How to order an export health certificate

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From 1 January 2021, exporters from England, Scotland and Wales will need to apply for an export health certificate (EHC) to export to the EU.

You can apply for:

• certificates for trade with third countries (countries outside of the EU)
• certificates for trade with countries in the EU

The most frequently used certificates are available on EHC Online. They are downloaded and printed by your certifier, who is your official vet (OV) or inspector.

Some EHCs are printed on special watermarked ‘crown gold’ paper and posted to your certifier by APHA.

If an EHC is not available on EHC Online, you can apply by filling in a PDF application and sending it by email to APHA.

These EHCs are downloaded from EHC Online by your certifier to print on white paper.

These EHCs include copies in the languages of:

• the border control post (BCP) where your export will enter the EU
• the destination EU country

For example, if you’re applying for an EU EHC that will enter the EU at a BCP in France and the final destination is in Spain, your certifier will get English, French and Spanish language EHCs to certify.

You do not have to fill in any questions that are not in English - the system will copy your answers automatically.

Before you start you’ll need to register for EHC Online using Government Gateway and Defra account.

You cannot access Government Gateway account using Windows XP and Windows Vista or Internet Explorer 6 and 7. You may have problems with other older operating systems and browsers.

Go to Find an export health certificate and search for the EHC you need using:

• 4 digit certificate number
• country
• commodity

The EHC and guidance notes that explain what rules you’ll need to follow for your export are on these pages.

You can also start an online application if the EHC is available on EHC Online. You’ll need to register for Government Gateway and a Defra account to use the service.

If you already know the rules you need to follow for your export, you can go to Apply for an export health certificate. Read the guidance and click on “Start now”.

To apply for an EHC online your certifier must be registered to use the service.

If you cannot find your certifier when asked for their details in EHC Online, you’ll need to let them know as they will need to register.

You can clone (make a copy of) an application if you need to make a similar one for the same EHC. You can clone a submitted or a draft application.

See Transit certificates.

You’ll need to create and submit two separate applications, one for the EHC for your destination country and a second for your transit certificate.

Make sure you use the same reference number on both applications so APHA can send both EHCs to your certifier at the same time.