Covid-19 and imports

The London Port Health Authority (LPHA) continues to run a normal service with only essential staff onsite. Routine examinations of imported food and feed have been reintroduced alongside high risk non-animal origin (HRNAO) food/feed and products of animal origin (POAO) which continued to be checked throughout the pandemic.

As of 30 June 2022 the temporary easements which were agreed at the beginning of the Global Pandemic ceased to apply.

From 1 July 2022, original certification as specified in relevant legislation, has been required. The continued use of copy documents will delay Port Health clearance.

Organics

We will accept a colour PDF of the Certificate of Inspection which we will electronically sign.  We encourage you to use PHILIS DES to pre-notify your import or complete the pre-notification form on the organic imports page. The original COI should be produced when available for endorsement.

PDDs

The declaration can be made via PHILIS DES or by posting the completed declaration to our office. The lab reports and a copy of the declaration can be emailed in advance.

IUU

Original signed documents by the importer or agent are required. PHILIS DES can also be used for IUU notifications.

HRNAO

From 1 July 2022, original certification as specified in relevant legislation, has been required. The continued use of copy documents will delay Port Health clearance. We are accepting emailed copies of analytical reports. The CHED-D can be retrieved from IPAFFS and we expect the agents to retrieve the validated copy from IPAFFS at their end.

PoAO

From 1 July 2022, original certification as specified in relevant legislation, has been required. The continued use of copy documents will delay Port Health clearance. We will retrieve the CHEDP from IPAFFS and we expect the agents to retrieve the validated CHEDP from IPAFFS at their end.