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Exporting consumer products from the UK

Goods leaving the UK need an EORI number, the right commodity code and an export declaration on the Customs Declaration Service. Animal products need an export health certificate from APHA, and some destinations ask for a certificate of free sale. Controlled items need an ECJU licence, and proof of origin lets the buyer claim a lower duty rate.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

Customs system
Customs Declaration Service (CDS), since CHIEF closed to exports in June 2024
Identifier
EORI number starting GB, or XI for Northern Ireland movements
Animal products
Export health certificates through APHA's EHC Online
Certificates of free sale
RPA for food, drink and feed; DBT for cosmetics and other goods
Export controls
Export Control Joint Unit, under the Export Control Act 2002
Origin
HMRC guidance, with a proof of origin for the buyer

By product

What each kind of product needs to leave the UK.

Before the goods leave

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Is the business ready to export, with an EORI number and someone to make the declarations? Read more
  2. 2Does the product need an export health, phytosanitary or free sale certificate? Read more
  3. 3Is the item on a control list, or the destination under sanctions? Read more
  4. 4Can the buyer claim a lower duty rate, and what proof of origin is needed? Read more
  5. 5Are excise goods or levied drinks leaving, and is duty suspended or reclaimed? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

The export declaration

How goods are cleared to leave the UK, and what the exporter keeps afterwards.

  • An EORI number starting GB is needed to export goods from England, Wales or Scotland.
  • The exporter or a customs agent submits an export declaration on CDS and gets clearance before the goods leave; CDS replaced CHIEF for export declarations from 4 June 2024.
  • The declaration needs the commodity code, customs procedure code and a Declaration Unique Consignment Reference, with the certificates and licences that apply.
  • The completed invoice and any licences or certificates must travel with the goods.
  • Exported goods can be zero-rated for VAT when evidence of export is held within the time limits, generally 3 months; invoices and customs paperwork are kept.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps each shipment's declaration reference, invoice and evidence of export together, dated. Ask about this

Export certificates

The certificates an overseas authority may ask for, and who issues them in the UK.

  • An export health certificate confirms an export of live animals or animal products meets the destination's health requirements; exporters in Great Britain apply through EHC Online and an official vet or inspector signs it.
  • APHA's finder listed over 2,000 export health certificates in October 2026 by destination and commodity.
  • The Rural Payments Agency issues certificates of free sale for products for human and animal consumption, such as food, drinks and supplements.
  • DBT issues Certificates of Free Sale for products subject to UK product safety legislation, including cosmetics, and Certificates of Good Manufacturing Practice for cosmetics going to China.
  • Plants and plant products, including fruit and vegetables, may need a phytosanitary certificate after inspection.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps each certificate with the shipment and lot it covers, dated, and shows what is missing or expiring before the next shipment. Ask about this

Strategic export controls and sanctions

Licences for controlled items, and restrictions by destination.

  • The UK keeps a consolidated list of strategic military and dual-use items that need an export licence from the Export Control Joint Unit.
  • It is the exporter's responsibility to check whether items need a licence; exporting controlled items without one is a criminal offence.
  • End-use controls can require a licence for items not on a list, though the enhanced military end-use control does not apply to consumer goods generally available to the public.
  • Trade sanctions under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 apply across the UK; the Russia regulations ban exports of listed luxury goods, including drinks, cosmetics, clothing and electronics above set prices.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps each product's control list assessment, dated, and shows the sanctions lists for a route beside the shipment. Ask about this

Origin and proof of origin

Whether goods originate in the UK under a trade agreement, so the buyer pays less duty.

  • Origin is where goods were grown, produced or manufactured; imported materials must be sufficiently worked or processed in the UK for the product to originate there.
  • Each agreement sets product specific rules by commodity code, such as wholly obtained, change of tariff classification, value added or specified processes.
  • Proof of origin can be a statement on origin or origin declaration on a commercial document, a EUR1 or EUR-MED movement certificate, or the importer's knowledge.
  • The exporter holds suppliers' declarations when needed and keeps supporting records for at least 4 years.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the origin working and suppliers' declarations for each product, dated, and answers buyers' origin questions from the record. Ask about this

Excise and levies on export

Duty and levies that can be suspended or reclaimed when goods leave.

  • Alcohol can be exported in duty suspension by an excise warehousekeeper or registered consignor, with an eAD on EMCS and a CDS export declaration.
  • Excise duty already paid on exported goods can be reclaimed through drawback, under Excise Notice 207.
  • A business that paid the Soft Drinks Industry Levy can claim a levy credit for exported drinks, with evidence of export.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the movement references and evidence of export for excise and levied goods with each shipment. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
ExporterThe export declaration, licences, certificates and proof of origin for its goods.Each shipment's documents kept together and dated.
ManufacturerThe product, its ingredients or materials, and the records that certificates and origin rely on.Specifications and suppliers' declarations ready for the exporter.
Customs agent or freight forwarderMaking declarations and moving the goods, where appointed.The references the agent needs, from one record.
Certifying authorityAPHA, RPA, DBT, ECJU and HMRC issue the certificates, licences and approvals.Issued documents kept with the goods they cover, dated.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Most export guidance here is written for Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Exporters in Northern Ireland apply to DAERA for export health certificates, do not need one to export to the EU, and follow EU dual-use rules under the Windsor Framework.

An EORI number starting GB is needed to export from Great Britain; moving goods to or from Northern Ireland may need one starting XI.

Where are the goods going?

Most of what products have to meet is set where they are sold. Each guide sets out the rules on arrival, with the official source for each.

Questions businesses ask

What do I need to export goods from the UK?
An EORI number, the right commodity code, an export declaration on the Customs Declaration Service, an invoice, and any licences or certificates the goods or destination need. You can make declarations yourself or appoint a customs agent.
Is CHIEF still used for export declarations?
No. Export declarations moved from CHIEF to the Customs Declaration Service, and from 4 June 2024 HMRC no longer accepts the SAD form on CHIEF.
What is an export health certificate?
An official document confirming an export of live animals or animal products meets the destination's health requirements. In Great Britain you apply through APHA's EHC Online and an official vet or inspector signs it.
Who issues certificates of free sale in the UK?
The Rural Payments Agency for food, drinks, supplements and animal feed; DBT for cosmetics and other products under UK product safety law; the MHRA for medical devices and medicines; HSE for biocides; and the VMD for veterinary medicines.
Do I need an export licence?
Only for items on the UK Strategic Export Control Lists, items caught by end-use controls, or goods prohibited by sanctions. It is the exporter's responsibility to check, and exporting controlled items without a licence is a criminal offence.
How do I prove my goods are of UK origin?
Check that the goods meet the product specific rule in the trade agreement, then give your buyer a proof of origin, such as a statement on origin on the invoice. Keep the supporting records for at least 4 years.
Can I zero-rate VAT on exports?
Yes, if the goods are exported and you hold valid evidence of export within the time limits in VAT Notice 703, generally 3 months from the time of supply.
Is exporting from Northern Ireland different?
In parts. Northern Ireland exporters apply to DAERA for export health certificates and do not need one to export to the EU, and EU dual-use rules apply there under the Windsor Framework.
How does Compliant Always help with exporting from the UK?
Our team reads the rules for the routes you ship. Compliant Always shows which export documents apply to your product, keeps them with the shipment beside what the destination asks for, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

Sources

Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

Tell us what you make, and we will show you the rules for it.

Name the product and the markets you sell in. We will come back to you with what applies in the UK and what your paperwork needs to show.

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