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.

HRFNAO includes: 

• food and feed not of animal origin (FNAO) with known or emerging risk to public health  
• unauthorised genetically modified rice in rice products originating from China

If HRFNAO has been cleared for the EU market, you can currently import it to Great Britain without border checks. You’ll need to follow the process to notify authorities in Great Britain. Imports can enter Great Britain at any point of entry. 

If HRFNAO has been processed in the EU, it becomes a product of the EU and is not subject to these requirements.

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

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

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.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.

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

Importing HRFNAO from the EU from 31 January 2024 

Although risk categories for many products will be introduced from 31 January 2024 under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), HRFNAO is not included in this categorisation.  

From 31 January, you’ll need to submit a CHED-D notification on IPAFFS for all consignments of HRFNAO from the EU. 

You will also need a laboratory report and a health certificate exists(also forcalled youran product,‘official certificate’) if you import the following HRFNAO: 

• rice products from China listed in Annex 1 of 2011/844  
• products listed in Annex 2 of 2019/1793 
• Chernobyl affected products listed in Annex 2 of 2020/1158 

All HRFNAO imports will need onecommercial documents. 

Laboratory reports 

Full laboratory analyses must be provided for HRFNAO products to importscreen for various contaminants. The screening process and what to screen for depends on your product. 

Laboratory analyses must be dated no more than 6 months before the health certificate for your product. They must be accompanied by a declaration from the EU.competent authority where the sample was tested. 

Health certificates 

YouThese mustare attachalso referred to as ‘official certificates’.  

The EU exporter must: 

• apply for the export health certificate (EHC) in their own country – competent authorities should use model health certificates to create versions that exporters can apply for 
• give you an electronic copy to yourupload importto notificationIPAFFS 

The in health certificate is valid for 4 months from the date of issue but no longer than 6 months from the date of the results of the last laboratory analyses. 

You must upload any accompanying documents to your IPAFFS. notifications. These could be:  

• an invoice 
• the packing list 
• the bill of lading or airway bill 

ContactThe document must travel with the FSAconsignment. 

Read more about importing HRFNAO (imported.food@food.gov.uk) ifunder youthe haveBorder anyTarget questions.Operating Model.

Moving Importing HRFNAO from Northernfrom Irelandthe toEU Greatfrom Britain30 April 2024 

YouFrom can30 move April 2024, new checks at the border on all HRFNAO from Northernimported Irelandfrom tothe GreatEU Britainwill ifbe they’re qualifyingintroduced. NorthernAll IrelandHRFNAO goodsmust enter via a point of entry that has the relevant Border Control Post.

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.