Organic Imports: New Fully Electronic COI Process

As part of our continued process and systems review we are delighted to advise that Certificate of Inspection (COI) requirements for Organic Imports can now be completed from start to finish electronically.

For Submissions made on or after 4^th November we ask you to follow the new fully electronic process. You don’t have to wait to do this you can do so straight away.

To make your submission you just need to upload your documents and required information into our partner system called PHILIS DES.  You no longer need to submit original documents to us.

Please use the link below to access PHILIS DES, you can register for its use on the home page.

https://des.philis.co.uk/login/login

Once registered you will need to upload the following information for Organic imports

• A PDF of the COI
• Copy commercial documents (bill of lading, invoice and packing list)
• The full email chain sent from the issuing control body to the destination address/importer (proof that the COI was issued by them)

The PDF COI must be emailed by the issuing control body to the destination address/GB importer. This full email chain should then be uploaded to the PHILIS DES notification. It is essential that Port Health can confirm the PDF COI originated from the issuing control body.

On satisfactory completion of the checks, consignments will be released for free circulation into Great Britain.

The completed COI will be verified and endorsed. Port Health will email a PDF of the electronically endorsed COI to the agent or company responsible for the load and paying the charges.

The Port Health endorsed COI may then be used as evidence that the checks have been satisfactorily completed.

For more information on Importing Organic Products for take a look at our Organics page: https://www.porthealth.uk/import-guidance/organics/