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Importing & exporting

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General trade regulations to/from the UK, as well as those specific to the animal feed business

Trading pet food into and out of the UK involves strict regulations to ensure safety, quality, and traceability. Since Brexit, businesses must follow UK-specific rules covering animal by-products, labelling, and customs procedures.
Imports and exports may also require health certificates, tariffs and documentation, depending on the country involved. With careful compliance, the trade of pet food offers strong opportunities in a growing global market.

 

Useful links:

When importing food, you need to know about regulations that apply to specific products and more general rules concerning labelling and additives. Access to data and intelligence on imported food is also available:

Food Standards Agency: Imports and exports Imports Intelligence Hub
Gov.uk: Moving goods into and out of the UK Gov.uk: HMRC email updates, videos and webinars about importing and exporting Gov.uk: Tariffs & Commodity Codes Gov.uk: Tariffs on goods imported into the UK Gov.uk: Find a professional to certify export health certificates Gov.uk: Find an export health certificate

Businesses that export from GB may need export health certificates for many products

What is an Export Health Certificate (EHC)?

  1. EHCs are required for all products of animal origin and ABPs.
  2. More than one EHC may be required for some products.
  3. An EHC is required for each country the consignment is transiting. The EU is considered as one country but if the consignment was transiting the EU to reach a third country two EHCs will be required.
  4. Please check the content of the EHC to see if it is suitable for the product. Please note: there is not an EHC for every single product variety. You should choose the EHC where the conditions are most appropriate. You should check what your signing OV if you are unsure which to use.
    Find a professional to certify export health certificates - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
  5. Where a suitable certificate doesn’t currently exist, it is advised that you request your importing customer to contact the competent authority (Defra equivalent) of the EU country where your consignment is destined. They should then send you the necessary paperwork/licence they require in line with their national rules.

Find an Export Health Certificate

Find the export health certificate (EHC) and supporting documents you need to export Pet food or animal by-product:
Find latest EHC

You must nominate an official vet or local authority inspector to sign the certificate.
Find out more about getting an export health certificate.

If you cannot find the correct export health certificate, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).


Visit the gov.uk website, to find out more