Imported Food Control

One of our main duties is to control the importation of non-EU imported foodstuffs under both UK and EU legislation.

The Port of Hull is an approved EU Border Inspection Post (BIP) (Approval No. GB HUL 1) for the clearance of frozen, chilled & ambient consignments under the Products of Animal Origin Regulations and the EU Veterinary Checks Regime.

The Authority's Official Veterinary Surgeon, supervises the veterinary checks at the BIP. The Port Health Inspectors are the Official Fish Inspectors.

Associated British Ports are the "BIP Operator". They provide and maintain the Inspection Centre at King George Dock, Hull.

Importers intending to import products of animal origin from non-EU countries MUST pre-notify the Authority at least 24 hours in advance. They are also advised to check that all relevant conditions for that product and source are fulfilled prior to import. It should be noted that severe penalties are possible for non-compliance.

Advice is freely available from the Food Standards Agency website www.food.gov.uk or by contacting officers of the Authority. The DEFRA website is also a valuable resource www.defra.gov.uk

All products of animal origin introduced into the EU from 3rd countries must be presented at a BIP for checking. An extensive list of animal products requiring checks can be found in Commission Decision 2007/275/EC. Consignments not so presented will be classed as illegal imports and dealt with accordingly.

Council Directive 97/78/EC lays down the principles of veterinary checks.

All such products of animal origin require a Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED) to be submitted to the BIP by the person responsible for the consignment at least 24 hours before the consignment arrives. If checks are satisfactory the CVED will be completed, stamped and signed by either the Official Veterinary Surgeon or the Official Fish Inspector. Without this consignments are not given EU "Free Circulation" status and will be rejected.

The Authority levies a charge to importers for this service. Further details are available on request.

Please refer to our Food Enforcement Policy on the "Food Hygiene" web page.

The Europa EU website at ec.europa.eu

Also has advice and details of EU Border Controls.

All UK legislation can be obtained from the Office of Public Sector Information website www.opsi.gov.uk

The BIP also has an animal health role and our Inspectors check for illegal imports.

HM Revenue & Customs are responsible for the control of smuggled illegal food imports (www.hmrc.gov.uk)

From January 2010 the Authority has responsibility for checking & verifying Catch Certificates for consignments of fishery products imported from non-EU sources through the Hull EU Border Inspection Post. This is in addition to the usual import checks on such products. Further advice is available on the Defra website www.defra.gov.uk or by contacting our Official Fish Inspectors (Port Health Inspectors).

Other imported food cargoes are checked to ensure compliance with the Regulations. Consignments must comply with food safety and traceability requirements and comply with the many Additives, Labelling and Colouring Matter Regulations.

We take imported food samples for analysis and/or microbiological examination to assist our judgement or comply with agreed sampling regimes. Cargoes may be detained pending sample results and importers are advised to plan accordingly.

Rejected consignments are destroyed or re-exported according to risk at the owner's expense. In some circumstances they may be allowed to proceed, under strict supervision for purposes other than for human consumption.

The ports of Hull & Goole are "Designated Points of Entry" (DPE No. UK DP 07) under the EU Regulations (EC 669/2009) to receive specifically listed types of high-risk food cargoes such as nuts, figs and vine fruits for clearance by our Inspectors. Samples will almost always be taken. Importers must pre-notify DPEs at least 1 working day before the physical arrival of the consignment by completing Part 1 of the Common Entry Document (CED) which can be found at Annex II of EC 669/2009. Associated costs will be recharged by the DPE (HGPHA) to importers. Fees will not be higher than actual costs borne by the Authority in carrying out their duties and will be based on the hourly salary rate of the officer(s) involved, extra costs relating to travel, equipment, training and facilities. Sampling and analysis costs will also be included in the calculation of such fees. Further details can be obtained by contacting the Chief Port Health Inspector.

The Organic Products Regulations 2009 require that imports of organic produce must be notified to the Authority in advance of arrival. Each consignment must be accompanied by a Certificate of Inspection from the country of origin. This certificate enables our Inspectors to check and verify the provenance of such consignments and endorse bona-fide certificates.

Importers and their agents are advised to consult with our Inspectors before proceeding.

Currently there is a £45 charge to importers for this service.

Further information is available on the following link www.defra.gov.uk

Export Certificates for food consignments can be arranged by contacting the office. Such consignments are liable to our inspection and a service charge will be made.

PERSONAL FOOD IMPORTS - new rules apply from 1 May 2009. Please use the Defra website Foodchecker link below for further information: campaigns.direct.gov.uk