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.

You can apply for the following export certificates through DBT:

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.

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.

You will need to apply through another organisation if you want to export: 

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.