparation and communication are key to a smooth and successful outcome. Subsequent exports are often simpler, but with export and import requirements constantly being updated, and the whole process being time-critical, it is important to get in touch early to avoid potentially costly delays.
How to prepare your goods for export
When exporting animal derived goods from Great Britain to the EU or Northern Ireland, all establishments in the supply chain may need to be approved by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) or Local Authority.
Health and identification marks must be applied to the product/packaging, specifying the country of origin as GB or United Kingdom. Further information can be found here.
Some products and countries have specific labelling requirements including origin, importer, health and/or ID marks and so on, so it is important to check before proceeding with the export.
When exporting to countries other than those in the EU and Northern Ireland, different requirements may apply, so check with the destination country regarding the specific product you intend to export.
In order to certify products for export, the Official Veterinarian (OV) may require evidence from throughout the production process, including HACCP plans, temperature records, veterinary attestations and disease freedom checks, so it is important to have these documents in place before beginning the export application process. Requirements vary depending on product and country of destination and may include import documents too. There is a lot of preparation involved in product export, so get in touch with us at Amivet Exports early, so that we can help you.
Step by step guide to the export of animal derived goods from the UK
Export Health Certificates (EHC’s) are required for most exports involving animal derived goods. The exact details required for each EHC vary, but the application process is fairly standard.
1. Product made or packaged by supplier
2. Exporter applies for Export Health Certificate (EHC) from APHA
3. APHA process the EHC application and issues it by post or onto ECHO (the Export Health Certification Online system)
4. The Official Veterinarian (OV) who will ultimately complete the certification, can view the EHC and will carry out the following as appropriate:
o Check supporting documents
o Check for certificate duplication
o Carry out a site visit
5. OV conducts a visual product check
6. The certificate is completed, signed, stamped and scanned
7. The scanned certificate is sent to the exporter and the OV offices, while the original EHC goes with the driver of the consignment.
8. The importer must pre-notify the Border Control Post (BCP) of entry by completing the CHED (Common Health Entry Document) prior to the load arriving at the BCP.
9. Once confirmation is received from customs, all completed documents are uploaded to your client folder.
EHCs cannot be signed once the goods have been dispatched from the UK, so it is important to speak to your Official Veterinarian (OV) to discuss the timescale for certification and when to apply for the EHC.
The importer must complete the CHED before the consignment arrives at the border control post or your load will be turned away. The BCP must also specifically be listed to accept the commodity that you are shipping – not every BCP can accept every consignment – so check before starting the export application process as the point of entry cannot be changed once the EHC is signed.
How to apply for an EHC
Before applying for an EHC, be clear which certificate(s) is/are required, as more than one certificate may be required for a single product. There are over 2000 different EHCs available, but our easy-to-use EHC finder can help you find the right certificate(s) for your goods. The supporting information required for each certificate to be completed can also be found here.
If you are exporting to countries outside the EU, our interactive world export map can help you identify which certificate(s) you need and whether further actions, such as heat treatment of the products, are required. If you are in any doubt, get in touch with us at Amivet Exports to discuss your requirements before applying.
When you are ready to apply, register on the government EHCO system using Government Gateway and your DEFRA account.
Apply for the required Export Health Certificate (EHC), filling in each section of the application as completely as possible. When detailing where the export is going to, add both the point of entry to the EU and the destination country, even if these are both the same country. In the case of exports that will pass through another country on the way, detail only the country of entry to the EU and the destination.
Supporting documents, such as production records, can be added to your application, so that APHA and your certifying OV can view them. Submit your application which, once approved by APHA, will allow the EHC to be sent to your OV.
What is the Export Clearance Process?
Export clearance is the process of declaring goods for export and gaining permission for their movement across a border, in this case exporting from the UK.
An EORI (Economic Operator Registration and ID) is necessary for this process and other documents may be required, including safety and security declarations, your commercial invoice, packing list and certificates of origin.
You can choose to manage this process yourself by following UK government advice or may prefer to use a customs agent or transporter to assist with this process.
For any export to be successful, all aspects of the process require forward planning and attention to detail. Amivet Exports have the experience to guide you through this process, whether you are new to product export or not, so check out our top tips for EHC applications and get in touch early to discuss your requirements.
Written by Andrew Iveson on and tagged in ehc, Export, export health certificate, .