A health certificate is an official document, issued by a government body in the exporting country, stating that a food lot meets the health requirements of the importing country. It is needed only for certain products and certain markets, not for every spice or seed shipment.
It differs from a supplier's certificate of analysis. A health certificate carries official authority. A COA is the supplier's or a lab's statement of test results.
Who issues it in India
The Export Inspection Council of India (EIC) and its regional Export Inspection Agencies issue official health certificates for many food exports. Some products have their own routes. For example, spices may involve the Spices Board, and plant health is certified separately through the phytosanitary system.
The issuing body may inspect the plant, draw samples or rely on approved labs. The format often follows a model agreed with the importing country.
When you are likely to need one
- Your country requires an official certificate for that product from India.
- The product is listed for special import conditions in the EU under Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, which can require an official certificate with sampling and lab results.
- Your import permit or licence names a health certificate as a condition.
- Products of animal origin, such as honey or dairy, which have stricter official certification in most markets.
- A buyer or bank asks for one as part of the document pack.
EU checks and practical steps
Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 sets out products from certain countries that face more frequent border checks, and a separate list that also needs an official certificate and lab results. The lists are reviewed regularly, and Indian products have moved on and off them. Do not rely on last year's position. Check the current annexes before you contract, and ask your importer or broker to confirm.
If your product is listed, the sampling and testing must be done in the way the regulation describes. A certificate based on the wrong sample or an old report can be refused at the border. Border delays are covered in what happens if a shipment is detained.
- Ask your broker or food authority whether an official health certificate is needed for your product and origin.
- Get the exact model certificate or wording, and send it to the supplier at contract stage.
- Allow time for official sampling and testing in the lead time.
- Check the draft matches the invoice, lot numbers and container details.
Who pays and how long it takes
Official certification adds time and cost, which the supplier will build into the price or charge separately. Agree in the contract who pays for sampling, testing and the certificate itself. Official sampling may need a few working days before loading, and lab results add more. Ask the supplier how long the issuing body took on their last shipment of the same product to the same market, and add a margin.
How we help
We check whether your product needs an official certificate for your market and build the sampling into the production plan. We then review the draft against the lot and container before it is issued. Start with a free sourcing review.