Guidance

Import of animal products returned to Great Britain - Import Information Note (IIN) RPTC/1

Published 2 December 2024

1. Important information 

Import Information Notes (IINs) are technical documents containing import requirements and are for use by importers and border officials.

Please be aware that import conditions may be updated due to changes in policy or legislation. Please ensure that you check the current version of the IIN as well as the IIN specific to your commodity.

Importers should note that the information given relates only to animal health and public health conditions of import. It does not give guidance on other conditions that may need to be met. 

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. 

Please note that any links to legislation provided in this document are for information purposes only and may not be the most recent version. 

References to imports into Great Britain (GB) in any IIN also includes imports into the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.  

References to trading partners include non-EU, EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries.

The Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) is the new approach to importing into GB that will be progressively introduced from the end of January 2024.

2. Scope 

Any consignment exported from GB to a trading partner, which is returning to GB following a refusal of entry by a trading partner.  

The returned goods policy only concerns rejections from the trading partner competent authorities. For rejections based on commercial reasons, the consignment must be treated as an import into the UK. 

3. Country of dispatch 

Any trading partner.

Please note that for the duration of the transitional import arrangements, the Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations 2011 (as amended) require notification to be given to the Secretary of State for the return of GB origin products or live animals, that are rejected by the Authorities, at an EU Border Control Post (BCP). Re-entry must be authorised in writing by the Secretary of State for products and live animals that are assessed to be high risk. 

High risk means the products or live animals that are suspected of constituting a serious risk to human or animal health or animal welfare. For the duration of the transitional import arrangements, this risk assessment will be undertaken by Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Centre for International Trade (CIT). In practice, the GB exporter will need to contact APHA CIT (See section 10) who, subject to the completion of a risk assessment, will issue a written authorisation if deemed appropriate. 

Information about returning goods to the UK  

4. Documentation required for returned products of animal origin (POAO) and composite products 

These rules are in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/2074 and Decision (EU) 2019/2098. 

All of the following documents must be presented: 

a) the original export certificate or document relating to the returned product or its authenticated copy. Where it is not possible to provide these documents, the origin of the consignment may be authenticated in another way on the basis of documented evidence presented by the operator responsible for the consignment *

b) the declaration from APHA or FSA agreeing to receive the consignment in GB indicating the place of destination; however, that declaration shall not be required where the consignment returns to its establishment of origin in GB which is located in the same constituent territory of GB as the BCP of arrival in GB

c) in the case of a returned product not originally exported in a sealed container or where the original seal is broken for official control purposes, an official declaration from the trading partner Competent Authority or Public Authority indicating:

      i) why the returned product was refused entry by the trading partner

      ii) the place and date of unloading and reloading of the consignment

and confirming that

      iii) the consignment did not undergo any handling other than unloading, storage and reloading **

      iv) the unloading and reloading of the consignment was handled hygienically to avoid cross-contamination

      v) the consignment was stored under hygienic conditions and at the required temperature for the relevant type of goods ***

      vi) effective measures were put in place to avoid the contamination of the POAO with disease agents which cause transmissible animal diseases listed in Annex I to Directive 2002/99/EC during the unloading, storage and reloading in the trading partner

      vii) the place of any unloading, storage and re-loading in the trading partner was not subject to animal health movement restrictions due to transmissible animal diseases listed in Annex I to Directive 2002/99/EC during the unloading, storage and re-loading in the trading partner

or

d) in the case of a returned product originally exported in a sealed container and maintained an intact original seal, you must present a declaration by the person responsible for the returned product that, since the returned product was originally exported, the conditions relating to storage and transport have been complied with in relation to the type of returned product (and that the content of the consignment has not been altered). The declaration must also include the reasons for why the returned product was refused by the trading partner * 

( * ) Where a consignment did not require a veterinary certificate or did not have a certificate for export, it is not necessary to provide one on return. However other documents should be presented (such as a commercial invoice) so that the official veterinary surgeon can establish that the consignment presented at the BCP is the one that was exported.

