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Generally, most importing countries require each consignment of meat, fish or dairy products being imported into the country to be accompanied by some form of certification that the product is safe, wholesome or meets the country's requirements. For many importing countries, a government to government certification is required before the food or food products are permitted entry.
As the national food safety authority of Singapore, AVA facilitates the export of food products to many foreign countries by providing the relevant export documentation required by the importing countries. The export certification process serves to instill confidence in the products exported to the various parts of the world. As such, it is important to ensure that there is a high level of integrity, security and accuracy in the certification process. Our export documentation has facilitated the export of food to more than 40 countries, which includes the EU, Australia and New Zealand. AVA also provides technical advice and assistance to existing and potential exporters of agricultural products and processed foods as part of this trade facilitation.
Prior to planning for export of any product to a new destination, exporters are advised to consult on the requirements of the importing country to confirm export eligibility. Certain product and sources may not be eligible for export to the designated country. As import requirements may change from time to time, exporters are advised to confirm requirements with their clients (their importers) prior to planning to export for example, Individual European Union (EU) member states may implement additional national requirements that address concerns not covered by the harmonised EU legislation.
The export document required is dependent on the requirements of the importing country, as well as the product type. Some importing countries such as the EU have prescribed Health Certificate formats for exporting countries to comply with.
Some countries, including the EU, require the processing establishment in the exporting country to be pre-approved or registered with their authority prior to commencing export. AVA provides technical assistance for such pre-approval / registration process.
- The establishment which manufactures the product intended for export must be licensed by AVA (Conditions for licensing of meat and fish establishments);
- The product to be exported must originate from Singapore, or must have gone through some value-added processing in Singapore;
- Products to be exported must comply with the requirement that are laid down in the AVA Wholesome Meat and Fish Act.
- Besides the AVA conditions, the processor and the product must also comply with the standards and regulations of the importing country the product is intended for.
The requirements of importing countries may change from time to time. Hence exporters are advised to confirm requirements with their clients (importers) prior to planning for any export. Most commonly, information on import requirements is also available on the website. In order to be eligible for export, the products as well as the production system which produces it, must meet the requirements of the importing countries. The website of some overseas regulatory agencies with responsibilities for food are:
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Website
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australian Government
Europa, Gateway to the European, Union
The need for establishment approval and listing is applicable only to certain product types and certain destination countries. Please contact our Technical Enquiry Lines below if you need clarification on this.
To seek for pre-approval or registration of local premises for export to specific country, intending exporters should contact our AVA office. The intending processor shall submit the necessary information together with the application. AVA will examine the application and conduct on-site visits to confirm that the establishment complies with the conditions of the designated importing country. Export operations can commence only after notification by AVA of the final approval by the government authorities of the importing countries.
The authority in the importing country may send their inspectors to Singapore to audit and verify the conditions of the approved establishments, as and when they deem necessary. The AVA facilitates such foreign inspection missions e.g by the EC Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), and the US Food and Drug Administration.
Prior to export, some form of inspection and/or laboratory testing will be conducted on the export consignments and/or the processing lines. The purpose of the inspection and laboratory testing are to ensure that food intended for export is safe, wholesome and accurately described, thereby protecting Singapore's trading reputation. The inspection process is also to ensure that the importing countries' requirement is being met. Establishments exporting products are required to meet the regulatory requirements related to not only the final products, but also requirements pertaining to their facilities and sanitation conditions.
- Applicants shall fill in Health Certificate Application Form giving details of the product, production details, and export quantity - and submit the Application Form to the Veterinary Public Health Laboratory. Fax-in forms are acceptable.
- AVA's inspection services officers will make an appointment with the processing establishment for on-site inspection and sample collection.
- Samples collected will be tested at the AVA's food testing laboratory, the Veterinary Public Health Laboratory (VPHL).
- The turn-around time for inspection, testing and certificate issuance is as specified in our Service Standards, and is dependent on product type e.g canned foods take a longer turn-around time.
For the full application procedure, please click here.
- The establishment will be informed of the outcome of the laboratory tests once results are completed.
- Health certificates will only be issued when results of inspection and / or laboratory testing are satisfactory. If a consignment fails to meet requirements, a Laboratory Report (Certificate of Analysis will be issued instead of Export Health Certificate;
- The establishment shall furnish AVA with the necessary shipping details for the preparation of export health certificates.
- Export Health Certificates shall be collected from the Counter at the VPHL. The applicant may also request for the documents to be posted directly to them.
Fees are chargeable for inspection, laboratory testing and certification services:
- Tests Chargeable per test, at prevailing testing fee rate
- Technical service S$38 per hr or part thereof
- Professional service S$80.00 per hr or part thereof
- Documentation S$20.00 per document
- Certified True Copies S$9.45 per copy
There are currently no export notices.
Veterinary Public Health Centre
Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
10 Perahu Road, Singapore 718837
For general enquiries:
Tel: (65) 67952829 / (65) 67952822
Fax: (65) 68619491
For technical assistance:
Tel: (65) 67952838 / (65) 67952823
Fax: (65) 68612775
For export inspection appointment:
Tel: (65) 67952854 / (65) 67952855
Fax: (65) 68612775
Operating hours:
| Mon - Thurs |
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8.30am - 12.30pm |
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1.30pm - 6.00pm |
| Fri |
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8.30am - 12.30pm |
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1.30pm - 5.30pm |
| Sat, Sun and public Holidays |
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Closed |
For the location map, please click here.
For details on how to get to the Centre, please click here.
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