1. What is an Export Heath Certificate (EHC)?
An EHC is an official document that confirms your export meets the health requirements of the destination country. For further information: Guidance – Get an
Are EHCs required for transit shipments through the EU, and if so, what type of EHC is required?
Yes. You will need an EHC to transit to the EU. A number of transit EHC’s are available to be used for some commodities. If
Can I bulk certify for an EHC?
No, you will need a separate EHC for each consignment you export. However, for groupage, a Groupage Export Facilitation Scheme (GEFS) has been established to
Can multiple commodity codes be included on one EHC?
Yes, multiple commodity codes can be added to one EHC, as far as the definition of the product falls within the scope of the certificate.
Do EHCs need to be in language of destination country?
Yes—in the language of the BCP of entry and the destination. The destination is the address on the certificate. You may also need an EHC
Do I need an EHC to export POAO to the EU? What about samples? And what if there is no EHC for my commodity?
Yes. You must include a completed export health certificate (EHC) for each type of animal or animal product you export from the UK to a
Do we need an EHC for products that were produced in the EU already?
Yes. Please refer to the export certificates at: https://www.gov.uk/export-health-certificates
Do we need multiple hard copies of an EHC if transiting through several countries?
You will need one original EHC at the first BCP entry. At the BCP you will be provided with a CHED (Common Health Entry Document).
Does the Health Certificate travel with the consignment?
Yes, for animal and animal-related products imported into GB, the EHC should travel with the consignment, and for plants and plant products the Phytosanitary Certificate
For Dairy EHCs what does category A, B or C refer to?
The categories refer to the risk posed from foot and mouth disease and the heat treatments necessary to products in each category to eradicate the
How do I complete part 1 of the EU’s new EHCs for products of an animal origin (POAO) and live animals?
OVs should use the following guidance when they complete part I of EHCs: For products of animal origin and live animals:For pre-Animal Health Regulations (AHR)
How do I obtain an EHC if the goods I export do not go through GB but we (the GB company) are the exporter?
If the product is of EU origin and does not enter GB, then no EHC will be required.
How do you add the container and seal number to the EHC after it’s been submitted?
The container or seal number can be added at the point of certification. The original certificate which has been stamped and signed will need to
How does the new EHC online sytem work?
On 21 August 2020, the UK Government launched ‘EHC Online’, a digital service which allows exporters and Certifiers to apply for and certify Export Health
How long does the process take from submitting an EHC to the OV conducting an inspection
APHA will send your EHC to your official vet or inspector, or let them know it is ready to download and print if they are
How much is it going to cost exporters to get a vet to sign off their EHCs?
EHCs are certified by either an Official Veterinarian (OV) or in some cases a Food Competent Certifying Officers (FCCOs), usually Environmental Health Officer (EHO). Certificates
If exporting a mixed consignment, do I need different EHCs?
YES- If you are exporting a consignment, which includes a mix of products, you will need an EHC for each product type. You may also
If products going to a despatch depot for a retailer, who will be responsible for providing the certificate?
The last place of consolidation (the loading of the consignment), will be responsible for providing the certificate.
If the export date of the shipment changes due to any reason,is there a way to edit the online EHC to reflect this after you’ve submitted the EHC?
Once an application is submitted by the applicant the export date is used to generate the EHC and it will be sent to the certifier.
If there is a mistake on the EHC how we can amend it once the trailer left has the UK?
Unfortunately, you cannot amend. If you did need to change to the EHC please contact APHA to see what options are available before arriving at
If we produce at one location and consolidate stock at another location before exporting, is the OV inspection needed at both locations and at the last location before exporting?
Both locations. Certifying Officers must satisfy themselves that all aspects of EU compliance are in place and this includes sourcing ingredients, processing, packaging and storage.
If you have two companies in GB, one ships their products to the other for consolidation and export, who is responsible for providing the certificate?
The last place of consolidation (the loading of the consignment), will be responsible for providing the certificate.
Is there a checklist for choosing a certifying officer OV for approving export
The person is authorised by APHA as an OV to perform statutory veterinary work in GB The person’s OCQ(V) is appropriate to the statutory veterinary
Is there a way of creating an Export Health Certificate for Multiple Destinations
The possible procedures for certifying an Export Health Certificate for a consignment with multiple destinations within the EU. In the situation where a consignment has
We are trading company who buy products in the UK and then send to customers in Europe. Are we classed as the exporter when entering on the certificate?
Yes. Please refer to box 1.1 in the further guidance notesbelow:https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32019R0628&qid=1598455332337