Import Requirements and Border Control Procedures for HRFNAO
Some foods and feeds of non-animal origin are considered to be high risk food or feed of non-animal origin (HRFNAO) because they pose health risks associated with the country of origin.
The lists of HRFNAO are included in the following pieces of legislation which have been assimilated into UK law:
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 (temporary increased controls in Annex I and emergency measures in Annex II)
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1158 (Chernobyl accident controls)
- Commission Implementing Decision 2011/884/EU (Chinese rice GMO)
The lists of HRFNAO are summarised on our website: List of Products requiring a CHED-D for import into Great Britain
Import Requirements
All of the products listed in the above pieces of legislation must meet the following import requirements:
- Prior notification
The person responsible for the load must notify the authority responsible for the Border Control Post (BCP) at least one working day before the expected arrival of the controlled product which is intended for import into or transit across Great Britain (GB).
The derogation of 6 hours prior notification for arrivals on the ferries only applies to HRFNAO arriving at the port during our opening hours. For consignments arriving on a ferry which berths outside of our normal operating hours we would request that additional notification be given to ensure the requisite controls and checks can be applied. Our office hours can be found here Contact – SCPHA .
Consignments that do not meet the prior notification requirement and which leave the port without Port Health checks will be referred to the competent authority inland and to the Food Standards Agency. The decision on the consignment options will be determined by the competent inland authority. However, retrospective endorsement of the CHED-D part II by SCPHA is not an acceptable option.
- CHED-D
Prior notification must be by submission on IPAFFS of a CHED-D with Part 1 completed by the person responsible for the load.
SCPHA guidance notes on how to complete the CHED-D in IPAFFS can be found here.
You do not need to print and sign the CHED-D, submission in IPAFSS is sufficient.
- Commercial documents
Copies of commercial documents (bill of lading/CMR, invoice and packing list) must be uploaded to the CHED-D notification in IPAFFS.
If required (see below for further information), copies of the Health Certificate and the laboratory report must also be uploaded to the CHED-D notification in IPAFFS.
Additional import requirements
In addition to the above import requirements many products also require:
- Health certification
An original health certificate must be submitted for the following:
- Any product listed in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2019/1793
- Any product listed in Regulation 2020/1158
- Rice and rice products from China listed in Decision 2011/884
The original health certificate must be in the correct format for import into GB. The model health certificates can be found on the Government website https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-risk-food-and-feed-not-of-animal-origin-hrfnao-health-certificates . Please ensure the correct and most up-to-date version is used.
SCPHA guidance notes on how to complete the certification can be found here.
A copy must be uploaded to the CHED-D notification in IPAFFS.
- Results of sampling and analysis
The results of sampling and analyses performed by the competent authorities of the third country of origin (or the country where the consignment is consignment from if that country if different from the country of origin) must be submitted for the following:
- Any product listed in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2019/1793
- Any product listed in Regulation 2020/1158
- Rice and rice products from China listed in Decision 2011/884
A copy must be uploaded to the CHED-D notification in IPAFFS.
- Identification code
Each consignment covered by the following legislation must have an identification code:
- Any product listed in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2019/1793
- Any product listed in Regulation 2020/1158
- Rice and rice products from China listed in Decision 2011/884
The identification code must be on all of the following:
- All layers of packaging in the consignment
- The results of sampling and analysis laboratory report
- The health certificate (Batch/Lot number)
If the identification code is missing/incorrect the consignment will be rejected from import.
Port Health role summary
- Documentary check
100% of consignments will have a Documentary check carried out by a Port Health Officer.
Some documentary check errors will result in the consignment being rejected at this stage, for example, absence of the required health certification.
- Identity and Physical check
The applicable legislation will determine the percentage of consignments called for identity and physical (includes sampling) checks.
The identity check is a visual inspection of the products to ensure that the documents accompanying the consignment match the labelling and the content of the consignment. If an identification code is required on all the packaging to the product, this will be checked as part of the identity check.
The physical check is a check on the means of transport, the temperature and the condition of the product. Sampling for laboratory analysis and testing will be carried out as part of the physical check for HRFNAO.
Consignments which have been sampled will remain on hold until results are received.
- Fees
All Port Health charges must be paid before a consignment can be released for import. For more information on charges please see our website: https://www.porthealth.uk/fees/
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