Export Health Certificate (EHC) — health certificate for food exports from the UK

What is an EHC and when is it required for exports from the UK to the EU/Poland?

An Export Health Certificate (EHC) is an official health document issued by an authorised Official Veterinarian (OV) or an inspector acting on behalf of APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency). The certificate confirms that the food or products of animal origin being exported meet the health and veterinary standards required by the destination country or region — including the European Union. Each product type and each destination country requires a separate EHC template accepted by both parties.

Since Brexit, the United Kingdom has become a third country in relation to the EU. This means that food exporters from the UK must now meet the same requirements as exporters from any other non-EU country. Previously — as a member of the internal market — the UK did not require EHCs for trade with EU member states, including Poland. From 1 January 2021, every consignment of products of animal origin from the UK to the EU must be accompanied by a valid EHC. Without this document, the goods will be stopped or rejected at the EU Border Inspection Post (BIP/CHED).

An EHC is required for exports from the UK to, among others: all 27 EU member states (including Poland), Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and many other non-EU countries. The Polish Veterinary Inspectorate (subordinate to the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate) checks the EHC on every import of animal products from the UK. Source: gov.uk/guidance/get-an-export-health-certificate.

EHC and Brexit — the change from 2021

Before 31 January 2020, the United Kingdom participated in the EU single market. Trade in food within the EU required no health certificates — goods could move freely between member states. After Brexit, the UK became a third country and had to build an export health certification system from scratch. APHA introduced the EHCO system (Export Health Certificates Online) — a digital platform for applying for and issuing EHC certificates. For Polish importers of food from the UK, this means that every consignment must be checked for a valid EHC before loading — the absence of the document at the EU border results in the entire shipment being stopped.

Which products require an EHC — animal and plant food

Not all food products require an EHC when exported from the UK to the EU. The obligation applies primarily to products of animal origin and certain composite products containing animal ingredients. Below we set out the product categories and their EHC requirement status.

Products requiring an EHC — list of categories

In accordance with gov.uk guidance, an EHC is required for the following categories of products exported from the UK to the EU:

• Red meat — beef, pork, lamb, game; fresh, chilled and frozen meat; minced meat and offal
• Poultry and poultry products — fresh and processed poultry meat, including turkey, duck, goose
• Dairy products — milk, butter, cheese, cream, yoghurt, milk powder
• Fish and seafood — fresh and processed fish, molluscs, crustaceans, prawns
• Eggs and egg products — table eggs, liquid whole egg, dried egg
• Honey and apiculture products — honey, beeswax, royal jelly, propolis
• Composite products — products containing both animal and plant ingredients, e.g. sandwiches with meat, ready meals containing dairy or meat
• Gelatine and collagen — intended for human consumption or animal feed
• Pet food — cat and dog food containing meat or animal products
• Live animals and germinal products — live breeding animals, embryos, semen intended for reproduction

Products not requiring an EHC — but which may require other documents

Plant products (fresh fruit, vegetables, potted plants) do not require an EHC, but may require a Phytosanitary Certificate issued by APHA or another authorised body. Unprocessed dry goods such as flour, sugar, tea, coffee, cocoa, pasta, and rice — generally require neither an EHC nor a phytosanitary certificate. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages — no EHC required. Vegetable oils — no EHC required. If in any doubt about a product's classification, always check the current list in the EHCO system or contact APHA. Polish importers should ask the British exporter to confirm the documentary status before placing an order. More on UK food labelling requirements can be found in a separate article.

Who issues an EHC — the Official Veterinarian and the inspection procedure

An Export Health Certificate may only be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) — a veterinarian holding official state authorisation granted by APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency). An OV is not an ordinary private vet — they must complete specialist training, pass examinations, and be registered by APHA as authorised to carry out export certification. For certain product categories (e.g. fish products, honey) the certificate may be issued by an authorised inspector other than a veterinarian, but that person must be officially designated by APHA.

The role of the Official Veterinarian in the certification process

The OV plays a key role in the EHC issuance process. Their duties include:

1. Inspection of the premises and product — the OV physically visits the production facility or warehouse and verifies that the product meets the health standards required by the destination country
2. Verification of documentation — the OV checks the documents accompanying the consignment: laboratory test results, veterinary health certificates for the animals, abattoir records, food processing establishment certificates
3. Signing the certificate in EHCO — following a successful inspection, the OV electronically signs the certificate in the EHCO system, giving it legal effect
4. Transmission to TRACES — the signed EHC is automatically sent to the EU TRACES NT system (Trade Control and Expert System), from where it is retrieved by the importing veterinary authority in Poland or another EU member state

APHA maintains the register of authorised OVs across the UK. To find an Official Veterinarian operating near the production facility, the exporter can contact APHA directly or seek help from a customs broker with an OV contact network. Source: gov.uk/government/organisations/animal-and-plant-health-agency.

