Export fresh meat and meat products to the USA: certificate 1631

Use these forms and guidance documents to export fresh meat and meat products to the USA.

From:
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published
29 November 2018
Last updated
7 April 2026 — See all updates
Destination country:
USA
Commodity type:
Animal products including food
Certificate status:
Active

Exporting from England, Scotland and Wales

If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales, you must apply for this export health certificate (EHC) using the online service.

If you’re in Northern Ireland, you must apply to DAERA.

1. Check what you need for your export

Find out about the requirements for export in the guidance notes

Download a specimen certificate Export fresh meat and meat products to the USA: certificate 1631, version 9

2. Apply online

You’ll need:

  • a Government Gateway account
  • a Defra account

If you don’t already have them you’ll need to register for these accounts, and so will your official vet or inspector.

Start now

Registration takes around 5 minutes. Official vets and inspectors will also need to have their registration checked by APHA.

Register and sign in as an official vet or inspector.

Read the accessibility statement for this service.

Applying online means you can:

  • see the status of your applications
  • always use the latest version of the EHC
  • copy existing applications
  • apply for blocks of certificates

Exporting from Northern Ireland

If you’re in Northern Ireland, you no longer need to download this EHC. You will complete the EHC template as part of the DAERA online application process (DECS).

For more information, see the DECS Application User Guide

  1. Find out about the requirements for export in the guidance notes and Export fresh meat and meat products to the USA: certificate 1631, version 9.

  2. Start your application.

Make sure you examine the latest version of the EHC and guidance notes as they are sometimes updated. The latest versions are on this page.

Help with your application

In England, Scotland and Wales, call APHA on 03000 200 301.

In Northern Ireland, call DAERA on 02877442060.

Find out about call charges.

Updates to this page

Published 29 November 2018
Last updated 7 April 2026 show all updates

  1. Process for applying for EHC in Northern Ireland has changed

  2. Guidance notes updated

  3. Updated NFG

  4. Guidance notes updated

  5. EHC now available in EHC Online

  6. Specimen certificate updated.

  7. Specimen certificate and guidance notes updated.

  8. EHC updated to contain the COPY document. Applicants will now only need to complete the EHC and the COPY will be automatically populated.

  9. A new version of the EHC has been released.

  10. A new version of certificate 1631 Export fresh meat and meat products to the USA has been released.

  11. Update to approval/registration numbers.

  12. First published.

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