( ** ) Although not required by the legislation, it would be advisable to have an additional guarantee if the consignment has been handled for official control purposes, other than what is mentioned in point c(iii) declaring that the products were handled only to the extent necessary for the purposes of official controls, and in particular at the appropriate temperature required for the relevant type of product; and in a way that prevents cross contamination of the products during the controls. Also, the declaration should confirm that the container or vehicle was immediately resealed after the official controls were performed. 

( *** ) Although not required by the legislation, it would be advisable to have an additional guarantee if the consignment has been stored in a warehouse, other than what is mentioned in point c(v): that the products did not come into contact with any other animal products while present in the warehouse.

5. Documentation required for returned animal by-products (ABPs)

Regulation (EU) 2020/797 amending Regulation (EU) 142/2011 states the requirements for ABPs and derived products originating from GB to return to GB following refusal of entry by a trading partner. 

Chapter VI has been added in Annex XIV to Regulation (EU) 142/2011 specifying these requirements.

The information below provides a guide to importers and official veterinary surgeons.  However, it is recommended that official veterinary surgeons should seek advice from APHA CIT who will consider the returned consignment on a case-by-case basis. 

The following documents must be presented: 

1. Unpackaged or in bulk ABPs and derived products following refusal of entry by a trading partner not listed in Annex XIV to Regulation 142/2011

a) the original or an authenticated copy export certificate relating to the returned product or its electronic equivalent. Where it is not possible to provide these documents, the origin of the consignment may be authenticated in another way on the basis of documented evidence presented by the operator responsible for the consignment. Where a consignment did not require a veterinary certificate or did not have a certificate for export, it is not necessary to provide one on return. However other documents should be presented (such as a commercial invoice) so that the official veterinary surgeon can establish that the consignment presented at the BCP is the one that was exported.

b) the declaration from APHA agreeing to receive the consignment in GB and indicating place of destination.

c) the consignment complies with the following conditions: 

• it has remained sealed with an intact original seal (if the application of official seal prior to leaving GB was mentioned in the original export certificate), or another official document issued by an authority in GB
• it is accompanied by an official declaration from the trading partner Competent Authority or Public Authority indicating the reason for refusal 

2. Unpackaged or in bulk ABPs and derived products following refusal of entry by a trading partner listed in Annex XIV to Regulation 142/2011 

Same requirements as in section 1, paragraphs (a), (b) and bullet 2 of (c).

However, where the products have been unloaded, stored, re-loaded in the trading partner; the original seal has been replaced or in the case of a returned product not originally exported in a sealed container, an official declaration from the trading partner Competent Authority or Public Authority indicating the following:

• the place and date of unloading, storage and re-loading and the seal number put on the container after reloading
• the reasons for unloading and storage
• confirmation that the seal on the vehicle or container of the consignment was only broken for the purpose of official controls
• confirmation that the products were handled only to the extent necessary, and in particular at the appropriate temperature required for the relevant types of ABPs or derived products; and in a way that prevents cross contamination of the products during the controls
• confirmation that the vehicle or container was immediately re-sealed after the official controls 

3. Packaged ABPs and derived products following refusal of entry by a trading partner 

Same requirements as in section 1 and the packaging of the product has remained intact as compared to its state before exportation. 

If the product was unloaded in the trading partner, the consignment should be accompanied by an official declaration from the trading partner Competent Authority or Public Authority attesting that the products:

• have not been subjected to any handling other than unloading, storage and re-loading
• were handled at the required temperature for the relevant type of ABP or derived product

6. Official controls at the border 

Consignments may only be imported through an approved BCP.  

The person responsible for the consignment must give notice of the proposed entry of the consignment at least one working day before arrival (with a derogation to 4 hours before arrival if there are logistical constraints).

The notification shall be made to the inspection staff at the BCP using the import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS).

Any other electronic means agreed with the BCP to inform about the intended arrival of a consignment in advance are not to be considered as an official prenotification.  

Following satisfactory checks at the BCP (for which a charge is levied), the re-imported GB consignment will have to be transported directly to the establishment of origin, in leakproof means of transport, identified and sealed by the official veterinary surgeon at the BCP so that the seals will be broken whenever the container is opened.  If the consignment does not meet the re-import requirements, it will have to be rejected for destruction. 

The Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations 2011 (TARP 2011) (applicable in England)

EU Exit amendments to TARP 2011 

7. Movement of returned products in accordance with Articles 2 and 3 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1666 

The following only applies to returned consignments subject to monitoring procedures to its destination, as laid down in assimilated EU Regulation 2019/1666. For returned POAO and composite products, they will only be subject to monitoring procedures if an official declaration was issued by APHA to accept the movement of consignment to a destination other than the establishment of origin in the UK. 

For consignments of POAO originating from and returning to the Crown Dependencies via a point of entry in GB, monitoring of the transport from the BCP of arrival into GB to the establishment at the place of destination should be in accordance with the appropriate arrangements between the competent authorities in GB and the Crown Dependencies. 

All unpackaged or in bulk ABPs and derived products following refusal of entry by a trading partner not listed in Annex XIV to Regulation 142/2011, will be subject to monitoring procedures even if the destination is the establishment of origin in the GB. 

i) A returned product should not be removed from a BCP without the written authorisation of the official veterinary surgeon there

ii) No person shall remove a returned product from a BCP unless it is contained in a leakproof container or means of transport which has been sealed by Customs or by the official veterinary surgeon at that BCP 

iii) The person responsible for a returned product removed in accordance with paragraphs (i) and (ii), and any carrier who has charge of it for the time being shall ensure that:

      a) it is conveyed directly to its EU destination in the sealed leak-proof container or means of transport sealed at the BCP 

      b) the Common Health Entry Document (CHED) issued for the returned product accompanies it until the returned product reaches its establishment of origin.

iv) No person shall break the seals on the container or means of transport in which the returned product is conveyed, or unload the returned product, or split the consignment or part consignment which includes the returned product, or subject the returned product to any form of handling, until it reaches its establishment of origin

v) The operator responsible for the establishment at the place of destination shall, within one day upon arrival of the consignment, inform APHA of the arrival of the consignment at that establishment 

8. Safeguard measures 

Emergency safeguard action can be taken at very short notice to prohibit or restrict the importation of certain animals or products from certain countries following an outbreak of disease or a public health issue. 

Find information on the latest updates concerning disease outbreaks which may affect imports into the UK

Further information on the international and UK monitoring of animal diseases may be found on the animal disease monitoring website. 

Importers can get the latest news about exotic notifiable disease outbreaks from the APHA exotic notifiable disease outbreak subscription service. 

9. Legislation.gov.uk  

Consolidated legal texts, which integrate the basic instruments of assimilated EU legislation with their amendments and corrections in a single, non-official document, are available. Each consolidated text contains a list of all legal documents taken into account for its construction.  

You can search for consolidated texts by inputting the ‘document number’ and ‘year’ and then clicking the option ‘All UK Legislation (including originating from the EU)’ on legislation.gov.uk.

Once you press ‘search’, you can find the relevant legislation listed with the full title of the legislation. Once you have selected the legislation, you may see the following message at the top of the page: 

“Changes to legislation: There are outstanding changes not yet made to XXX. Those changes will be listed when you open the content using the Table of Contents below. Any changes that have already been made to the legislation appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.”

Please note that the consolidated text may not contain the latest amendment to the legislation, as it takes several weeks for this to be updated. EU Exit amendments to legislation may take several months too. We advise to read the legislation alongside the EU Exit amendments made in the below UK laws:

• The Import of, and Trade in, Animals and Animal Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
  
  
• The Official Controls (Animals, Feed and Food, Plant Health etc.) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
  
  
• The Official Controls (Animals, Feed and Food, Plant Health etc.) (Amendment) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2020
  
  
• The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
  
  
• The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
  
  
• The Trade in Animals and Animal Products (Legislative Functions) and Veterinary Surgeons (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

Texts provided in this section are intended for information only. Please note that these texts have no legal value. For legal purposes please refer to the texts published on legislation.gov.uk.

Further information on changes in relation to EU legislation and UK law can be found on legislation.gov.uk. Please continue to use legislation.gov.uk to find EU retained law applicable to GB. Please avoid using the EU Commission website for information on imports into GB.

10. Contact for further information on import requirements 

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