International trade: Customer Information Notes - APE/08/163
Completion of application forms for export health certificates for China
Purpose
1. Following a potential major disruption to trade in hides and skins to China recently because of a poorly presented export certificate, this Customer Information Note is to alert exporters of the need to be as accurate as possible when completing their applications for export health certificates to avoid the need for the LVI to have to make manual corrections to the final certificate wherever possible.
The Chinese authorities have made it clear that they will not accept export certification bearing excessive multiple manual amendments.
Background
2. At the end of October the Chinese authorities alerted us to what they suspected to be a potentially fraudulent Export Health Certificate (EHC) covering a consignment of sheep skins. Further investigation revealed that, whilst the EHC was authentic, it was a poorly presented example, bearing multiple changes and amendments to the details of the consignment.
Although the certifying LVI who made these changes duly stamped and signed them in accordance with standard certification procedures, the Chinese authorities regarded the high number of multiple manual amendments as a sign that the process of export certification in the UK was not sufficiently robust.
3. Following receipt of an explanatory letter from Nigel Gibbens (Chief Veterinary Officer) the Chinese authorities agreed to permit the consignment in question to be imported. However, they have promised to write back to the CVO expressing their concerns and they may suggest specific changes they would like to see in the presentation of EHCs in the future.
Once we receive the letter from the Chinese authorities, we will be working with our delivery agent, the Animal Health Agency, and our major industry stakeholders on the best way to address their specific concerns and to improve the level of service provided to exporters, wherever possible.
4. Although this incident related specifically to one consignment of sheep skins, we understand that Chinese concerns may go wider and cover a much broader range of exports. The British Embassy, Beijing, has advised that a repeat of the earlier incident could severely disrupt trade in animals and animal products to China.
Consequently, any company applying for an EHC for the export of any product to China should pay particular attention to the legibility, accuracy and completeness of the information contained in their application and should avoid wherever possible last minute changes to the details required (including names, addresses, products descriptions etc). This should help to reduce the need for manual amendments by the LVI prior to export. If in doubt as to what information might be needed in their application, exporters should contact the issuing Animal Health Divisional Office for advice.
Further enquiries
7. Please email Export Strategy Team via: iah-exports@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Issued by: International Animal Health
Page published: 13 November, 2008