Before importing
There are a number of important considerations before importing food. It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that products imported into the UK, or any other European Union (EU) country, are safe and legal. Failure to comply with UK and EU hygiene and safety rules could cause delay in shipments, increase costs and require action to be taken by enforcement authorities.
All food imported into the UK must comply with the food hygiene requirements of Commission Regulation (EC) 852/2004, and there are additional measures for imports of food of animal origin under Commission Regulation (EC) 853/2004.
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Product and supplier checks
Importers must ensure that their goods are safe and legal before they are purchased from producers and imported into the UK.
Controls at point of entry into the UK
Some products can only come into the European Union (EU) through specific ports. For example, animal products (such as meat, dairy foods and fish) can only enter through a port with a Border Inspection Post (BIP). Some other foods that are not of animal origin have similar rules.
Major UK ports
There are a number of major sea ports and airports in the UK and all have Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) where checks can be performed on products with wholly or predominantly animal ingredients.
Exporting to the EU
In most cases animal products imported into the European Union (EU) must originate from a country that is approved to export that category of product to the EU. To become approved the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Commission (FVO) must visit the non-EU country and its establishments to check hygiene standards are equivalent to those in the EU.
European Commission guidance on imports
European Commission guidance and interpretation of the rules on hygiene of foodstuffs that came into force on 1 January 2006 is available.
Imports of products of non-animal origin: Guidance for businesses
Guidance notes for feed and food businesses on the imports provisions for products of non-animal origin are available.
Importing food for commercial use
Some frequently asked questions about importing food that you are planning to put on sale.