Follow these steps to export eggs and egg products. This guide will help you comply with Australian export laws and meet importing country requirements.
You can print this guide and use it as a checklist.
Need to know
Before you start this process, we recommend you read this guide in full.
- You must get a valid export permit before you export prescribed egg products
- Allow time to get your export permit and other documents before your consignment leaves Australia
- You must register with us as an exporter before you can export eggs and egg products
- Fees and charges apply to some steps.
1
You need to understand how your product is defined by law, as export requirements differ between products.
Eggs and eggs products are defined as either prescribed goods or non-prescribed goods. Export requirements differ between these products.
Prescribed goods
We regulate the export of prescribed egg and egg products. An egg or egg product is considered prescribed when:
- it is an egg from the species Gallus gallus (chicken) or
- the contents of an egg removed from the shell in liquid (chilled or not), frozen, dried or denatured form; and
- it is manufactured in Australia intended for human consumption
Examples include:
- whole eggs
- liquid egg (whole, yolk only, white only)
- dried egg (whole, yolk only, white only)
- frozen egg (whole, yolk only, white only)
- cooked egg products (such as scrambled, boiled, – where no other ingredients are added to the product).
To export these prescribed goods, continue to Step 2.
Non-prescribed goods
There may be instances where prescribed goods may be considered as non-prescribed. Examples include:
- products that are less than 10 kilograms or liquid products that are less than 10 litres
- products are exported to New Zealand
- products intended for animal feed
- products in tablet or capsule form for pharmaceutical purposes
We also consider eggs from other animals such as duck, quail, geese to be non-prescribed.
You must still meet any specific requirements of the importing country. To find out more:
- check our Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor)
- talk to your importer.
Non-prescribed goods become prescribed egg products when an importing country requires export registration and certification.
Do NOT continue through this guide If you are exporting non-prescribed goods.
2
For both prescribed and non-prescribed products, you must meet all requirements.
Before you export:
- check our Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor)
- talk to your importer about any specific requirements.
3
You must register with us to export prescribed egg products.
Registration requirements vary depending on your role as an exporter or an export establishment.
Exporters
As an exporter you are the person or company legally responsible for complying with the export requirements of your egg products.
Your company name is on all export documents. You make or have all declarations that the products are fit for export and meet importing country requirements.
Register as an exporter through our Next Export Documentation System (NEXDOC). Find out how to register and access NEXDOC.
Export establishments
You need to register with us if you handle prescribed egg products for export. This applies to:
- freight forwarders
- manufacturers
- processors
- producers
- storage facilities
- laying establishments that pack products for export.
To register your establishment, you must:
- be approved for domestic purposes
- document the approved arrangement you will operate under
- submit an application to register an export establishment
- pay all outstanding debt owed to the Commonwealth
- pay all fees and charges.
We will conduct:
- a check of all staff listed in your application
- a check for any outstanding debt to the Commonwealth owed by the establishment
- an audit of your establishment to confirm details and effective implementation of your approved arrangement.
- If you want to export your own product (rather than sell to an exporter or another export registered establishment) you will also need to register as an exporter.
See more on registering as an establishment.
4
Complete this step if you are exporting goods manufactured by someone else.
You must only source products from an export registered establishment. You are responsible for making sure your supplier is registered with us.
5
Make sure you have all certificates, declarations and supporting documentation you need.
You must confirm that you have these documents when you request an export permit.
Declaration of compliance
Manufacturers of egg products for export are responsible for making a declaration of compliance.
The declaration confirms the goods are eligible for export, specifically that the product:
- is fit for human consumption
- meets all requirements under the Export Control (Egg and Egg Products) Rules 2021
- complies with importing country requirements.
Each shipment must have a declaration of compliance. The declaration must provide assurance that all products in the shipment comply.
Transfer declaration
When you receive or dispatch goods from your export registered establishment to another, you must make a transfer declaration. This does not apply if you are sending product straight to a wharf or airport.
The declaration must state that the product has been stored in accordance with:
- the Export Control (Egg and Egg Products) Rules 2021
- importing country requirements.
6
Get an export permit before your products are shipped from Australia.
You are legally required to get a valid export permit before exporting prescribed egg products.
When your egg products are ready for export, submit a Request for Export (REX) using our Next Export Documentation System (NEXDOC).
This can be completed by:
- exporters who are registered in NEXDOC
- agents for the exporter, if the exporter’s details are already registered in NEXDOC
- automated export permit issuers.
When submitting a request for export to obtain an export permit, you need to select the relevant egg product codes. Product codes are used in customs declarations and to link your permit to the registered establishment.
After a REX is approved, you will be issued with:
- an export permit, required for all shipments leaving Australia
- a health certificate, when required by the importing country.
7
Check if you need to make a customs export declaration.
All prescribed egg goods being exported from Australia must be accurately declared to Customs. You will be issued with an Export Declaration Number (EDN).
Goods not declared to Customs will not be allowed onto the wharf or airport.
Link NEXDOC and customs
To link your NEXDOC account with the customs system (ICS):
- Register your ABN in the customs system.
- Apply for access to the NEXDOC Single Electronic Window.
If you have completed steps 1-7 and your goods meet all requirements, you are now ready to export.
8
You are now ready to export
If you have completed steps 1-7 and met all requirements, you are now ready to export.