Food export certification

Our charges reflect the time and resources required to prepare and issue export certification.

Standard fees:

• Certificate fee: £115.00 plus VAT per certificate
• Additional officer time: £70.00 plus VAT per hour (for tasks including verification letters, template changes or meetings)

Set-up costs:

• Standard set-up fee from £185.00 plus VAT including:
  • £115.00 plus VAT for creating a bespoke certificate template
  • plus £70.00 plus VAT, per hour, for officer time during template development

Additional charges may apply for:

• significant amendments to agreed templates
• creation of new templates for different product lines
• inspections or verification work requested by the importing country
• translation or alternative wording required by overseas authorities

All fees are confirmed before work begins. Payment must be made online before certificates are issued.

1. Introduction

These terms and conditions govern the provision of Export Certification Services ('the Service') by North Northamptonshire Council for food businesses requiring certification for the export of food products to a third country. The Service includes Food Export Attestations and Export Health Certificates. By applying for either service, the applicant ('the Exporter') agrees to comply with these terms.

2. Overview of services

2.1 North Northamptonshire Council provides certification services to support the export of goods to countries outside the United Kingdom for food businesses within their enforcement area.

These services include:

2.2 Food Export Attestations (FEAs): Formal statements attesting/confirming compliance of a food premises and/or food products with UK/EU food law. The product for export must be deemed 'low risk' and not categorised as a product of animal origin or a high-risk food not of animal origin under UK and importing third-country regulations.

2.3 Export Health Certificates (EHCs): These certificates are issued for high-risk foods such as sprouts, berries, or dried herbs being exported to third countries (outside the UK and EU). They confirm that the food complies with safety standards and import requirements of the destination country. High Risk Food Not of Animal Origin (HRFNAO) refers to specific products and destination countries listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, which lays down temporary measures governing the entry into the Union of certain goods from certain third countries due to known or emerging risks.

2.4 North Northamptonshire Council does not offer export certification for products of animal origin (POAO) such as meat, dairy, or fish. If you require certification for such products, you will need to contact the relevant authority that handles these exports.

3. Eligibility

3.1 The Exporter must be a registered food business within the jurisdiction of North Northamptonshire Council.

3.2 The Exporter must be based within, or use storage or distribution facilities within, the North Northamptonshire local authority area.

3.3 The food business must comply with UK food safety regulations, including food hygiene and traceability requirements.

3.4 The service is non-statutory, and all requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

4. Application process - New customers

4.1 Food Business Operators using the service for the first time must complete the online enquiry form on the North Northamptonshire Council Website. The enquiry will be considered within 5 working days.

4.2 Exporters must provide accurate and complete information about the product, including its origin, composition, weight, quantity, and destination to enable the certifying officer to certify food products.

4.3 The Council reserves the right to request additional documentation or conduct a food premises inspection before issuing an attestation or certificate to confirm compliance with UK / EU food law.

4.4 It is the exporter’s responsibility to ensure that the requirements of the destination country are met.

4.5 Food Export Attestations (FEAs):

4.5.1 Application Review: The Certifying Officer will discuss the enquiry with the exporter and prepare a draft attestation.

4.5.2 Payment: Payment must be made in advance of the council providing a certified certificate. A payment link will be provided to pay the Council online.

4.5.3 Third Country Liaison: The exporter may use the draft to confirm acceptability with the relevant authority in the destination country.

4.5.4 Template Agreement: Once confirmed, the Certifying Officer will issue a final attestation template tailored to the specific export requirements.

4.5.5 Completion by Exporter: The exporter completes the attestation using the approved template. For future applications, the exporter may submit them directly without completing a new enquiry form, provided the circumstances remain unchanged.

4.5.6 Issuance Timeline: The final certificate will be issued within 5 working days, subject to: Receipt of payment in advance and submission of a completed draft certificate.

4.6 Export Health Certificates (EHCs):

4.6.1 Initial consultation: A Certifying Officer will conduct a detailed discussion with the exporter to clarify certification and sampling requirements.

4.6.2 Timeframe and cost estimate: An estimate of timeframe and costs will be provided.

4.6.3 Certificate model template and formal sampling agreement: If sampling is required, dates will be scheduled in agreement with the exporter.

4.6.4 Invoicing and payment: Charges will be invoiced under the Council’s standard payment terms, at cost, and after the service has been provided.

5. Application process - existing customers

5.1 Food Export Attestation Certificate requests: Existing customers must email Health Protection with a complete attestation template, at least 5 working days before the intended export date from Great Britain.

5.2 Export Health Certificates requests: Existing customers must email Health Protection with details of the consignment, sampling requirements and timescales for consideration by the Senior Environmental Health Officer.

5.3 The service is non-statutory, and the Council reserves the right to not offer this service at times where statutory functions take priority or resources are not available.

6. Fees and payments

6.1 A non-refundable fee is charged for each attestation or certificate issued. 

6.2 Fees for the certification service will be charged in accordance with the Local Authority's published fee schedule. Additional postage fees may apply where the Exporter requests certificates to be posted using an expedited or tracked delivery service. These costs will be charged in addition to the standard certification fee and agreed with the Exporter in advance.

6.3 By applying for this service, the exporter agrees to pay the charges for officer time incurred by the Service to the Local Authority within the standards timescales noted on the invoice (where applicable) and for Food Export Attestations using the Councils online payment facility prior to the certificate being certified.

6.4 Charges for officer time will be agreed with the exporter in advance and will be at the rate displayed on the fees and charges page on our website.

6.5 Additional fees may apply for urgent requests, additional inspections, or re-issuance of attestations due to errors or amendments requested by the applicant or third country authorities.

6.6 Payments for export attestations are made in advance of the certificate being issued. For Export Health Certificates requiring sampling, costs will be estimated and invoiced directly.

6.7 Non-payment may result in civil proceedings and suspension of future services until the account is settled.

7. Responsibilities and limitations

7.1 The Exporter is responsible for ensuring that the attestation or certificate meets the requirements of the importing country.

7.2 The Council issues documents in good faith based on the information provided and does not guarantee acceptance by foreign authorities.

7.3 The Council is not liable for any losses, delays, or rejections due to incorrect or incomplete information provided by the Exporter.

7.4 If an error is identified after issuance, the Exporter must notify the Council immediately for potential amendment or re-issuance.

7.5 Official certificates are valid for four months from the date of issue and must not be altered or changed after certification.

8. Cancellation and amendments

8.1 Requests for amendments or cancellations must be made in writing as soon as possible.

8.2 Fees paid are non-refundable unless the Council is responsible for an error that invalidates the attestation or certificate.

8.3 If an amendment is required due to incorrect information provided by the Exporter, an additional fee may be charged.

9. Data Protection and confidentiality

9.1 The Council will process personal and business data in accordance with data protection laws and regulations.

9.2 Information provided for certification will only be used for that purpose and shared with relevant authorities as necessary.

10. Disputes and complaints

10.1 If the Exporter is dissatisfied with the Service, a complaint may be submitted following the Council’s complaints procedure.

10.2 Disputes regarding the acceptance of a certificate by an importing country must be resolved between the Exporter and the relevant foreign authority.

11. Amendments to terms and conditions

11.1 The Council reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions as necessary.

11.2 Updated terms will be published on the Council’s website, and it is the Exporter’s responsibility to review them before applying.

12. Contact information

For queries regarding the Export Certification Service, please contact:

Health Protection Team
Regulatory Services
North Northamptonshire Council

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 0300 126 3000
• Web: www.northnorthants.gov.uk