Importing eggs or egg products

Each batch (or 'consignment') of eggs or egg products that you import must:

• come from a country approved to export this type of product to the European Union (EU)
• enter the EU through a Border Inspection Post where veterinary checks must be carried out

Egg products must also:

• be accompanied by a public health certificate
• come from an establishment approved by the competent authority of the exporting country

Imports of eggs and egg products are only permitted from certain countries.

Remember that general UK regulations will also apply.

Animal Health, an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for the animal health aspects of imports of eggs and egg products and specific details of import conditions can be found on the Defra website at the link below. Alternatively, email ahitchelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk, or telephone 01245 358383 for more information.

From 26 April 2007 new health certification is required for imports of poultry, poultry products, ostrich (and other ratites – a type of flightless bird), ratite products, eggs and egg products from certain non-EU countries. The new certifications can be found in Commission Decision 2006/696/EC on the European Commission website. Previously valid certificates may still be accepted if signed before 26 April 2007.

A composite product is a foodstuff that contains both processed animal products and products of plant origin and where the processing of the primary product is essential to the production of the final foodstuff.

Information on importing composite products containing egg products can be found at this link below.