Guidance

Import of meat products for human consumption - Import Information Note (IIN) MPMP/2

Updated 20 January 2025

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 meat products and treated stomachs, bladders and intestines intended for human consumption. 

Meat products are defined in Regulation (EC) 853/2004 as processed products resulting from the processing of meat or from the further processing of such processed products so that the cut surface of the original product shows that the product no longer has the characteristics of fresh meat. 

‘Treated stomachs, bladders and intestines’ means stomachs, bladders and intestines that have been submitted to a treatment such as salting, heating or drying after they have been obtained and after cleaning. 

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 meat products for:

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

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 consolidated lists of approved plants (excluding the EU)

Find approved EU food establishments

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.

Find model health certificates for meat products

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 

Meat 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