Transition to Electronic Certification (eSPS) for Imported Meat and Milk (for Food-Producing Animals) from New Zealand to Singapore

To Importers of meat and milk (for food-producing animals) from New Zealand

Dear Sir / Madam

Transition to Electronic Certification (eSPS) for Imported Meat and Milk (for Food-Producing Animals) from New Zealand to Singapore

          Since 12 May 2023, New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (NZ MPI) has been issuing both paper sanitary certificates and electronic certificates (eSPS) for import of meat and milk (for food-producing animals) to Singapore. With effect from 1 September 2026, NZ MPI will transit to a fully paperless arrangement by issuing only eSPS (secured data) for these products. Paper sanitary certificates will no longer be issued. Please be advised that eSPS has the same validity as paper sanitary certificates issued by NZ MPI.

Action required by importers and their authorised declaring agents to access eSPS enquiry service

2          To facilitate permit declaration, importers and their authorised declaring agents can retrieve eSPS details (e.g. certificate reference number, HS and product codes, quantities and approved establishment code) from the Customs eServices, eSPS enquiry service portal. Below are the steps to access eSPS enquiry service portal:

a) Importers and their authorised declaring agents must first have their own Corppass account that is assigned with digital service "Customs eServices", which can be done at https://www.corppass.gov.sg/, before accessing eSPS enquiry service.

b) Thereafter, importers and their authorised declaring agents can retrieve and trace their eSPS via www.customs.gov.sg > eServices > Search for “Electronic Sanitary and Phytosanitary (e-SPS) Enquiry Service” or via the URL go.gov.sg/espsenquiry.

c) To allow declaring agent(s) to retrieve e-SPS details for permit declaration purpose, importers must inform Singapore Customs of their declaring agent(s) via www.customs.gov.sg > eServices > Search for “Choose your International Connectivity Services & Authorise your Declaring Agent” or via the URL go.gov.sg/aut-da. Declaring agents cannot retrieve eSPS details unless authorised by the importer. Importers are advised to authorise their declaring agent(s) before 1 September 2026 to ensure a smooth transition.

3          Importers and declaring agents are strongly encouraged to begin transitioning to eSPS as early as possible to familiarise yourselves with the process of retrieving eSPS details from the eSPS enquiry service portal. An eSPS Certificate Guide is available on SFA’s website for reference.

Virtual workshop for importers and their authorised declaring agents

4          To better equip importers and declaring agents, SFA has planned for a virtual workshop on 21 July 2026 at 2.30 to 3 p.m. via TEAMS to demonstrate on the process of retrieving eSPS details from the eSPS enquiry service portal.  Please register for the training session at https://go.gov.sg/registrationforvirtualworkshoponesps by 13 July 2026 to facilitate our administrative and registration arrangements. The TEAMS invite will be sent to those who have registered at a nearer date to the workshop. You are highly encouraged to attend the session.

Further information

5          An FAQ is appended in Annex to help address common queries that you may have. For further assistance, you may reach out to us as follow:

ISSUED BY:

Annex

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q1: Do I need to log in to Customs eServices to use the eSPS Enquiry Service?

A1: Yes, you will firstly require a Corppass account that is assigned with digital service "Customs eServices", which can be done at https://www.corppass.gov.sg/. Then log in to www.customs.gov.sg > eServices > Search for “Electronic Sanitary and Phytosanitary (e-SPS) Enquiry Service” or via the URL go.gov.sg/espsenquiry to use the service.

Q2: What information can I retrieve from the eSPS Enquiry Service?

A2: Importers and their authorised declaring agents can retrieve eSPS data such as certificate reference number, HS and product codes and their respective product description, quantities and approved establishment codes, to facilitate permit declarations. Information available is similar to what you are receiving via paper sanitary certificate now. Importers/authorised declaring agents may refer to eSPS Certificate Guide for more information. The eSPS data is also available for download into importers’/authorised declaring agents’ local drive for use within their own systems.

Q3: What happens if other importer/declaring agent happen to perform the query using my Certificate Reference Number? Will they be able to view my consignment details?

A3: Only eSPSs relevant to the importer/declaring agent will be displayed. Declaring agents need to be authorised by importers before they are able to view the eSPS details.

Q4: Are we able to retrieve eSPS relating to imports of other products from New Zealand?

A4: The current scope of the e-SPS Enquiry Service only covers imports of meat and milk products (for food-producing animals) with New Zealand. There are plans to expand the Service to include other products in future.

Q5: How do I add or remove declaring agent if there are changes to my declaring agent(s)?

A5: Importers can do so via www.customs.gov.sg > eServices > Search for “Choose your International Connectivity Services & Authorise your Declaring Agent” or via the URL go.gov.sg/aut-da to remove the authorisation.

Q6: Are there any fees incurred to use eSPS?

A6: The use of eSPS is currently provided without charge. However, fees may be introduced in the future to support cost recovery, if necessary.

Q7: Is eSPS recognised by SFA and does it have the same validity as paper sanitary certificates?

A7: Yes, SFA recognises the use of eSPS, and it has the same validity as paper sanitary certificates issued by NZ MPI.