Food products imported into the UK are often subject to port health controls and restrictions.
We have our own in-house Customs Clearance and Port Health department, who are able to offer advice and information on what controls may apply to your goods.
If you are importing food products and feed into the UK, these consignments may be subject to port health controls and restrictions.
Port health authorities are, in most cases, the UK local authority where a port or airport is located. Port health controls are in place to protect the public, environmental and animal health of the UK.
Amongst a range of port health controls at the UK border, port health will carry out checks on imported food.
Examinations are conducted by port health officers and veterinarians, who are specialist qualified staff.
When dealing with any shipment subject to port health restrictions, we use our knowledge to ensure that your goods go through this process as quickly and efficiently as possible. We take pride in ensuring our clients are regularly updated regarding the status of their consignments.
We have provided guidance pages on some of the most common imports subject to port health controls.
Our in-house Customs Clearance and Port Health Department are can assist with any queries in relation to what controls may apply to your goods and have years of experience of dealing with these regulations.
Imports of organic products are subject to border controls to ensure that organic consignments comply with organic product standards.
These standards need to be met for products to be legally sold as organic in the UK. This is for the protection of manufacturers and consumers.
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.
Rice imports into the UK are subject to licencing.
Generally, if the quantity of rice within a consignment exceeds a specified minimum weight (indicated by the tariff classification code) then an import licence will be required.
Imports of certain non-animal origin products from outside the EU are deemed to be ‘high risk’.
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 or EU.
