Exporting food and drink
How to export food and drink
To export food or drink from the UK to another country Export documents may be required to travel with the food and drink. These documents come in two forms:
- Local Authority Export Endorsement Certificate
- Export Health Certificate (Products of Animal Origin & Composite Products)
The document certifies that the food or drink meets the importing requirements for the destination country.
To determine which type of certificate is required, you will need to check the requirements for each destination country.
Export Endorsement Certificates are issued by the Local Authority. Export Health Certificates are issued in the main by the Animal Plant Health Authority (APHA) but may be issued by the Local Authority for some food or drink items.
Further information in relation to who issues Export Health Certificates is available from the Food Standards Agency.
When do I need to apply for export documents?
You may need to ensure the relevant exportation documentation is obtained for any food or drink which is being exported to:
- Northern Ireland
- Countries within the EU
- Counties outside the EU
You will need to clarify the importing requirements for each product and destination.
Local Authority Export Endorsement Certificate
This certificate declares the food or drink has been produced on premises that have been inspected as part of this Department’s routine food hygiene inspection programme and that the premises at the time of the inspection complied with relevant food hygiene legislation.
Please note that the certificate doesn’t certify that the batch or consignment has been inspected or declared safe.
How much do certificates cost?
Local Authority Export Endorsement Certificate will cost £100 (inclusive of VAT) per certificate. Certificates will take up to 5 working days to be processed after receipt of the application form and payment and is dependent upon workload and other demands.
An expedited service is available for £178 (inclusive of VAT) per certificate. Certificates will be processed within 3 working days of receiving the application form and payment.
Please note it is the responsibility of the business to determine the entry requirements for each destination country before applying for an Export Endorsement Certificate. Derby City Council will not check export requirements as part of this service.
How to apply
Please ensure that all the information on the form is correct as any mistakes will require a new certificate to be issued at the above rates.
It is the business's responsibility to ensure the exporting requirements for each country have been met, this will not be checked by the Council.
When will I receive the certificate?
Certificates will be posted to your company address by second class post. Please allow at least working 3 days for delivery. When selecting an export date please allow time for certificate processing and delivery.
Export Health Certificate (Products of Animal Origin and Composite Products)
This certificate declares that the batch/consignment has been inspected and has been declared safe. This will require an officer to visit to inspect the premises and the batch/consignment. Businesses may also need to carry out analysis to show the food is safe, this will be down to each individual business to arrange and pay for.
How much do certificates cost?
Export Health Certificates will be charged at a rate of £82 per hour. Please note this does not include any fees relating to any analysis of the consignment.
Please note it is the responsibility of the business to determine the entry requirements for each destination country before applying for an Export Health Certificate. Derby City Council will not check export requirements as part of this service.
How to apply
All Export Health Certificates need to be applied for online through the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
For Export Health Certificates issued by the local authority (fishery products and some composite products) please contact the Food and Safety team on 01332 640779 or email foodandsafety.duty@derby.gov.uk to discuss your requirements before applying to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Further information
Further guidance on exporting food and drink can be found on the following websites: