Export Procedures For Shell Eggs To European Union

EXPORT PROCEDURES FOR SHELL EGGS TO THE EUROPEAN UNION 07/28/2026
 

• LP-210S Online Exhibit
• Model Certificate (pdf)
• Model Certification Completion Instructions (For Industry) (pdf)

Purpose

This instruction outlines the certification requirements for European Union Class B shell eggs as used for breaking stock.

General Procedures

1. Facility Requirements

1. To export eggs and egg products to the European Union (EU), facilities must be on the EU’s list of approved establishments prior to shipment. This registration is the responsibility of management (not AMS graders) and should be completed through the USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To register, follow instructions at the FDA’s Online applications for Export Lists. For assistance with export listing registration, contact the Export Certification Team at CFSANExportCertification@fda.hhs.gov
    
2. In addition to registration, facilities must undergo an audit by USDA AMS to verify compliance with EU Article 118, which sets requirements related to the use of antimicrobials used in human health and for growth promotion. Compliant facilities will be maintained on the Official Listing: USDA EV Program for Suppliers of Shell Eggs for Processing for the EU. Only facilities appearing on this list and the list in part A above will be eligible for certification.
   
   Audit requirements and procedures may be found here: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/egg-products-european-union
    
3. Production facilities must apply a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system or an equivalent system. Other audit-based programs used to verify HACCP compliance may be evaluated for suitability by the National Shell Egg Office.

2. Grade Requirements

The shell eggs processed under the supervision of the USDA grader must be graded and certified as U.S. Grade B or better as outlined in the United States Standards, Grades and Weight Classes for Shell Eggs (AMS 56).

4. Animal Health Verification
   
   Once Animal Health status is verified, the certification statements are made on the EU (Model E) Certificate. No Disease-Free Statement shall be issued.
    
5. Individual Egg Stamping
   
   European Union regulation (EU) 2023/2465 Article 9 states that Class B Eggs shall bear a stamp to distinguish them from Class A Eggs. Article 10 of this regulation states that Member States of the EU may exempt operators at their request from marking obligations provided the eggs are delivered directly from the production site to the food industry.
   
   It is the responsibility of management to determine whether the destination EU member state will exempt eggs from this stamping requirement. If eggs are not to be stamped, some form of documentation originating from the importer or country must be provided to the AMS Grader at the facility certifying the shipment. If eggs are to be stamped, the grader shall ensure that eggs are legibly marked using an approved ink and will apply QAD 709 tolerances for legibility of stamps.
   When eggs are stamped, each egg must be marked with a circle minimum 12 millimeters in diameter surrounding the letter “B” that must be a minimum 5 millimeters in height. Any color of a USDA-approved marking ink may be used.
    
6. Packing Case Labeling
   
   In addition to all requirements in General Export Instructions, each case must be labeled with

1. Each primary container and shipping container must be identified with the full name and address, official plant number and date of packaging.
    
2. The statements “Class B Shell Eggs”, “non-EU Standard” and “Country of Origin – US”

7.  Certification

Do not issue a Disease-Free Statement for shipments to the EU. European Union shipments require the issuance of the following two documents.

1. Form LP-210S
   USDA AMS will complete a form LP-210S that will be issued to the applicant for the purpose of completing the EU (Model E) Certificate. The LP-210S document itself should be considered informational in nature and does not need to be forwarded to the destination country. The LP-210S should also not be stamped with the USDA Graded for Export Stamp. The USDA Grader is not responsible for completing the EU (Model E) Certificate.
   
   When completing the certificate (Form LP-210S) the following information must be included:
    

• Net weight declaration, in Kilograms
• Gross weight declaration, in Kilograms
• Company seal number
• Lay date(s) of all eggs certified (DD/MM/YYYY) or (DD/MM/YYYY – DD/MM/YYYY)
  
  Gross weight is the weight of the full case of eggs including all packing and packaging materials. It does not include pallets or shrinkwrap film.

2. The Model Health Certificate
   
   The Applicant or Seller will use the form LP-210S issued by the grader to complete the EU (Model E) Certificate. Instructions for completing the form may be found here.
   
   The completed EU Model Certificate and the completed LP-210S must then be forwarded to LPStandardsandSpecificationsShellEgg@usda.gov. The national office will review, sign, and return the document to the requesting party.