Imported food control

Under UK law, official controls ensure that imported products meet European Union (EU) standards for animal and public health.

The Border Control Post (BCP) at Immingham and Grimsby is owned and operated by Associated British Ports. Consignments are presented there on behalf of the importer/person responsible for the load, for examination by the Port Health Authority. The BCP is approved to handle frozen products of animal origin for human consumption.

Port Health follows a process that includes document checks and product examinations to establish the safety of imported products. A fee for this service is payable by the importer. The BCP is approved by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the EU, and is regularly audited by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to ensure standards are maintained.

Common Health Entry Documentation

A prior notification to IPAFFS is required. Documents provided by the Agent responsible for the import will checked upon submission to IPAFFS (import of products, animals, food and feed service).

CHED-P This document is used by the person responsible for the load as notification of the import and for the BCP to show the outcome of the any official checks. Established in Regulation (EU) 2019/1715, the CHED-P is completed by the Official Veterinary Surgeon (OVS) or fish inspector (OFI) after checks are finished.
CHED-D

Checks undertaken at the BCP

Documentary check: All POAO/HRFNAO/NAO imports are subjected to a documentary check, which includes an assessment of the CHED, public and/or animal health certificates, and accompanying commercial documentation (e.g., bill of lading, invoice, packing list).
Identity check: Consignments are also subject to an identity check, verifying that the product, identification marks, stamps, and other necessary product or package information conform to the declaration on the health certificates and EU legislation.
Physical check: A percentage of consignments must also be physically checked to ensure they are fit for their intended purpose. This may include sampling the product to look for pathogenic microorganisms or illegal contaminants such as veterinary drug residues or heavy metals.
Seal checks: A routine check on official seals.

Products of Animal Origin (POAO)

Products of Animal Origin (POAO) can only enter the EU through designated ports that have a Border Control Post (BCP). The Grimsby and Immingham BCP is specifically approved to handle chilled/frozen fishery products intended for human consumption. The role of the BCP includes:

Examination and controlled release into the UK of products of animal origin and other foodstuffs.
Detention, destruction, re-exportation, or other treatment of unsatisfactory products of animal origin and other foodstuffs.
Processing of import and movement documents associated with products of animal origin and specified high-risk foods.
Sampling of foodstuffs for analysis by the Public Analyst and/or HPA laboratory.

Immingham and Grimsby Port Health Authority is responsible for enforcing import controls on Products of Animal Origin (POAO) to protect public health and ensure compliance with UK legislation. All POAO consignments entering through these ports must be pre-notified via the IPAFFS system at least one working day before arrival and must pass through an approved Border Control Post (BCP). Imports are subject to documentary checks, identity verification, and physical inspections based on their risk category – low, medium, or high.

Common Health Entry Documents (CHED-P) must be submitted, and consignments must originate from approved establishments listed by DEFRA. Charges vary depending on risk level and consignment weight, with fees starting from £10 for low-risk POAO and up to £433.13 for high-risk consignments over 46 tonnes.

Products must also meet specific health certification and labelling requirements, and failure to comply may result in rejection, re-export, or destruction of goods. Our team works closely with importers to ensure smooth processing while maintaining high standards of food safety and animal welfare.

For guidance on how to categorize your goods, check risk categories for animals and animal products imported from the EU to Great Britain at GOV.UK.

Categories of POAO imports

Products of Animal Origin (POAO) are goods derived from animals and intended for human consumption. They are grouped into categories based on commodity type and risk level, which determines the type and frequency of import checks. The main categories include:

These contain both POAO and plant-based ingredients.
Meat Preparations and Meat Products
Risk level varies depending on processing and origin. Raw meat is generally medium or high risk.

Raw milk and colostrum-based products: Medium risk
Pasteurised or UHT-treated dairy products: Low risk

Fresh eggs and chilled/frozen egg products: Medium risk
Processed egg products: Low risk

Aquaculture and bivalve molluscs: Medium risk
Wild-caught fish: Low risk if accompanied by valid IUU documentation and meets specific criteria

These are typically low risk, especially when intended for human consumption and processed to reduce microbial hazards.

Generally considered low risk, but subject to documentary checks.

Products that are ambient-stable and processed (e.g., canned goods) are low risk, provided they meet all BTOM criteria.

The information above is only guidance and particular commodity codes that your goods are related to can be found on the trade tariff look up.

High Risk Food of Non-Animal Origin (HRFNAO)

Emergency controls on products

Importers should be aware that some products from specific countries are subject to emergency controls or increased official checks. These products can only enter the UK through designated border control posts (BCPs). Emergency controls are applied when particular foods of non‑animal origin show repeated non‑compliance or pose known risks such as pesticide residues, mycotoxins, or microbiological contamination.

Pistachios from Türkiye — increased border check frequency due to contamination risks.
Peppers from Thailand and Rwanda — listed for increased checks under updated EU controls.
Beans from Bangladesh — high‑risk classification based on recent RASFF data.
Strawberries from Egypt — added due to pesticide residue concerns.

Mangoes from Egypt — controlled for pesticide residues
Bottle gourds from India — controlled for pesticide residues
Tomatoes from Türkiye — pesticide‑related checks
Granadilla and passion fruit from Colombia — pesticide concerns
Vine leaves from Egypt
Yardlong beans from Sri Lanka — pesticide residue controls
Tahini and halva from Syria — Salmonella risk

These examples demonstrate the type of goods that fall under emergency or enhanced control categories.

