Welcome to DAERA Export Certificate System (DECS)
DECS is the system exporters must use to apply for official certification for exports to all third countries, GB, within NI, and some exports to EU, as applicable.
DECS is similar to other public facing government systems with which you may be familiar and should make the export application process easier. A guide which includes screen shots of the application process is available on the DAERA Internet.
Please consult this guidance in the first instance. However, if you have persistent issues with accessing the system or submitting applications, please contact your local DAERA or Council office (as appropriate) in the first instance.
PLEASE NOTE:
Applications must be made at least 2 working days in advance of the intended date of dispatch, allowing one full working day for processing, e.g., apply by Tuesday for Thursday dispatch.
Applications can be made no more than 10 working days in advance of date of dispatch.
BANK / PUBLIC HOLIDAYS – SPRING BANK HOLIDAY 2026: DAERA PROCESSING OFFICE CLOSURES
DECS system users should note that the following date is a Bank Holiday and DAERA processing offices will be closed:
Exporters are strongly advised to review their expected EHC requirements and plan accordingly to take account of these closures.
NOTE: Users for whom DAERA does not certify EHC documents should check the effects of these holidays on service delivery for their certification provider.
MOVEMENT OF CONSIGNMENTS FROM NI WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
- It is the exporter’s responsibility to ensure that an EHC has been issued by DAERA, Local Authority Certifier or nominated aPVP before your consignment is dispatched from NI.
- It is also the exporter’s responsibility to be in possession of a completed certificate and check it is correct immediately after issue, and in all cases before the consignment leaves NI
- Submission of an application is no guarantee that an export health certificate, whether for an original or a replacement certificate, will be issued.
- DAERA takes no responsibility for consignments exported without certification in place prior to departure.
- Official certification will not be issued retrospectively once your consignment has left NI.
Embedded EHC Application Templates
Exporters should note that EHC application templates are now embedded into DECS, as advised in DAERA Information Note issued 30/01/2026.
This means that you will be asked to complete the application on-screen rather than uploading a PDF EHC, however supporting documents should continue to be uploaded as normal as appropriate.
If you are not provided with an option to select the EHC application template you require, you should contact DAERATradeExports@daera-ni.gov.uk for advice.
For information: Any information you provide in your DECS application is handled in accordance with the requirements of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR 2016) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
The DAERA Privacy Statement Document is available at the link below:
DAERA Privacy Statement document - Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk)
HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS SYSTEM?
When accessing the DAERA Export Certificate System (DECS), exporter users may encounter issues with the functions available.
Examples could range from being unable to upload a document or successfully apply for an EHC to not receiving a confirmation email.
In these instances, exporters are asked to provide full details of the problem (including the system name, screenshots and any error messages) to DAERA at the following email address: DAERATradeExports@daera-ni.gov.uk
EXPORTER NOTICES - Important messages about the DECS service and export requirements are displayed below. We strongly recommend regular review of this information, as it may affect your export consignment.
ADDITIONAL SCHEDULES UPDATED
Please be aware - the additional schedules available at the below DAERA Website link have been updated.
Exporters are advised to ensure that if these schedules are being used in support of an export application, the versions at the below link must be used.
Outdated versions retained locally must be disregarded.
Schedule for additional product information - Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
16 April 2026 - Consignments transiting Türkiye
As of 01 April 2026, Türkiye requires certificate 8943 for products subject to veterinary controls transiting Türkiye for export to a third country.
If the consignment will transit Türkiye, exporters are encouraged to determine if their product is subject to veterinary controls for this purpose and, if necessary, apply for certificate 8943 in addition to the certificate for the final destination country.
When applying for certificate 8943, the exporter will be expected to provide the reference number of the completed EHC for the final destination country (e.g. 26/3/XXXXXX).
This will require that the final destination EHC application is made before any application for certificate 8943, and exporters should build this into their timeline for such exports.
12 January 2026- EHC 7540 – Export of Dairy Products from Cows, Sheep, Goats and Buffaloes to TURKEY
Exporters should be aware that this EHC is now available for use again, however it must only be used for export of products manufactured in UK establishments which are approved for the relevant commodity on the Republic of Türkiye’s official list of approved establishments, TROIS, found here: https://trois.tarimorman.gov.tr
You must check that the manufacturing establishment is listed here before you make an export application
Crown Gold Paper Removal- Participating Third Countries
For full details of all participating third countries, please view the Crown Gold Paper Removal- Participating Third Countries and other guidance document which can be found at the below link:
www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/northern-ireland-third-country-exports-information