Bovine oocytes and embryos collected or produced, processed and stored after 20 April 2021 and dispatched by the embryo collection or production team who collected or produced the oocytes or embryos to the European Union and Northern Ireland: certificate 8402
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-02)

Apply online for an export health certificate (EHC) to export bovine oocytes and embryos from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to the EU or move them to Northern Ireland.

Apply for an export health certificate online

If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales, you must apply for an export health certificate (EHC) using the online service to export bovine oocytes and embryos to the EU or to move them to Northern Ireland.

If you’re in Northern Ireland, you do not need an EHC to export to the EU. Contact DAERA on xx-xxxx-xxxx to find out what you need to do.

1. Check what you need for your export

Find out about the requirements for export in the following documents:
- specimen certificate (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69049a5519a898f0b1898091/8402_EN_V5_specimen_.pdf)
- guidance notes (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/692f0504ce50d215cae96382/8402NFG_Nov25_v8.pdf)
- Support certificate for donor cows: 8402OED, version 2 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691c70c221ef5aaa6543ef02/8402OED_V2.pdf)
- Support certificate for bovine semen used to produce bovine embryos: 8402CKA, version 2 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691c70e90dcbf6343e9a297d/8402CKA_V2.pdf)
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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-register-for-export-health-certificate-ehc-online), and so will your official vet or inspector (http://apha.defra.gov.uk/official-vets/Guidance/exports/ehc-online.htm).

Start now (https://exporter.apply-export-health-certificate.service.gov.uk/forms/8402EHC)

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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/certify-an-export-health-certificate).

Read the accessibility statement for this service (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accessibility-statement-for-export-health-certificates-online).

Applying online means you can:
- see the status of your applications
- always use the latest version of the EHC
- copy existing applications
- apply for multiple certificates
Find out more

Stay up to date with any changes to EHCs by signing up for email alerts (https://www.gov.uk/export-health-certificates/email-signup).

Find out about getting an EHC (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-an-export-health-certificate).

Find out about exporting live animals and animal products (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exporting-animals-animal-products-fish-and-fishery-products-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-with-no-deal) from 1 January 2021.

Help with your application

In England, Scotland and Wales, call APHA on xx-xxxx-xxxx.

In Northern Ireland, call DAERA on xx-xxxx-xxxx.

Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges).