Meat may only enter the EU from listed third countries and listed establishments.
Every consignment travels with an official health certificate and is checked at a border control post.
Once released, imported meat follows the same labelling rules as meat from the EU.
Meat may only be imported from third countries or regions listed for the species concerned, and from establishments listed for export to the EU. The lists are set by the European Commission.
The animal health lists of third countries are laid down in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 (EUR-Lex); the public health conditions in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/405 (EUR-Lex).
An official health certificate signed by the veterinary authority of the exporting country, the commercial documents, and the Common Health Entry Document for products (CHED-P), created in the EU’s TRACES system before arrival.
The model certificates are laid down in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 (EUR-Lex). For halal meat, the halal certificate is an additional commercial document; it does not replace any official certificate.
At an EU border control post at the first point of entry. Officials carry out documentary, identity and physical checks before the consignment is released.
Legal basis: Articles 47 and 49 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on official controls (EUR-Lex). The checks and their result are recorded in TRACES.
Imported meat follows the same rules as meat from the EU: food information under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, beef labelling under Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 and origin labelling under Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1337/2013, naming the third country where applicable.
For beef imported from third countries for which not all information is available, Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 (EUR-Lex) allows the indication “Origin: non-EC” together with “Slaughtered in” and the name of the third country.
Meat from EU Member States moves freely in the single market without border checks. It must come from approved establishments, carry the identification mark and travel with its commercial documents.
For buyers in Spain or another Member State, sourcing within the EU is therefore simpler administratively. For exports from the EU to MENA countries, the rules of the importing country apply, including veterinary certificates and often a halal certificate from a recognised body.
Last updated: October 2026This page provides general information on the meat trade, halal practice and EU food law. It is not legal, tax or religious advice. The binding information for each lot is given in its offer, on its label and in its accompanying documents.
No. The halal certificate is a private document. Entry into the EU requires the official health certificate and the checks at the border control post.
The operator responsible for the consignment, or their representative, completes part I of the CHED-P before the consignment arrives.
We clarify per order whether we deliver meat already released for free circulation in the EU or coordinate the import. Responsibilities are set out in the offer.
Tell us which species and cuts, fresh or frozen, approximate quantities, the destination and the halal standard you need. We reply personally with questions or a written offer.
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