Imports of products of animal origin

General

Most Products of Animal Origin (POAO) brought into the EU from third countries must undergo veterinary checks at an approved Border Control Post (BCP). There is a list of products of animal origin under the veterinary check at Commission Decision 2007/275/EC. Contact your local APHA office to find out if your consignment must be checked.

You can find more information on the Government's website at importing live animals or animal products from non-EU countries.

Pre-notification

The person responsible for the consignment must notify the relevant Border Control Post (BCP) before the consignment arrives in the UK. Go to our main office for BCPs at London Gateway and Tilbury.

Part 1 of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED) must be completed and sent to our relevant BCP office before the consignment arrives using the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS).

Go to our IPAFFS page for information on how to complete the CHED.

If the BCP does not receive the CHED and the consignment is removed before checks are carried out, this may result in it being treated as an illegal import.

Correction letters and replacement certificates

Where there are only minor or typographical errors, the London Port Health Authority will consider releasing the consignment on receipt of a scanned copy of the original document in an email sent direct from the certifying authorities to the London Port Health Authority. The original document must arrive at our office within 14 days of the email. If importers/agents fail to supply the original within the 14 days, we will withdraw this facility and future consignments will only be released when the original documents have been received.

Our Enforcement Guidance for Veterinary Checks explains this in detail.

Importer's declaration

If you are importing processed wool, feathers, hides and skins or hunting trophies through the London Gateway, Tilbury or Thamesport BCPs, please complete and return our Importer's Declaration Form.

The below document is available in Microsoft Word Format upon request, please see our contact details on our contact page.