SPS requirements usually include export health certificates. This will be discussed in detail below. Our Trade Hub section on SPS checks has lots more information.
What is an export health certificate?
An export health certificate (EHC) is an official document that confirms that an item being exported meets the health requirements of the destination country.
Do I need an export health certificate to trade between Ireland and Northern Ireland?
There are no requirements for export health certificates on most goods moved between Northern Ireland or Ireland in either direction. The same rules also apply for goods moving directly from Northern Ireland / Ireland to another EU member state.
Trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain
My business is based in Northern Ireland. Do I require an export health certificate when selling goods in GB?
Under the Windsor Framework there are no new requirements for businesses in Northern Ireland to obtain an export health certificate when exporting to GB. However existing rules still apply, and to see what products require export health certificates please contact the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Trade between Ireland and Great Britain
Do businesses in Ireland require an export health certificate when exporting to GB?
Export Health Certificates and phytosanitary certificates are required for medium and high risk animal products, plants and plant products moving from Ireland to GB.
Prenotification of imports of SPS goods from Ireland are required on UK IPAFFS system
More information around requirements for Exporting from Ireland to the UK can be found on this gov.ie page about Exporting to the UK from Ireland.
How do I identify the risk level for my product?
There are two ways to identify the risk level for your product. These are:
- Using the risk categories summary tables set out in the Border Target Operating Model. These can be accessed by visiting this guidance on GOV.UK: TOM risk categories for animal and animal product imports from the EU to Great Britain: summary tables.
- To look up the risk categories for specific commodity codes, use the separate TOM risk categories for animal and animal product imports from the EU to Great Britain: searchable list with commodity codes.
What is the Border Target Operating Model?
The Border Target Operating Model is a document which sets out a new approach from the UK government to ensuring security over all imports and the approach to ensuring compliance with all sanitary and phytosanitary controls. A copy of the full model can be found at the following link to a PDF on GOV.UK: Final Border Target Operating Model
We will continue to update the content as we move forward and encourage you to ask us your questions via our Chatbot.
When are the changes happening?
The introduction of the Border Target Operating model has resulted in changes regarding the requirements for moving goods subject to sanitary and phytosanitary controls between the EU and GB.
Example export health certificates
As part of the preparation for the introduction of the Border Target Operating Model the UK government has released a series of model export health certificates.
Additionally, businesses in Ireland can contact the following email address for support: Traces@agriculture.gov.ie
Who can I contact for support?
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland businesses can contact DAERA on 0300 200 7840. You can also find details of your local DAERA regional office via the following link: DAERA Direct Regional offices | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
Ireland
In Ireland businesses can contact the following email address for support: Traces@agriculture.gov.ie
For queries in relation to Export Health Certification: BrexitCall@agriculture.gov.ie
Article reviewed by the Trade Hub Team: March 2025