Key points
- Products of animal origin usually face the strictest requirements.
- Establishment approval is often required in addition to product admissibility.
- Border sampling adds time that must be planned for.
Establishment approval
Many destinations only accept products of animal origin from plants listed or approved for export to that market. The approval attaches to the plant, not to the trader, and cannot be substituted at short notice.
Official certification
Health or veterinary certificates are issued by the competent authority at origin in a format the destination accepts. Wording, signature, stamps and language are all part of acceptability; small deviations cause rejection.
Border inspection and sampling
Consignments may be subject to documentary, identity and physical checks, with laboratory sampling on a risk basis. Where sampling occurs, release waits for results, which is a material and often unplanned delay.
What to verify
- Producing establishment approved for the destination market
- Certificate format and wording pre-agreed with the destination authority
- Inspection and possible sampling time included in planning
Risks to manage
- Consignment rejected because the plant is not listed for the market
- Certificate wording deviating from the accepted model
- Extended detention pending official laboratory results
Common mistakes
- Assuming approval for one market implies approval for another
- Shipping before the certificate has been issued and checked
- Not verifying that the signing authority is recognised at destination
Frequently asked questions
Which products face sanitary controls?
Typically processed animal proteins, fish meal, fats and other products of animal origin, with plant-based materials subject to phytosanitary or contaminant controls depending on the destination.
What happens if a certificate is defective?
The consignment is usually detained pending a corrected certificate from the origin authority, which can take considerable time and incurs storage charges.
Related reading
Technical references
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