TRACES NT (Trade Control and Expert System New Technology) is the European Commission’s official online platform for managing all sanitary (health) and phytosanitary (plant health) import certification and documentation.
Here’s how it works, and how you can use it.
Table of Contents
What is TRACES NT?
TRACES NT (Trade Control and Expert System New Technology) is the European Commission’s official online platform for managing all sanitary (health) and phytosanitary (plant health) import certification and documentation.
| Feature | Description |
| Purpose | To centralize, digitize, and track all official certificates for goods entering the EU that are subject to mandatory controls. This ensures safety, health, and traceability. |
| Function | It is used by importers, customs agents, and EU competent authorities (like the Belgian FAVV-AFSCA) to pre-notify, process, verify, and validate import consignments at Border Control Posts (BCPs). |
| Mandate | Its use is mandatory for all products falling under the Official Controls Regulation (OCR). |
The Three Mandatory Certificates in TRACES NT
For food imports, there are three main types of official documents managed in TRACES NT, each tied to a specific type of risk or certification.
| Document Type | Acronym | Product Category | Purpose / Requirement |
| Common Health Entry Document – Product | CHED-P | Products of Animal Origin (POAO): Meat, dairy, eggs, fish, honey, gelatin. | ALWAYS REQUIRED. Mandatory health certificate to ensure products meet EU sanitary standards. |
| Common Health Entry Document – Plants | CHED-PP | Live plants, most fresh fruits, vegetables, and certain plant products. | USUALLY REQUIRED. Mandatory Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) for plant health controls. |
| Common Health Entry Document – Document | CHED-D | Food/Feed of Non-Animal Origin (FNAO), e.g., Spices, Nuts, Rice, Coffee, Tea. | ONLY IF HIGH-RISK. Required only if the specific product/country combination is listed on the EU’s “High-Risk” list (Regulation 2019/1793). |
| Certificate of Inspection | COI | All organic and in-conversion products (FNAO and POAO). | ONLY IF ORGANIC. Mandatory to verify the organic status of the product for customs clearance. |
How to Know if Your Food Needs TRACES
The key distinction is between High-Risk (requires TRACES/CHED-D) and Standard Risk (does not require TRACES).
1. The Decision on Safety (CHED-D)
Most non-animal, dry goods (like conventional tea, dried beans, pasta, etc.) are Standard Risk and DO NOT require a CHED-D in TRACES, unless the product/country combination is placed on the “High-Risk List”.
- The Law: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 (and its subsequent amendments).
- The Content: This list changes frequently based on reports of contamination (e.g., Aflatoxins in nuts, Salmonella in spices, Ethylene Oxide in sesame). It specifies the exact CN Code, the Country of Origin, the Hazard, and the required frequency of checks (e.g., 5%, 20%, 50%).
- Example: Tea from China is often listed on Regulation 2019/1793 due to pesticide concerns, which would require a CHED-D. Tea from Japan is generally not on this list, meaning a CHED-D is not required.
2. The Decision on Organic Status (COI)
The requirement for a COI is a separate legal mandate from the health/safety checks.
- The Law: Regulation (EU) 2018/848 (the EU Organic Regulation).
- The Rule: If you intend to market or sell the product as “Organic” anywhere in the EU, a COI is mandatory, regardless of the product’s CN code or origin country.
- The Process: The COI must be digitally issued in TRACES NT by the exporter’s Control Body in the third country, and it must be verified and endorsed by the competent authority (like the Belgian FAVV) via TRACES before the consignment is released into free circulation.
How to Get Access to TRACES
To obtain the certificates you need, you’ll need to register as an operator on the platform.
Start by creating an account, then log in. You will be able to apply as an operator directly within the platform. However, the validation of your application will depend on your local food chain security agency.
Once you’ve applied, reach out to the national institution in charge of food security and ask them to process your application. If you fail to reach out to them, your application won’t be processed.
The Only Way to Be Sure (The TARIC Database)
The single most reliable way to determine all import requirements (duties, taxes, and mandatory certificates) for any product entering the EU is to use the official TARIC database.
| Step | Action | Purpose |
| 1. Find the Code | Identify the Combined Nomenclature (CN) Code for your product (it is usually 8 digits). If importing, you will use the full 10-digit TARIC code. | The code dictates the legal requirements. Example: Green Tea in packages of $\leq 3$ kg is 0902 10 00 00. |
| 2. Access TARIC | Navigate to the EU TARIC Consultation website. | This is the official EU Customs database. |
| 3. Check Measures | Enter your CN code and the Country of Origin, then click “Retrieve Measures”. | The system will display every non-tariff measure (certificate/restriction) that applies. |
| 4. Look for Indicators | Scroll down and look for measures with the term “Import Control” or “Certification”. This is where you will find the requirement for a CHED-D, CHED-P, or COI. | If a specific certificate is required, the measure will be listed there by its legal basis (e.g., Reg. 2019/1793) or by its purpose (e.g., “Organic Production”). |
Conclusion
The TRACES platform is important to be familiar with for entrepreneurs looking to import food into the EU.
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