The TRACES system — its role on the EU side

TRACES NT (Trade Control and Expert System — Next Technology) is the European Commission's IT system for registering and tracking the movement of animals and animal products across EU borders. Every EHC issued by an OV in the UK is transmitted electronically to the TRACES system, where the Polish Veterinary Inspectorate or the border customs authority can verify it. Importers in Poland should register in the TRACES system and link incoming consignments to the relevant EHCs. Details on registering imports of animals and plants are covered in the article on IPAFFS registration for animal and plant imports.

How to apply for an EHC — the EHCO system step by step

The EHCO system (Export Health Certificates Online) is the UK government's digital platform for applying for EHCs and issuing them electronically. The system is accessible via gov.uk. Below we describe the procedure step by step for a UK exporter sending animal products to Poland or another EU member state.

Step 1 — Register in the EHCO system

The exporter must register an account in the EHCO system on gov.uk. Registration requires a Government Gateway account. Once logged in, the exporter gains access to the catalogue of EHC templates for different products and destination countries. Important: each product type (e.g. beef, cheese, smoked fish) has its own certificate template approved by the importing country's authorities — for the EU, certificates must comply with EU import regulations.

Step 2 — Select the correct EHC template

In the EHCO system the exporter selects:

• Product category — e.g. red meat, poultry, dairy products, fish, composite products
• Destination country — for exports to Poland and other EU countries, certificate templates approved by the European Commission apply
• Intended use — whether the product is for human consumption, for pets, or for animal feed

Selecting an incorrect EHC template can result in the consignment being rejected at the EU border even if the product itself meets the health requirements. It is therefore always worth consulting a customs broker or APHA on template selection before submitting the application.

Step 3 — Complete the application and submit documents

The exporter completes the application form with consignment details: product description, quantity, HS code, production date and expiry date, details of the production establishment (approval number), exporter and importer details, planned export date and location, and the EU point of entry (Border Inspection Post). The application must be accompanied by documents required by the EHC template, e.g. laboratory test results, veterinary health certificates for the animals, establishment documents.

Step 4 — Inspection by the Official Veterinarian

After the application is submitted, APHA assigns an Official Veterinarian. The OV contacts the exporter to arrange the inspection. The inspection takes place at the production facility or loading point — the OV physically verifies the goods and documents. Following a successful inspection, the OV electronically signs the EHC in the EHCO system. The signed certificate is automatically available in the system and transmitted to TRACES NT.

Step 5 — Print and attach the EHC to the consignment

The exporter prints the signed EHC and attaches it to the consignment documents. The original signed copy (or a printout from the EHCO system with a reference number verifiable in TRACES) must physically accompany the consignment throughout the entire journey to the EU border. The lorry driver or freight agent must have the EHC available to present at the Border Inspection Post. More on border controls for imports into the UK can be found in the article on BTOM UK border controls.

Costs and timescales — how much does an EHC cost and how far in advance should you apply?

Obtaining an EHC involves costs and requires advance planning. UK food exporters should factor in the time and cost of an EHC when planning every consignment to the EU.

EHC costs — the component charges

The total cost of an EHC consists of the following elements:

• APHA administrative fee for the certificate — charged for processing the application and administrative handling in the EHCO system; rates are published by APHA and may be updated; each certificate is charged separately
• Official Veterinarian's fee for inspection and signing — the OV is an independent professional and sets their own rates; the cost depends on location, product complexity, and inspection time; the exporter should obtain a quote from the OV before submitting the application
• Additional laboratory testing costs — if the EHC template requires current test results (e.g. Salmonella testing, residue checks), the cost of testing is charged separately
• Costs for multi-product consignments — if a consignment contains products from different categories (e.g. both meat and cheese), each category requires a separate EHC and a separate fee

Source of APHA rates: gov.uk/guidance/get-an-export-health-certificate — check the current fees before submitting your application, as rates may change.

Timescales — how far in advance should you apply for an EHC?

UK food exporters should plan to obtain an EHC with a minimum of 2–5 working days' notice before the planned export date. In practice, applying even earlier is recommended — particularly for complex products or large consignments. The time needed to obtain an EHC depends on: the availability of an Official Veterinarian in the relevant part of the UK, the complexity of the product and the number of required documents, and whether additional laboratory tests are needed. Exporters who regularly send animal products to the EU should establish an ongoing relationship with a single OV — this significantly reduces the processing time for subsequent applications.

EHC and imports into Poland — what the Polish border authority checks

The Polish Veterinary Inspectorate (PIW) is subordinate to the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate (GIW) and is responsible for controlling imports of animal products from third countries, including the UK. Controls take place at Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) on the Polish border or at EU border crossings through which the transport passes.

The inspection procedure at the EU/Polish border

On arrival of a consignment of animal products from the UK at EU territory, the border authorities carry out:

1. Documentary check — verification of the completeness and authenticity of the EHC; comparison of the data in the EHC with the consignment documents (commercial invoice, packing list, CMR); verification in the TRACES NT system that the certificate is registered and valid
2. Identity check — verification that the goods match the description in the EHC; inspection of labels and markings; verification of the production establishment approval numbers
3. Physical check — spot organoleptic examination of the goods; taking samples for laboratory analysis (on selected consignments); temperature check for transport (cold chain)

The frequency and intensity of physical checks depends on the product category, the country of export, and the importer's compliance history. The Polish Veterinary Inspectorate applies the risk matrix set out in EU legislation. Details of border controls are covered in the article on CHED-P food controls at the UK border.

