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: