Applying for an export certificate
How to apply for an export certificate, including a Certificate of Free Sale, Certificate of Manufacture and Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice.
Export certificates are issued by a number of organisations, including the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
Overview of export certificates issued by DBT
You may need an export certificate if an overseas authority asks for evidence about products you want to sell, market or distribute outside the UK.
Use this guidance to find out:
- how to apply for an export certificate through DBT
- when you may need to apply through another organisation
You can apply for the following export certificates through DBT:
- Certificate of Free Sale
- Certificate of Manufacture
- Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice
Depending on the goods you want to export, you may need to apply for an export certificate through a different organisation. Check which export certificate you need before applying through DBT.
Export certificates issued through DBT are free.
Check which export certificate you need
Use the information in this section to check whether you should apply through DBT or another organisation.
If you need a certificate to declare that goods, including cosmetic products, meet the UK’s high safety standards
You may need a Certificate of Free Sale from DBT.
If you need a certificate for cosmetic products manufactured to good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards and exported to China
You may need a Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice from DBT.
If you need a certificate for pesticides made for export only that will not be placed on the UK market
You may need a Certificate of Manufacture from DBT.
If your product is not covered by DBT
You will need to apply through another organisation if you want to export:
- biocides or pesticides on free sale in the UK
- medical devices
- medicines for animals or humans
- products for human or animal consumption, such as food, drinks or supplements
Certificate of Free Sale
A Certificate of Free Sale can help exporters access certain overseas markets by declaring that goods meet the UK’s high safety standards. A Certificate of Free Sale is not part of UK export procedures and is not the same as an export licence.
A Certificate of Free Sale from DBT can cover a wide range of products that are subject to UK product safety legislation, including cosmetic products.
Certificate of Free Sale for cosmetic products
You do not need a Certificate of Free Sale to market, distribute or sell cosmetic products in the following countries:
- Australia
- Brunei
- Chile
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Peru
- Singapore
- Vietnam
This is because of the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Canada has completed its domestic processes and the UK’s accession to CPTPP will enter into force with Canada on 1 September 2026. From this date, UK businesses will be able to trade with Canada under CPTPP.
Products not covered by DBT
For some products, you need to apply for an export certificate through another organisation.
Biocides and pesticides
If you need to export biocides, agricultural pesticides or non-agricultural pesticides that are on free sale in the UK, apply for a certificate of free sale through the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Medical devices
If you need to export medical devices, apply for a certificate of free sale through the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Medicines for animals
If you need to export medicines for animals, including veterinary medicines, apply for a certificate of free sale through the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).
Medicines for humans
If you need to export medicines for humans, apply for an export certificate through the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Products for human and animal consumption
If you need to export products for human and animal consumption, such as food, drinks and supplements, apply for a certificate of free sale through the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).
Other products
If your product is not listed on this page, email DBT’s Import Licensing Branch (ILB) at enquiries.ilb@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
Include:
- details of your products
- the product safety legislation that applies to your products
We will advise whether we can issue a Certificate of Free Sale.
Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice
A Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice only applies to cosmetic products exported to China.
A Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice certifies that a cosmetic brand’s products are manufactured at their UK manufacturing site in line with GMP standards referred to in cosmetics legislation.
Certificate of Manufacture
A Certificate of Manufacture applies to pesticides that are made for export only and will not be placed on the UK market.
If your pesticide is on free sale in the UK, you need to apply for a certificate of free sale through the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Apply for an export certificate through DBT
Use the Apply for an export certificate service to apply for a:
- Certificate of Free Sale
- Certificate of Manufacture
- Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice
If your application is successful, you’ll get a digital certificate. You can print the certificate if you need a hard copy.
Get help
If you need help or advice about applying for export certificates through DBT, contact Import Licensing Branch (ILB) at enquiries.ilb@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you cannot access the service online
If you cannot access the service or complete your application online, contact ILB.
We can send you an application form by email in Open Document Format.
Applications may take longer to process if you apply this way.
Notices to exporters
ILB publishes notices to exporters. We also send notices to exporters through the Apply for an export certificate service when they are published.
Further information
Updates to this page
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Page content restructured, with 'Overview' and 'Check which export certificate you need' sections added. Under 'Certificate of Free Sale for cosmetic products', Mexico has been added to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) countries list. Information about Canada being added from 1 September 2026 also included. 'Get help' section updated to explain what users can do if they are unable to access the online service.
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Information added to the 'Certificates of Free Sale' section to indicate which countries do not need a CFS for cosmetic products following the UK acceding to Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
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First published.