In addition to following egg marketing standards, you must also follow guidance for importing animal and animal products or exporting animals and animal products to the EU from 1 January 2021.

Importing eggs from the EU to the UK

You can continue to import eggs into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) from the EU from 1 January 2021.

Guidance on egg marking will be published on this page when available.

Importing eggs from the EU to NI

There will be no change to the marketing standards requirements for importing eggs from the EU to Northern Ireland (NI).

Moving eggs from NI to GB

There is no change to the requirements for moving eggs from NI to GB.

Exporting eggs from the UK to the EU

The UK is no longer a member of the EU and from 1 January 2021 will be classed as a third country.

Exporting eggs from GB to the EU

If you export eggs from GB to the EU from 1 January 2021 you should prepare for the third country import requirements (PDF, 772KB) in the EU marketing standards regulations.

The UK has applied to the EU to carry out an assessment called an ‘evaluation of equivalence’ for egg marketing standards. Guidance on egg marking requirements will be published when the ‘equivalence’ decision is made.

The UK has also applied for EU third country listing for products of animal origin (POAO) to allow exports, including eggs, to continue to the EU.

You do not need to mark eggs and egg packs with the UK’s oval health and identification marks. For more information read the Food Standard Agency’s guidance on the new health and identification marks.

Exporting eggs from NI to the EU

There will be no change to the marketing standards requirements for exporting eggs to the EU from Northern Ireland (NI).

Moving eggs from GB to NI

Goods moving from GB to NI will also be required to meet EU import marketing standards requirements.

Checks and controls

If you’re exporting eggs to the EU from 1 January 2021, there may be extra customs checks.

Eggs and egg products, along with all POAO, should enter the EU via a Border Control Post (BCP), accompanied by a signed export health certificate. BCPs were previously known as Border Inspection Posts (BIPs).

For more information see exporting animals, animal products, fish and fishery products to the EU in a no-deal Brexit.

POAO, including eggs and egg products, moved from GB to NI will be required to enter through designated points of entry. Further information on these checks and controls, and their frequency will provided when available.

For more information read guidance on Moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021.

Class A eggs

If you’re exporting Class A eggs, EU officials may carry out marketing standards checks at customs. See EU marketing standards for eggs.

Class B eggs

EU officials may carry out customs checks to verify your Class B eggs are going to the processing industry.

Class B eggs must have documentation with them showing the processing industry as their final destination. Without this information EU customs officials may stop your eggs from entering the EU.

Importing eggs from non-EU countries to GB

You cannot import eggs into GB from non-EU countries from 1 January 2021 until the equivalence of egg marketing standards is agreed.

Exporting eggs from the UK to non-EU countries

Eggs for export to non-EU countries may need to comply with different requirements for:

• quality
• marking
• labelling

You should check the import requirements of the country you’re exporting to.