Import high-risk food and feed not of animal origin from the EU to Great Britain

This guidance applies to businesses in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) importing or moving high-risk food or feed not of animal origin (HRFNAO) from the EU and Northern Ireland.

You need to follow different guidance if you’re importing:

• animal by-products (ABP)
• food and drink that are products of animal origin (POAO)
• composite products from the EU and Northern Ireland
• live animals and germinal products
• live animals, including equines and animal products, from non-EU countries

HRFNAO can present risks to human health because of aflatoxins, pesticides, salmonella or dioxins.

Notify authorities in Great Britain about imports from the EU

You must submit an import notification on the import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) to notify authorities in Great Britain about all imports of HRFNAO from the EU, except the Republic of Ireland.

You must do this at least one working day before the HRFNAO is expected to arrive at the point of entry.

You’ll get a notification reference number when you submit your import notification. The format of this number will be IMP.GB.YYYY.1XXXXXX.

Add information about the approved business you’re importing from

You need to add information to IPAFFS about the approved business you’re importing from, if it’s coming from:

• the EU
• Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Faroes or Greenland

Follow these steps to add the approved business:

1. Sign in or register to use IPAFFS.
2. On the ‘Traders addresses’ page, select ‘Add a place of origin’, then select ‘Create a new place of origin’.
3. In the ‘Place of origin name’ field, enter the full name of the exporting business.
4. In the ‘Place of origin’ fields, enter the full address, telephone number, country and email address for the business.
5. Save these details. Details will be saved to your address book so that you can use them again.
6. Add the approved business to your pre-notification.

If you need help with import notifications

For help with your import notification, email the Food Standards Agency (FSA): imported.food@food.gov.uk

Check what documents you need

If a health certificate exists for your product, you will need one to import from the EU.

You must attach the health certificate to your import notification in IPAFFS.

Contact the FSA (imported.food@food.gov.uk) if you have any questions.

Moving HRFNAO from Northern Ireland to Great Britain

You can move HRFNAO from Northern Ireland to Great Britain if they’re qualifying Northern Ireland goods.

If you need help

Contact the FSA if you’re not sure about anything in this guide. Email: imported.food@food.gov.uk

If you need help with your customs declaration

Contact HMRC for help.