What is a CVO certificate?
A CVO - Veterinary Origin Certificate - is in practice the collective name for the veterinary export and origin certificates required for export of products of animal origin from the Netherlands to third countries, and for transit under veterinary status within the EU. It proves that the product comes from an approved establishment, complies with EU and destination country requirements regarding animal health and public health, and has been certified under supervision of the NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority).
In the modern EU system - laid down in among others Regulation (EU) 2017/625 (Official Controls Regulation) and the Animal Health Law - veterinary certifications run via the EU platform TRACES NT. There the certificates are digitally drawn up based on model forms agreed between the EU and the destination country. The NVWA veterinarian or authorized inspector validates and signs.
For import into the EU, the counterpart is the CHED (Common Health Entry Document), drawn up by a Border Control Post (BCP) such as Schiphol, Rotterdam or Maastricht. CHED-A applies to live animals, CHED-P to products of animal origin, CHED-PP to plants and plant products, and CHED-D to certain food products and animal feed. The shipment is only admitted once the BCP validates the CHED.
A veterinary certificate is not the same as a phytosanitary certificate (plants) or a health certificate for non-animal food - those have their own routes via Naktuinbouw, KCB, BKD or NVWA-Food. If in doubt about which regime applies, we map it out in 15 minutes.
When do you need a CVO or veterinary certificate?
For virtually every movement of animal products or live animals to a third country or via a veterinary destination. Specifically:
- Export of meat, dairy, eggs, honey or fish to destinations such as the UK, United States, China, Japan, Switzerland or the Middle East
- Export of live animals (horses, cattle, poultry, pets) - with additional requirements around welfare, transport times and certification
- By-products such as hides, wool, slaughter waste, gelatin, manure and animal meal under the rules for animal by-products (Regulation 1069/2009)
- Transit under veterinary supervision through the EU to a final destination outside the EU
- Import into the EU via a Border Control Post (CHED-A, CHED-P, CHED-D)
- Re-export of previously imported animal products to a third country
For sensitive product groups (perishables, live animals, vaccines, biologicals) timing is critical - a missed certification can cost an entire shipment. We therefore plan inspections and certification tightly around your production and transport planning.
What do we need to apply?
For a veterinary certificate we need:
- Commercial invoice and packing list with product description, lot numbers and weights
- EC approval number of the establishment where the product was produced (slaughterhouse, cutting plant, dairy company, etc.)
- HS codes and product category (chilled/frozen/shelf-stable)
- Destination country and consignee with full name and address
- Transport details: flight number/waybill, container, seal, temperature specification
- Health statuses and guarantees - depending on the model form (e.g. free of certain diseases, heat treatment declaration, lab results)
- TRACES link to your EORI - one-time setup
- Any earlier certificates for transit or re-export
For a first shipment to a new country we conduct an import requirements check in advance via the official databases of the destination country and the EU Market Access database. Prevents a lot of trouble.
How does the process work?
1. Intake and requirements check (1-2 hours) We map out the right model form in TRACES, the inspection requirements and any additional guarantees.
2. Application in TRACES NT We digitally draft the certificate with all products, lot numbers, guarantees and transport details.
3. NVWA inspection and validation An NVWA veterinarian checks (physically or administratively, depending on product and destination), signs and validates the certificate in TRACES.
4. Certificate issuance You receive the signed certificate as a PDF. Some countries also require a physical copy - we arrange that in parallel.
5. Linking to the customs declaration The CVO/export certificate is linked to your export declaration via the MRN. The shipment can depart once all documents come together.
Processing time: typically within 1 business day after complete delivery. For regular flows we schedule standard windows with the NVWA, often with same-day issuance.
What does it cost at DouaneDoc?
| Scenario | Rate |
|---|---|
| Standard veterinary export certificate (1 product, 1 destination) | on request |
| Multi-line certificate / multiple lot numbers | on request |
| CHED-P import via BCP Schiphol | on request |
| Transit under veterinary supervision (incl. T1 link) | on request |
| First shipment support new destination + requirements check | on request |
NVWA fees and any inspection costs are passed through 1-to-1 according to the official rate.
Example 1 - dairy exporter ships chilled products weekly to the UK: standard veterinary certificate in TRACES, fixed schedule, on request per shipment.
Example 2 - live horses to Switzerland: certificate with additional guarantees, NVWA inspection on site, link to T1 for transit - on request including driver support.
Example 3 - importer of fishery products via Schiphol: CHED-P preparation, coordination with BCP, NVWA inspection, link to import declaration - on request per shipment.
Common mistakes and how we prevent them
1. Wrong model form in TRACES Many countries change models annually. We always check the most recent model in the official database before drafting.
2. Establishment without valid approval A product from a non-approved or non-listed establishment for the destination is bluntly refused. We verify approval in advance.
3. Discrepancy between invoice, certificate and declaration Lot numbers, weights or descriptions that don’t match cause an immediate problem at the BCP of the destination country. We safeguard consistency across all documents.
4. Late application for perishables A chilled or frozen shipment doesn’t wait. We schedule NVWA inspection and certification in advance based on your production schedule, not when the truck pulls up.
Why DouaneDoc?
- TRACES NT expertise - we work in the system daily and know the model forms per destination
- Direct line with NVWA Schiphol and NVWA Central - short response times for questions or inspections
- Practically located in Aalsmeer, near Schiphol Cargo and the BCP - where many veterinary flows converge
- AEO-F certified with a watertight file per shipment
- One partner for your veterinary certificate and the export declaration or import declaration
Are you planning a first shipment to a new destination, or looking for a reliable link for your ongoing flows? Call 088 088 2407 or email sales@aircargo.nl.