Guidance

Import of milk, dairy products, colostrum, and colostrum-based products for human consumption - Import Information Note (IIN) MKDR/1

Published 2 December 2024

1. General information 

This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of products of animal origin (POAO), which provides information on pre-notifications, veterinary checks, risk categories etc. 

References to European Union (EU) legislation within this document are references to direct EU legislation which has been assimilated in Great Britain (assimilated direct legislation), as defined in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and can be viewed on the UK legislation website. 

2. Scope 

Import conditions for raw milk, dairy products, colostrum and colostrum-based products for human consumption. 

‘Raw milk’ is defined in Regulation (EC) 853/2004 as milk produced by the secretion of the mammary gland of farmed animals that has not been heated to more than 40 °C or undergone any treatment that has an equivalent effect. 

‘Dairy products’ are defined as processed products resulting from the processing of raw milk or from the further processing of such processed products. 

‘Colostrum’ means the fluid secreted by the mammary glands of milk-producing animals up to 3 to 5 days post parturition that is rich in antibodies and minerals and precedes the production of raw milk.  

‘Colostrum-based products’ means processed products resulting from the processing of colostrum or from the further processing of such processed products. 

3. Country of origin 

Imports are permitted from trading partners listed in a document published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers. See the documents for milk and milk products for:

• non-EU countries
• EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries 

Please note that colostrum can only be imported from countries listed in respect of Column A of the documents. 

In addition, the country of origin must be listed for the appropriate species in a document published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers, in accordance with Decision (EU) 2011/163 on the approval of residue monitoring plans submitted by third countries. The relevant documents are accessible using the links above. 

4. Approved establishments 

Products must be produced in an establishment approved to export to Great Britain (GB). Importers should check prior to importation that the premises are listed on the correct list. 

Find lists of approved plants (excluding the EU)

Find lists of approved establishments in the EU

If the establishment or plant is not listed, importers are urged to contact the company concerned, who should contact their competent authority immediately. If the plant is not included on the appropriate list when veterinary checks are carried out the consignment is likely to be held and could be rejected and re-exported or destroyed.

5. Health certification  

Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate. 

Model health certificates for dairy and milk

The model health certificate required will depend on the product and the country of origin:

• model health certificate ‘milk-RMP’ is for dairy products derived from raw milk for human consumption from third countries or parts thereof authorised in column A 
  
• model health certificate ‘milk-HTB’ is for dairy products from the milk of cows, ewes, goats and buffaloes for human consumption from third countries or parts thereof authorised in column B
  
• model health certificate ‘milk-HTC’ is for dairy products for human consumption from third countries or parts thereof in column C
  
• model health certificate ‘milk-RM’ is for raw milk intended for human consumption from third countries or parts thereof in column A
  
• model health certificate ‘C/CBP’ for colostrum of cows, ewes, goats and buffaloes intended for human consumption from third countries listed in column A 
• model health certificate ‘MILK-LHT’ is for dairy products and raw milk that have undergone a lower heat treatment than pasteurisation for human consumption from third countries listed in accordance with GB import authorisation IMP/GEN/2024/01
  
• for dairy products for transit through or storage in GB, model certificate ‘milkT/S’ should be used

This requirement applies to animal products in the high and medium risk categories. Find import risk categories for animals and animal products imported from:

• the EU to GB
• non-EU countries to GB

6. Health and identification marks 

Products referred to above must bear an identification mark in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) 853/2004. The mark must be applied before the product leaves the establishment.

7. Contact for further information

For more information about import requirements, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) imports team:

Centre for International Trade - Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX

Email: imports@apha.gov.uk 

Telephone: 03000 200 301