New Food Import Controls into Great Britain for 2022

Final Stages of Post-Brexit Controls on Imported Foods 

What is Defra?

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is a UK government department responsible for regulations and policies covering the environment, rural issues and food. These responsibilities embrace the restrictions on bringing meat, dairy, fish and animal products, and fruit, vegetable, nuts and seeds into Great Britain. Please note that there are different rules for importing food or animal products into Northern Ireland. 

What is IPAFFS?

The Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) is a web-based system used for applications and issuing of CHEDs (Common Health Entry Documents). Importers must use IPAFFS to notify government authorities before importing most consignments of animal products and products of non-animal origin. Please note that as from 1 January to 30 June 2022, importers are required to notify each product type on IPAFFS and not the full consignment in one notification. As from 1 July 2022, importers will need to submit a pre-notification for each export health certificate issued for the consignment.

Information needed for pre-notification on IPAFFS:

• The type of animal product or goods being imported (POAO, ABP, HRFNAO)
• Origin of the animal product or goods
• Commodity code
• Commodity type
• Species of the commodity
• Commodity weight (net kg)
• Date of arrival into GB
• Reason for importing consignment (internal market, transit, research, etc)
• Consignment’s place of destination
• Addresses and contact details for place of origin, importer and place of destination
• Details of port of entry

What are CHEDs (Common Health Entry Documents)?

The Common Health Entry Document (CHED) must be used by operators/importers for the mandatory prior notification of consignments to the authority responsible for the Border Control Post (BCP). Notification is made by the submission of a CHED with part one completed. The signed original CHED must be submitted to Port Health along with relevant documents, if applicable. Part two of the CHED is completed by Port Health when all checks are completed and subsequently stamped by Port Health. The original CHED is returned to the importer/agent and must accompany the consignment to the first destination shown on the CHED.

What are Export Health Certificates?

The exporter needs an Export Health Certificate (EHC) to export animal products to Great Britain. An Export Health Certificate is an authorised document that confirms that foods or animal products exported meet the health and quality requirements of Great Britain. The EHC must be signed by a vet or other qualified person in the exporting country after they have inspected the goods.

Defra state the following:

• Competent authorities in EU and non-EU countries must provide a health certificate to exporters of animals and animal products to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
• Competent authorities should use the relevant model health certificate as a template to create the health certificate for exporters. The model health certificates cover all of the import requirements for animals and animal products in Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
• Canada, New Zealand and the United States have bilateral model health certificates with Great Britain for some animals or animal products.

What are Phytosanitary Certificates?

Phytosanitary Certificates are provided by the exporter for the export of plants and plant products into Great Britain. Phytosanitary Certificates cover controlled plants, fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and regulated objects, such as farm machinery. 

What is a Border Control Post (BCP)?

The Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) state that:

A Border Control Post is an inspection post designated and approved in line with GB legislation for carrying out checks on animals and animal products arriving from third countries at the GB border. These checks are carried out to protect animal and public health, and animal welfare.

Animals and animal products from countries outside the EU must be imported via an approved Border Control Post (BCP), where they undergo veterinary checks before they are allowed to enter Great Britain.

What are Port Health Checks?

HM Revenue and Customs state the following:

There are three levels of check carried out - documentary, identity and physical.

• In the documentary check, the health certificates and any accompanying laboratory test results are checked for authenticity and cross-matched with the details of the commercial documents to ensure that they relate to the consignment.
• The identity check involves the inspection of the consignment, checking the container seals and often the packaging of the goods to ensure that the goods match the information on the certification. Labelling and health marking will also be checked.
• The physical inspection of the goods involves the inspection of the product. The packaging will be opened, and the product examined to ensure that it is safe to eat and that it is the same product as certified. Where appropriate, the inspector will make an organoleptic (sight, smell, taste) assessment of the product. Samples may also be taken for laboratory assessment.

What are Composite Products?

The Foods Standards Agency states that a composite product is defined in legislation as a ‘foodstuff intended for human consumption that contains both processed products of animal origin and products of plant origin.

Further assistance with Importing Food Products

I can provide further advice and guidance with all aspects of importing foods into Great Britain. For more information, please contact me on 0118 932 8447 or by e-mail:  info@icsglobalservices.co.uk

Ian Simmonds

ICS Global Services