Exporting cell-cultivated products from GB to non-EU countries

Find out whether the destination country requires an Export Health Certificate (EHC), other official certification, or if it does not require any government-issued certification.

If you need official certification, get the relevant certificate before you export. We issue EHCs under UK export certification arrangements. The specific requirements we certify relate to products made in GB, and these requirements can differ depending on the destination country. 

Find out what certification you need 

If the destination country requires official certification, contact the importing country’s central authority to find out their certification requirements. 

If you need an EHC, you should: 

• get the specific EHC requirements from the importing country’s central authority
• check whether they match any existing certification
• if not, ask APHA to draft a new certification (see ‘If an EHC does not yet exist for your product and destination country’ below) 

If you’re moving products within GB before export 

You may need supporting health attestations to get the necessary assurances if you move products from your production premises before dispatch. 

If an EHC does not yet exist for your product and destination country 

Contact APHA using the get help with animal and plant health service to provide the import requirements and request a new EHC.

You’ll usually need to complete a questionnaire showing the anticipated volume and value of your export trade to the destination. 

Drafting and agreeing EHCs with import authorities is complex and can take a long time. This process does not always result in your ability to trade, and outcomes are dependent on the country, commodity and import conditions provided.

Get more help 

Find general guidance on exporting food, drink and agricultural products from GB.

Related guidance and legislation

• general guidance on EHCs
• Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Title II, Chapter VII, Official Certification (Export certification)

Submit your export declarations to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) through the Customs Declaration System (CDS)

Read the full step-step guide: Export goods from the UK: step by step - GOV.UK

HMRC will check:

• your commodity codes: to get certainty over a commodity code, apply for an Advance Tariff Ruling (ATaR)
• the customs value of your goods
• the duties, rules and restrictions that apply in the destination country

Export procedure

You should: 

1. Check that you have a GB Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number. If you do not have one, apply to HMRC. You’ll need to provide your unique taxpayers reference (UTR); VAT number (if registered) and business details.  Approval takes up to 5 working days. If you’re using a customs agent, they may have their own EORI.
2. Open CDS account through Government Gateway, unless you’re using customs agent or customs software with integrated CDS.
3. Provide the following information: your commodity code (HS code), goods description, value and currency, weight and quantity, origin of goods, exporter and importer details, incoterms (such as EXW, FOB, DDP), transport details, and your EHC or other certification required by destination country. Incoterms are agreed between the seller and the buyer of the goods, and set out at which point the risks and costs of export shift from the seller to buyer.
4. Submit your export declaration. CDS will issue a Movement Reference Number (MRN), which is your unique shipment ID. You’ll need this for tracking, linking to port systems and proving export.
5. If required, enter your MRN into the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) to get a Goods Movement Reference. You’ll need this to board a ferry or train.

Present your goods for clearance at the point of departure.

You must maintain temperature controls during transport. Follow all UK legislative requirements, and check whether the destination country has additional requirements. 

You should:

• chill your products to the required internal temperature before export. Further guidance to support CCP businesses on this aspect is being developed and will be published during the sandbox programme.  
• maintain this temperature throughout the entire transport period
• use refrigerated transport vehicles or containers that are suitable for your goods
• monitor and record temperatures during transit
• check you meet the destination country’s cold chain requirements
• check whether you need to register with the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS), for example, when moving goods via ports using pre-lodgement models. GVMS links your customs declaration with transit documents and generates a Goods Movement Reference
• check whether the destination country can store your consignment at chilled or frozen temperatures, where this applies

Related legislation:

Regulation (EC) 852/2004, Chapter II, Article 3: temperature controls, general requirements and Article 5 HACCP

The Food Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (SSI 2006 No.3), Schedule 4

The Food Hygiene (Wales) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/31 (W.5)), Schedule 4

Make sure your labelling meets the destination country requirements.

You should:

• meet UK labelling requirements per Regulation (EU) 1169/2011
• include novel food-specific labelling, if your authorisation requires this
• follow the destination country’s requirements on labelling language, format and content
• use packaging that protects the integrity of your product throughout transport

Related guidance and legislation:

FSA Packaging and Labelling Guidance 

FSS Packaging and Labelling Business Guidance

Food (Scotland) Act 2015

Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 (Food Information to Consumers) 

The Food Information Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/1855) (England), the Food Information (Wales) Regulations 2014 (WSI 2014/2303 (W.227)), and the Food Information (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/312).

You should prepare a complete documentation package. This should include:

• an Export Health Certificate (EHC) or equivalent
• a commercial invoice and packing list
• traceability records, as required under Regulation (EC) 178/2002, Article 18
• HACCP documentation and production records
• temperature monitoring records for cold chain
• any additional documentation the destination country requires 

Related legislation:

Regulation (EC) 178/2002, Article 18 (Traceability) 

Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Article 87 (Official certificates)

When your consignment leaves GB, you should:

• send all required documentation with the consignment
• keep products at the correct temperatures throughout export
• know that the destination country may conduct border inspections and checks 

You’re responsible for making sure your product meets the importing country’s requirements, including the EHC and any other relevant documents. 

The importer in destination country is responsible for handling the goods according to that country’s marketing, documentary and other import requirements.

You should keep records of export for traceability.

Depending on your arrangements, the food business operator (FBO), freight forwarder or agent is responsible for food safety until the goods reach their final destination.

Once your goods leave GB, the CDS status updates to “departed”. You can then download the Export Accompanying Document (EAD). 

Related legislation:

Regulation (EC) 178/2002, Article 17 (Food Business Operator Responsibilities)