Certificates of Free Sale are produced by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) as a non-statutory service, at no charge, to accompany food products upon export. The standard certificate gives assurances to importing countries that food products are:

"free from harmful levels of radioactive material and may be sold in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.  The law requires all food to be fit for human consumption." 

 At present, Certificates of Free Sale are mainly required by certain non-EU countries, particularly those in the Middle East.  Potential exporters must however establish for themselves, through contacting the relevant country's authorities or embassy, what export conditions apply. 

The RPA is able to produce Certificates of Free sale for: 

Manufactured Foods

Soft drinks

Health food supplements                                    

Food additives

Pet foods

Tea, cocoa, coffee, herbs and spices                   

Animal Feeding stuffs                                        

 

Alcoholic Drinks

Milk & Milk products

Sugar and Sugar syrups

Malt & Flour

Protein crops

Application Forms

For further information or help with completing the application forms contact the ‘Certificates of Free sale’ team.

Rural Payments Agency

Data Control Centre

Lancaster House

Hampshire Court

Newcastle Business Park                       Tel:       0191 2265111

Newcastle upon Tyne                             Fax:      0191 2265533

NE4 7YH                                               Email:   certificates.ofFreesale@rpa.gsi.gov.uk