Sanitary / food safety
Health certificate (food export, fit for human consumption)
Mandatory
About this certificate
- Type
- Government (issued by exporting-country authority)
- Issued by
- Exporting-country competent authority (e.g. ministry of health/agriculture, food safety agency)
- Recognised bodies
- Competent authority only; models per Codex CXG 38-2001 (generic model official certificates)
- Product scope
- Processed and primary food; product-specific formats agreed bilaterally
- Typical validity
- Per consignment; many importers want issue within 30-90 days of shipment
- Key data on the certificate
- Certificate no.; issuing authority & official stamp/signature; exporter & consignee; product description, HS code, lot/batch, quantity, net weight; production & expiry dates; producer/establishment name & approval no.; country of origin; attestation wording; issue date & place; container/seal no.
Key markets that require it
- Bahrain — Mandatory: All imported food Source for Bahrain
- China — Mandatory: Meat, dairy, aquatic products, bird's nest, other high-risk categories Source for China
- Egypt — Mandatory: All imported food Source for Egypt
- European Union (Bloc) — Mandatory: Composite products, food of non-animal origin under Reg. 2019/1793 (e.g. aflatoxin-risk nuts, spices) Source for European Union
- India — Mandatory: Specified categories (milk products, meat, fish) and per FSS (Import) Regulations Source for India
- Indonesia — Mandatory: Required in BPOM ML dossier and at import Source for Indonesia
- Japan — Mandatory: Meat, milk products, oysters, pufferfish and other specified items Source for Japan
- Kenya — Mandatory: Imported food Source for Kenya
- Kuwait — Mandatory: All imported food Source for Kuwait
- Malaysia — Commonly requested: Processed foods Source for Malaysia
- Nigeria — Mandatory: Imported food Source for Nigeria
- Oman — Mandatory: All imported food Source for Oman
- Qatar — Mandatory: All imported food Source for Qatar
- Saudi Arabia — Mandatory: All imported food Source for Saudi Arabia
- South Africa — Commonly requested: Processed foods (per importer/DoH) Source for South Africa
- South Korea — Mandatory: Meat, dairy, seafood and specified foods Source for South Korea
- United Arab Emirates — Mandatory: All imported food Source for United Arab Emirates
Markets named in the catalogue
GCC (all), EU, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan (meat/dairy/some seafood), South Korea, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, UK
Screening guidance based on published standards — not legal clearance. Requirements marked "needs verification" are directional hints; confirm with the destination regulator or a licensed advisor before shipping.