ARCHIVE: International trade: Customer Information Notes - APE/11/063

Exports to the People’s Republic of China of fish and fishery products: authorisation of establishments for export and certification of consignments from 1 August 2011

Purpose

1.         This customer information note is to inform exporters about the process for authorisation of establishments and certification to export fish and fishery products to China from 1 August 2011.  It is applicable to all UK establishments handling raw and processed fish and fishery products for human consumption including shellfish but excluding live aquatic animals. Export Health Certificate 7208EHC applies.

Live aquatic animals (such as live clams and lobsters) are excluded from this process. Exporters should contact their Local Authority Environmental Health Departments for advice on the export of live products.

Products with Hong Kong as final destination are also excluded.

Background

2.         China operates a system of specific authorisation and notification of establishments wishing to export to their country.  Establishments in the UK are required to apply for authorisation by Defra. This is on the basis of compliance with EU food hygiene law.

Notification of Authorisation

3.         The system of specific authorisation and notification comes into effect on the 1st August 2011. It is therefore essential that exporters have arranged for all related establishments and signatories to be included on form ET114 in-line with the procedures detailed at paragraph 6 – 8 below. To ensure compliance from the 1st August 2011, completed form ET114 must be returned to Carlisle no later than 25th July 2011. Applications received after this date may not be included in the final list sent to China.

4.         After 1st August 2011, Defra will write to China periodically to notify the lists of UK Authorised Establishments. New applicants will be added to the list as soon as possible.

5.         There is no guarantee as to whether the Chinese Authorities will accept each establishment in the list, or when changes will take effect.

Nominating Establishments and Requesting Amendments

6.         If an exporter wishes to have a new establishment considered for Authorisation, or requires changes to be made to their existing entry in the lists of Authorised Establishments, then they must complete the Application (PDF 780 KB) and forward this to the Specialist Service Centre – Exports, Carlisle:  

Tel: (01228) 403600 option 4
E-mail: liveanimalexports.carlisle@ahvla.gsi.gov.uk

This form will also be available on the AHVLA website in due course;

http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/formsandfees/list.asp?subject=Exports

7.         In order to prevent fraud, the Chinese authorities require a sample of the signatures, names and stamps of all Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) or Official Veterinarians (OV’s) who may sign an Export Health Certificate with China as the destination. Exporters are required to make arrangements with a duly appointed EHO/OV and obtain a copy of his/her signature and stamp using application form (XXXX) above. Exporters may wish to provide these details for additional EHO/OV staff allowing for sickness or holidays. Certificates signed by EHO’s or OV’s who have not submitted sample signatures and stamps may be rejected at the Chinese Border.

8.         Failure to provide all the required information listed on the application form will delay the submission of this information to China, and could mean having to wait until the next amending letter detailing up to date establishment/signatories is forwarded to China. Updated approval requests will be forwarded to China every 3 months. Food Business Operators are responsible for ensuring that establishments for which they are requesting Chinese authorisation fully meet all veterinary and sanitary requirements

9.         Exporters are wholly responsible for the accuracy of the information they provide on the Application. Submitted Applications must contain complete and cumulative information relating to the establishment(s), not just the revised information.  If previously submitted information is missing from an exporter’s next submission then it will be assumed that this information is no longer required and will be removed from the next list that Defra will send to the Chinese authorities.      .

10.       If an exporter has an urgent request for a change to the lists, this may be reviewed on a case by case basis, but robust justification will be required.

Only establishments physically handling fishery products must be authorised. Trading companies not handling or processing the product do not require approval.

Certification of Products

11.       From 1 August 2011 all consignments of fish and fishery products exported to the People’s Republic of China must be accompanied by Export Health Certificate 7208EHC.

  • Exports from GB – Export Health Certificate issued by the Specialist Service Centre (SSC), Carlisle (AHVLA)
  • Exports from Northern Ireland (NI) – For information on who will issue this certificate please contact appropriate authority responsible for exports of fish and fishery products within NI

Once both the establishment and signatory are on the official approved establishment/signatory list held by China, exporters must apply for 7208EHC using application form EXA10 (PDF 1 MB). 

This form will also be available on the AHVLA website;

http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/formsandfees/list.asp?subject=Exports

Upon receipt of this application the relevant authority within GB/NI will issue batches of EHCs to certifying officers. Exporters will then submit further applications for batches of EHC’s as and when further batches are required.

12.       Certificate 7208EHC must be fully completed, stamped, signed and issued by a nominated officer of the Local Authority or an Official Veterinarian (OV). Nominated officers can obtain further guidance on the certification process by reading the guidance (PDF 210 KB).

This form will also be available on the AHVLA website in due course;

http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/formsandfees/list.asp?subject=Exports

13.       Certification can be provided at the premises of production or other locations before the product leaves the UK. Where certification is provided at places other than at the premises of production, the certifying Officers must satisfy themselves that the product complies with the Health Attestation in the Certificate (e.g. by obtaining confirmation from the Local Authority responsible for supervision of the establishment of production).

14.       If necessary, Official Veterinarians (OVs) appointed under Panel 1m may provide export health certification for fishery products.  OVs must also submit their signatures and stamps in advance and be satisfied that the Health Attestation can be signed (Paragraph 15 applies).

Transitional Period

15.       Until the 1st of August 2011, exporters may continue to consign fish and fish products to the People’s Republic of China accompanied by Export Certificates developed in the past by Local Authorities (i.e., not 7208EHC). From the 1st of August 2011 only consignments from Authorised plants, accompanied by Certificate 7208EHC, and signed by Officers whose names, signatures and stamps has been provided will be allowed entry into China.

Further Enquiries

16.       This and further CINs will be posted on our CIN page.

17.       If you have any further enquiries concerning the subject matter of this CIN you should contact Specialist Service Centre – Exports, Carlisle.

Issued by:  POLICY LIAISON TEAM, CARLISLE
Tel: (01228) 403600
PolicyLiaisonTeam.Carlisle@ahvla.gsi.gov.uk

Page published: 13 July 2011