Food export health certificates and importing food

If your business exports food or drink out of the UK, particularly those of animal origin, then you may require a food export health certificate from your local authority. These certificates confirm that a specific business complies with all relevant legislation and the food produced is without risk to health.

Information required

Typical information required for the export certificate is as follows:

• manufacturer
• minimum durability
• storage conditions
• export approval number
• consignor
• consignee
• destination
• product
• quantity
• country of origin
• date of production
• packaging
• batch number (where appropriate).

You should note that it is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that the destination country's requirements are met.

How to apply

Once you have established the destination country's requirements you should provide us with this information. We will then contact you to arrange payment, and then we will prepare a certificate within five working days of payment.

Charges

Certificates cost £211.10 for new requests and if visits to your business are required, or £59.50 if this is a repeat request.

Ways to pay

By debit or credit card - we will contact you by phone to enable you to make a card payment.

By post - cheques should be made payable to Hammersmith & Fulham Council.

Further information

You should note that we will not supply a certificate unless you have registered your food business and we can assure the safety of any individual batch or consignment of food.

We may need to inspect your business to verify that the food is produced in compliance with UK legislation and may make additional checks, depending on the required wording of the certificate.

Imported foods

Foods imported into the UK may contain diseases which may harm animal health and public health. There are regulations in place to control importing, and the sale of imported food. If illegally imported foods are found at your business, officers may seize and destroy these. You may also be charged costs for disposal of the food and you could also face prosecution.

As a food business:

• you must know where your food comes from; during any inspection you must be able to identify the name and address of the supplier of any item
• you should keep contact names and addresses for all your suppliers
• you must ensure food traceability documents are available, such as invoices and receipts
• you must always use reputable suppliers and do not use suppliers who are unable to provide their contact details as well as an invoice or receipt

For further information on imported foods visit the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website.

EU Transition (Brexit) and your food business

To find out what changes apply use the checker tool for tailored advice, visit GOV.UK - transition.

The UK Government has produced a handy checklist that contains a list of actions to help you identify what your business needs to do.

Food labelling

Food labelling: giving food information to consumers - GOV.UK
Food and drink businesses: working with the EU

Health and identification marks

If you are an approved establishment, from the 1 January 2024 new health and identification marks must be used.

Guidance on health and identification marks that apply from 1 January 2024 | Food Standards Agency

Importing

The process for importing goods from the EU has changed. If you import goods from the EU to Great Britain are you prepared for the changes from 1 January 2021?

Businesses need to complete actions to continue importing from EU countries from 1 January 2021.

Importing animals, animal products and high-risk food and feed not of animal origin after EU Exit. Read the guidance on how to import animals and animal products from 1 January 2021.

If you're importing high-risk food and feed not of animal origin, ensure that those consignments enter the UK at a Border Control Post.

If importing from the rest of the world via the EU, make sure that those consignments enter the UK at a border control post or designated point of entry.

Importing fish

If importing most fish and fish products between the UK and EU, you will need a catch certificate. For guidance on how to import fish for human consumption visit gov.uk

Exporting to EU

The process for exporting goods to the EU is changing. Businesses need to complete actions to continue exporting to EU countries from 1 January 2021.

What you need to do to export or move live animals, products of animal origin and animal by-products from 1 January 2021

Exports to non-EU countries (third countries) from the UK

There's unlikely to be any change to the current export rules and processes for countries outside the EU. Make sure you check the existing guidance on exporting live animals or animal products.

Get an EORI number

You need an EORI number to move goods between Great Britain and non-EU countries from 1 January 2021. You may also need one if you move goods to or from Northern Ireland. If you do not have an EORI, you may have increased costs and delays. For example, if HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) cannot clear your goods you may have to pay storage fees.

You'll need an EORI number from an EU country if your business will be making declarations or getting a customs decision in the EU. Get this from the customs authority in the EU country where you submit your first declaration or request your first decision. If you use a post or parcel company, they'll tell you if you need an EORI number.

We would also recommend that you contact your suppliers, customers and partners. Contact your trade associations for advice, guidance and support.