What the Polish veterinary service checks in the EHC

The Polish Veterinary Inspectorate verifies the following as part of its EHC check:

• Whether the certificate originates from an authorised OV (Official Veterinarian registered by APHA)
• Whether the UK production establishment appears on the EU list of approved establishments (EU approved establishments list)
• Whether the EHC issue date is still valid — EHCs have a defined period of validity depending on the product category and destination country
• Whether the product data (description, quantity, CN code, production date and expiry date) match the goods
• Whether the certificate corresponds to the required template for the product category being imported into the EU

If a discrepancy is detected, the Polish border authority may order: suspension of the consignment pending clarification, return of the consignment to the UK at the exporter's/importer's expense, or destruction of the goods if they pose a health risk. More on customs clearance for food exports from the UK: customs clearance for food exports from the UK.

The EU list of approved UK establishments

For a UK production establishment to export animal products to the EU, it must appear on the EU list of approved establishments from third countries. This list is maintained by the European Commission and is regularly updated. If a UK establishment does not appear on the list, an EHC may be issued, but the consignment will not be admitted to the EU market. Exporters should check their establishment's status before their first shipment to the EU. Listing requires an audit by the UK authorities and approval by the European Commission — the process takes several weeks to several months.

What the current official rules mean in practice

An Export Health Certificate (EHC) is a mandatory health document for exporting products of animal origin from the UK to the European Union — including Poland — since Brexit (January 2021). An EHC is issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) authorised by APHA. Applications are made through the EHCO system on gov.uk. The certificate is transmitted electronically to the EU TRACES NT system, where the Polish Veterinary Inspectorate verifies its authenticity. The absence of a valid EHC results in the consignment being stopped or rejected at the EU border. The UK production establishment must appear on the EU list of approved establishments from third countries. Exporters should apply for an EHC at least 2–5 working days in advance. This article reflects the legal position as at 2026-06-06. Please contact a customs broker before taking action.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Is an EHC required for all food products exported from the UK to Poland?

No — an EHC is not required for all food products. The obligation to hold an Export Health Certificate applies primarily to products of animal origin: meat, poultry, dairy, fish, eggs, honey, and composite products containing animal ingredients. Plant products may require separate phytosanitary documents (Phytosanitary Certificate). Exports of unprocessed plant food or dry goods (pasta, cocoa, tea) generally do not require an EHC. The full list of products requiring an EHC is available in the EHCO system on gov.uk or in APHA guidance. Source: gov.uk/guidance/get-an-export-health-certificate.

Who issues an Export Health Certificate in the UK — how do I find an Official Veterinarian?

An EHC is issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) or an inspector authorised by APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency). An OV is a veterinarian holding official state certification to certify food for export. To find an Official Veterinarian in your area, contact APHA (apha.gov.uk) or a local customs broker — brokers such as Easy Clearance often work with a network of OVs. The OV inspects the goods and signs the certificate in the EHCO system. Source: gov.uk/government/organisations/animal-and-plant-health-agency.

How long does it take to obtain an EHC and what does it cost?

The time required depends on the product type and the availability of an Official Veterinarian — as a rule, you should allow a minimum of 2–5 working days before the planned export date. Costs consist of: (1) the EHCO application fee charged by APHA, and (2) the OV's inspection and signing fee — rates are set individually by each OV. For consignments requiring multiple certificates (different product categories) a separate fee applies per certificate. Source: gov.uk/guidance/get-an-export-health-certificate.

What is the EHCO system and how do I apply for an EHC online?

EHCO (Export Health Certificates Online) is the UK government's digital system for applying for and electronically processing Export Health Certificates. To apply for an EHC: (1) create an account in the EHCO system on gov.uk, (2) select the certificate type matching the product being exported and the destination country (e.g. Poland/EU), (3) complete the consignment details and attach supporting documents, (4) APHA assigns an Official Veterinarian, (5) the OV carries out the inspection and signs the certificate electronically, (6) the certificate is transmitted to the EU TRACES system. Source: gov.uk/guidance/get-an-export-health-certificate.

What happens to a consignment at the EU border without a valid EHC?

A consignment of products of animal origin without a valid EHC will be stopped at the EU Border Inspection Post (BIP). Possible consequences: (1) refusal of entry into EU territory and an order to return to the UK, (2) destruction of the goods at the exporter's expense, (3) additional storage costs and border inspection fees. The Polish Veterinary Inspectorate checks the EHC on every delivery. Importing without an EHC is treated as a breach of EU veterinary regulations. Source: gov.uk/guidance/get-an-export-health-certificate.

Official sources

• Export health certificates — GOV.UK (APHA / DEFRA) — GOV.UK
• Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) — GOV.UK — GOV.UK