Port Health
Our in-house Customs Clearance and Port Health department provides guidance on port health controls and restrictions for food products imported into the UK.
Port health controls
Food and feed imported to the UK will often undergo port health controls and restrictions implemented by the local port health authorities. Port health authorities are, in most cases, the UK local authority where a port or airport is located.
These measures are designed to safeguard public, environmental, and animal health within the UK. Port health controls include inspections on imported food conducted by specialist-qualified staff such as port health officers and veterinarians among other border checks.
A swift and efficient process
When handling shipments subject to port health restrictions, we leverage our expertise to facilitate a swift and efficient process, keeping our clients informed of their consignment's status every step of the way.
We've developed guidance pages for common imports subject to port health controls and our in-house Customs Clearance and Port Health Department stands ready to address any inquiries, boasting years of experience navigating these regulations.
Organic Imports
Importing Organic Foodstuffs into the UK – Important Compliance Requirements
Businesses importing organic foodstuffs into Great Britain from non‑EU countries (Rest of World) must ensure they are fully compliant with UK organic import regulations before the goods are shipped.
Registration with a UK Organic Control Body – Mandatory for Rest of World Imports
Any UK‑based importer bringing organic goods into Great Britain from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland must be registered and certified with an approved UK organic official control body prior to import.
This requirement applies regardless of:
The value of the goods
Whether the goods are intended for sale or internal use
Whether a Certificate of Inspection (COI) has been issued overseas
Certificates of Inspection (COIs) – Rest of World Imports
For organic goods imported from outside the EU:
A GB Certificate of Inspection (COI) is required for every consignment
The COI must be issued and endorsed by the exporter’s recognised control body prior to dispatch
The importer must also be certified with a UK control body for the goods to be accepted as organic in the UK
Without valid UK organic certification in place, organic consignments risk delay, rejection, or being declassified as non‑organic at port of entry.
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Please see the below list of approved UK Organic Control Bodies:
The control body will determine the scope of certification and the products an importer is approved to handle.
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Importers should be aware that:
Registration and certification with a UK organic control body typically takes between 4 and 10 weeks
Certification includes application review, documentation checks, and an initial inspection
This process must be completed before organic goods are imported
Early planning is therefore essential to avoid disruption to supply chains.
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At present, organic goods imported into Great Britain from the EU, EEA and Switzerland do not require a Certificate of Inspection.
However, this is due to change. From February 2027, organic imports from the EU will:
Require a GB Certificate of Inspection (COI), aligning EU movements with current Rest of World import requirements
Require that the UK importer is registered with a UK organic control body
Importers trading in EU organic goods should prepare for these changes well in advance.
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As your customs clearance agent, we can assist with:
Advising on documentation requirements
Liaising with Port Health Authorities and Customs
Identifying issues when additional regulatory information is requested at the border
However, registration with a UK organic control body remains the responsibility of the importer, and confirmation of certification status is not always visible to agents unless requested by authorities.
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If you are planning to import organic goods into the UK and would like guidance on:
UK organic certification requirements
The Certificate of Inspection process
Upcoming regulatory changes
Please contact our team, we’re here to help ensure your imports move smoothly and compliantly.
Tel: 01579 386000
Email: customsclearance@nsa.com
Products of Animal Origin (POAO)
Products of animal origin (POAO) encompass goods derived from animals or containing animal-derived ingredients, including food for direct human consumption and associated by-products.
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red meat, farmed game and poultry
fish and shellfish
dairy products
honey
animal by-products such as petfood dog chews, dried mealworms for wild bird feed, feathers, wool
hay and straw
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Goods derived from animals or containing ingredients derived from animals are known as products of animal origin (POAO). These can include foods for direct human consumption and by-products.
Importers must follow detailed procedures for certain types of POAO. Evidence of specific veterinary or health checks need to be provided to ensure products are allowed entry into the UK. Depending on classification, other documentation may be required.
If you intend to import POAO entry requirements should be carefully checked before the goods are transported, as consignments rejected by port health will either need to be re-exported or destroyed.
In general, POAO must be from an approved supplier. Most consignments will require a Veterinary Health Certificate to accompany the goods. Additionally, a Common Health Entry Document – POAP (CHEDP) will be required; this is produced in the UK before arrival and is then verified by the port health authority.
On arrival at the border, the paperwork and goods will be checked by the port health authority. Overall, three checks will be completed at the Border Inspection Post (BIP) before goods can be released:
Document Check – to ensure any heath certification and associated documents are provided and correct
Identity Check – to ensure the goods are the same as those on the paperwork
Physical Check – a physical examination of the shipment
For more information on regulations for POAO please speak our in-house Customs Clearance and Port Health department.
High Risk Foods Not of Animal Origin (HRFNAO)
Certain non-animal origin products imported from outside the EU are classified as 'high risk' due to their potential hazard to public and environmental health if they do not meet the same standards as those produced in the UK or EU.
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High risk goods are those that could be hazardous to public and environmental health if they have not been produced/manufactured to the same standards as a product produced in the UK.
For these high risk products, port health authorities have strict border controls to ensure that any imports of these consignments are accompanied by the correct documentation indicating they have been produced in accordance with regulatory standards. In some cases, imports of certain high risk products may be banned either temporarily or long-term.
In most cases an original Heath Certificate for the goods will be required which is accompanied by a Common Health Entry Document (CHED-D); this is produced via the IPAFFS system in the UK, prior to the goods arrival, and is then verified by the port health authority.
A full list of products currently deemed to be high risk can be found using the links below:
If a product is listed in Annex I it will require a CHED-D and commercial documents to be submitted in IPAFFS prior to the arrival of the consignment into GB - https://www.porthealth.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Website-Jan-26-Annex-I-products-table-with-IPAFFS-tariff-codes.pdf
If a product is listed in Annex II it will require a health certificate and the results of sampling and analysis in addition to the CHED-D and commercial documents in IPAFFS - https://www.porthealth.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Website-Jan-26-Annex-II-products-table.pdf
For more information on regulations for high risk goods please speak our in-house Customs Clearance and Port Health department, who regularly deal with high risk imports and have experience using IPAFFS.
