What You Need to Know for Export / Tranship of Food & Food Products

To import, export, or tranship food and food products, you need to fulfil some general requirements. For instance, registration with ACRA is mandatory, and your UEN must be activated with Customs.



Before exporting any food or food product to a new destination country/region, check and ensure that it meets the importing country/region’s requirements. 

For information on overseas destination countries/regions’ requirements for food products exported from Singapore, go to Library of Export Market Requirements.

The Competent Authorities of the destination country/region may require you to register with them and obtain pre-export approvals for your food establishments and/or products before they are allowed to be imported to the destination country/region. 

To determine whether pre-export approvals are required, check with your importer/customer or the authorities in the destination country/region. You can also refer to the Library of Export Market Requirements.

Countries/regions importing your food and food products may impose import requirements (e.g. importer’s registration and labelling). Ensure your food and food products comply with these requirements to avoid delays, detention of your food and food products, and other complications.

You can check with the destination country/region’s authority on their import requirements. For instance, some countries/regions only permit meat and egg imports from accredited overseas establishments.

The destination country/region may have their own requirements for specific food products and request an export document to be issued by SFA.  

SFA issues the following export certificates to facilitate the export of Meat & Meat Products and Fish & Fish Products from Singapore traders/manufacturers to overseas countries/regions:

• Free Sale Certificate
• Export Health Certificate
• Export Health Certificate (for Imported Food Products)

These certificates provide assurance that the export products meet the requirements of the destination countries/regions. To apply for these certificates, see Application Process for Export Certificates.

Check with your customer, i.e. the party importing your food and food products, on the export documents required. You can also check with the Competent Authority of the destination country/region.

Follow the steps below to apply for a CCP.

Before transhipping any food or food product, ensure that it is approved for transhipment from the country/region of origin and the country/region of destination. You can check with your customer/importer in the country/region of origin and/or country/region of destination.

The Competent Authorities of the destination country/region may require the food establishments and/or products from the country/region of origin to be registered with them and obtain pre-export approvals before they can be imported.

Countries/regions importing your food and food products may impose import requirements (e.g. importer’s registration and labelling). Ensure your food and food products comply with these requirements to avoid delays, detention of your food and food products, and other complications.