Guidance

Import of eggs in shell for human consumption - Import Information Note (IIN) A/15

Published 2 December 2024

1. General information 

This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of products of animal origin (POAO), which provides information on pre-notifications, veterinary checks, risk categories etc. 

References to European Union (EU) legislation within this document are references to direct EU legislation which has been assimilated in Great Britain (assimilated direct legislation), as defined in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and can be viewed on the UK legislation website. 

2. Scope 

Import conditions for eggs in shell for human consumption. 

“Eggs” are defined in Regulation (EC) 853/2004 as “eggs in shell – other than broken, incubated or cooked eggs – that are produced by farmed birds and are fit for direct human consumption or for the preparation of egg products”. 

3. Country of origin 

Imports are permitted from trading partners listed in a document published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers. See the documents for poultry and poultry products for:

• non-EU countries
• EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries

Trading partners must have ‘E’ recorded in column 4 of the above documents to be able to export eggs in shell to Great Britain (GB).  

Certain countries may be required to provide supplementary guarantees, depending on the animal health situation in the territories of origin. Please also check the 5th and 6th columns (including columns 6a and 6b) of the above documents, where these supplementary guarantees are listed.

In addition, the country of origin must be listed for the appropriate species in a document published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers, in accordance with Decision (EU) 2011/163 on the approval of residue control plans submitted by third countries. The relevant documents are accessible using the links above.

4. Approved establishments 

Imports must come from an establishment approved to export to GB. Importers should check prior to importation that the premises of origin are listed on the correct list.  

Find consolidated lists of approved plants (excluding the EU) 

Find approved EU food establishments 

If the establishment or plant is not listed, importers are urged to contact the company concerned, who should contact their competent authority immediately. If the plant is not included on the appropriate list when veterinary checks are carried out the consignment is likely to be held and could be rejected and re-exported or destroyed.

5. Health certification  

Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate. 

Model health certificates for eggs

This requirement applies to animal products in the high and medium risk categories. Find import risk categories for animals and animal products imported from:

• the EU to GB
• non-EU countries to GB

6. Contact for further information  

For more information about import requirements, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) imports team:

Centre for International Trade - Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX

Email: imports@apha.gov.uk 

Telephone: 03000 200 301