Export Certificates

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What is an Export Certificate?

Businesses exporting food outwith the UK may require an export certificate. These certificates verify that the business complies with relevant food legislation.

Since EU Exit, export certificates are required for the export of product of animal origin to the EU.

Conditions for Issue of Export Certificates

Export certificates can only be issued to businesses which are registered with this Service and have undergone a food law inspection.

Evidence will require to be provided to support any attestations made on the export certificate. This will often be in the form of documentary evidence, including photographs, however, consignments may also be subject to physical checks to verify the accuracy of the information.

Export certificates cannot be issued for consignments which have already left Glasgow.

Certain consignments of products of animal origin can only be certified by an official veterinarian (OV) and therefore these cannot be issued by Glasgow City Council. This includes meat products and dairy products.  The gov.uk website includes a list of professionals who can certify an export certificate, this includes details of OVs and may be of assistance where your consignment cannot by certified by this Service.

How Do I Apply?

If you have not recently requested an export certificate from this Service, please contact us at ehdutyofficer@glasgow.gov.uk to discuss your proposal prior to making any application. This will allow us to determine if we are able to issue a certificate for the proposed consignment(s) and advise you of any additional information which may be required to allow us to do so.

The format of the certificate and information required will depend on the product being exported and the requirements of the importing country. The Consulate or Embassy of the importing country should be able to supply you with the information relating to the requirements for import.

For export of products of animal origin to certain countries, a specific certificate requires to be used. This can be checked on the 'find an export health certificate' section on the gov.uk website.

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

Once you have confirmed the importing country requirements an application form can be obtained by emailing ehdutyofficer@glasgow.gov.uk and les-fsadmin@glasgow.gov.uk.  The Service requires at least one working days notice before the certificate is required. We recognise that, in the case of live fish or shellfish, final weights may not be known until the day of dispatch. In such cases we would request the form be completed with all other information and final weights provided as soon as these are known.

Please note that where a specific certificate exists on the gov.uk website, an application will also require to be made for this via the Export Health Certificate Online system to ensure this is made available to the certifying officer.

Issuing of Export Certificates

Export Certificates can be collected from Eastgate, 727 London Road, Glasgow G40 3AQ. Alternatively they can be posted to an address of your choice in the UK.

Where a physical check has been carried out on the consignment, the certificate will generally be issued at the time of inspection.

Certificates can be issued Monday-Friday. We are unable to provide a Service at evenings, weekends, public holidays or between Christmas and New Year. If you require certificates during such times, it is possible an official veterinarian may be able to assist. The gov.uk website includes a list of professionals who can certify an export certificate, which includes details of OVs and may be of assistance where your consignment cannot by certified by this Service.

Support Attestations

Where product from a Glasgow business is included within a consignment to be certified at another establishment,  the certifying officer may require a support attestation from Glasgow City Council. This is often the case for product exported via a hub and is in accordance with DEFRA guidance

Support attestations can only be issued to approved fishery products establishments and dispatch centres for which Glasgow City Council is the enforcing authority.

Should you require a support attestation please contact your inspecting officer or ehdutyofficer@glasgow.gov.uk.

How much does an Export Certificate Cost?

For a list of current charges please see our Book of Charges.