Legislation for importing produce of non-animal origin

Aside from the general EU food safety framework (Regulation 178/2002), imported foods of non‑animal origin are regulated through Regulation 2019/1793, which sets rules for certain higher‑risk foods. Recent updates (e.g., Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/194) have adjusted inspection frequencies and product listings in response to risk trends. For example:

Some Indian commodities (okra, rice, vanilla) have been delisted due to improved compliance.
Brazilian black pepper and citrus from Egypt and Türkiye—reduced check rates following improved safety outcomes.
Indian peppers and calcium carbonate — moved to a less stringent category with no certification requirement.

Importing trade samples (Non-Animal Origin)

Trade samples of non‑animal origin food can generally enter GB freely if they:

Do not contain products of animal origin,
Are under 30 kg, and
Will not be consumed (e.g., samples for R&D, display, or laboratory testing).

If the samples are intended for taste testing, they must be safe, edible, and compliant with food safety law. Even free samples count as “food for sale” under the extended definition of sale in the Food Safety Act 1990.

Ensuring product safety

Importers must ensure that goods are safe and legally compliant before purchase and importation. Public Analysts can test samples via chemical or microbiological examination, though this is not a legal requirement.

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU)

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is one of the most significant threats to marine ecosystems. It undermines national and regional efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks, hindering progress towards long-term sustainability and responsible fishing practices. IUU fishing exploits corruption and weak management regimes, particularly in countries lacking the capacity and resources for effective monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS). It threatens marine biodiversity, livelihoods, exacerbates poverty, and increases food insecurity. The international community continues to focus on IUU fishing as a serious issue affecting the global fishing sector, impacting safety, environmental conservation, and sustainability. The Regulation applies to marine caught fishery products.

Products made up of fish and other ingredients may be covered by the Regulation. If the product falls under CN Code 03, 1604 or 1605, a catch certificate will be required. This applies where there is any wild caught fish content greater than 20%. Freshwater and farmed (aquaculture) fish and marine fish imported for ornamental purposes fall outside of the scope of the Regulation (see Regulation 1005/2008, Annex I.)

When Port Health are completing IUU checks on a consignment, there are certain documents that we will need to see to be able to endorse the catch certificates and release the consignment.

Dependant on the risk category (Low/Med/High), these are:

Copy of Original catch certificate(s) – Required when the country exporting the fish is the same as the country the fishing vessel is flagged to (this may be a printed electronic version dependant on the country issuing the catch certificate, e.g. Norway).
Importer’s declaration – All copies of catch certificates submitted must have the Importer’s declaration section completed by the importer or their representative. Please ensure all sections are completed: Name & Address, Signature, Date, CN code and company stamp.
When presenting more than one catch certificate, as an alternative a Multiple Catch Certificate Summary – Document can be downloaded, completed, signed and submitted with the catch certificate documentation.
Copy of processing statement (Annex IV) – Required when the fishery product(s) are processed (before export) in a country that is not the same as the flag state of the catching vessel. This must be endorsed by the competent authority in the country of processing.
Copy of storage document – Required when the fish is stored (before export) in a country that is not the same as the flag state of the catching vessel and/or processing country.
Copy commercial documents – T1/CMR, invoice and packing list. These should refer to the import into Great Britain.

All relevant imports that require an endorsed IUU for compliance, will undergo a documentary check to ensure the catch certificate and associated paperwork are valid and correspond to the consignment. The format of the catch certificate, along with the stamps and signatures of the Flag State, will be verified. Vessels will be cross-checked against the list of known IUU vessels (those previously engaged in illegal fishing activities). Additional checks may be conducted on catch areas and Regional Fishery Management Organisation information, where applicable.

If there is a discrepancy between the catch certificate and associated paperwork, further checks may be performed on the consignment, following current government guidelines.

Importing Chinese Plastic Kitchenware – requirements and controls

Plastic kitchenware made from polyamide (nylon) or melamine and originating in China or Hong Kong is subject to strict UK import controls. These controls are in place because such products may release harmful chemicals, specifically primary aromatic amines and formaldehyde, into food.

To import these items into Great Britain, businesses must supply:

Plastic declaration document (PDD): A completed PDD must accompany every consignment. This is submitted to Port Health as part of the pre‑notification process.
Laboratory analysis reports: Each product type must have valid test reports confirming:
- Polyamide kitchenware: No detectable release of primary aromatic amines (limit: 0.01 mg/kg)
- Melamine kitchenware: Formaldehyde migration not exceeding 15 mg/kg
Commercial and transport documentation
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading and transport documents: Documents must clearly show item descriptions, quantities, CN code, and country of origin.
- For polyamide/melamine kitchenware from China or Hong Kong, the required CN code is 3924 10 00 11.

Pre‑Notification Requirements

All consignments must be pre‑notified on PHILIS DES at least two working days before arrival at the designated Border Control Post (BCP).

Every shipment undergoes:

100% documentary checks
10% identity and physical checks, including sampling for laboratory analysis

Goods will not be released into free circulation until compliance is confirmed by Port Health and UK Customs.

Failure to meet the regulatory requirements may result in:

Detention of the consignment
Re‑export at the importer’s expense
Destruction of goods

UK authorities may also apply fees related to inspections and sampling

Contact details

General enquiries: [email protected]

01472 323609
[email protected]
Europarc Innovation Centre, Innovation Way, Grimsby, DN37 9TT

01472 323609
[email protected]
Border Control Post, Liddell Way, Immingham, DN40 1QW