Organics

Import of organic food arriving in GB via the Channel Tunnel and Dover Eastern Docks

The importation of organic produce into Great Britain are subject to border controls. These controls are in place to check that organic products are compliant with organic production standards.

On 30 April, 2024  Sevington Inland Border Facility became a Border Control Point (BCP) for imported organic produce.

You must pre-notify on PHILIS Des and provide the required documentation at least 6 working hours before the consignment is due to arrive at the BCP.

Documents required:

Certificate of inspection (COI) - needs to be endorsed before organic produce can be released into free circulation. A COI can list many products, but you can’t have more than one exporter named on the COI. The submitted COI does not have to be the original and we will accept copies.  

Commercial Documentation (invoice, packing list)- You must submit the invoice/packing list.  These must clearly show the description, quantities, CN code, and country of origin for the items listed.

Transport Documentation (CMR, bill of lading, as applicable) - this is to show the truck details, place of destination, date of arrival and description of the load.

Organic registration

Any business importing organic products into Great Britain must be established in GB. They must also be registered and certified by an approved UK control body – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/organic-food-uk-approved-control-bodies . The requirement to be certified by an approved UK control body applies to both the importer and first consignee.

In addition, the importer will have a list of products they are certified to import on their licence.

EU, EEA & EFTA Organics

Organic products imported from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland to Great Britain will not require a GB certificate of inspection (COI) until 1^st February 2027.. However, it has been confirmed that the requirements of the UK-EU Trade and Co-Operation Agreement, Annex 14 : Organic Products must still be met. This means that any organic product imported into the EU from another third country has to be processed in the EU before it can be exported to GB. It cannot be imported into the EU and then exported to GB without processing.

Identity Check

An identity check is not normally carried out unless there is any question over the link between the documentation and the consignment.

Physical Check

Physical checks are not normally carried out, but sampling is required for specific commodities which originate in the following countries: China, India,
Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. ( CN Code 0910 30 00 for 12 months starting from 18 March 2024.)

Please see below for the details of which products are subject to these additional controls-. Chapter/ CN code details and corresponding Countries.

Chapter 10 – Cereals from China, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine

Chapter 11 – Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten. The following CN codes are excluded: 1105, 1106, 1107, 1108 & 1109 from China, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine

Chapter 12 – Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder, with the exception of processed products ready for human consumption derived from them. The following CN codes are excluded: 1211, 1212, 1213 & 1214 from China, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine

Chapter 23 – Residues and waste from the food industries, prepared animal fodder. The following CN codes are excluded: 2307 from China, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine

CN code 0810 9075 – only Goji berries (Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense) and products processed from them from China.

Fees

Fees are payable for checking documentation and examination or sampling consignments should it prove necessary.

Please see our current fees and methods of payment pages.