Dover Port Health Authority
Import Food Controls
Dover Port Health Authority is responsible for all Imported
Foodstuffs Not of Animal Origin imported from a Third Country
(Non-EU) through Dover Port and the Channel Tunnel.
We check Imported Foodstuffs Not of animal origin from Third
Countries to ensure that they are safe and wholesome to eat. Some
foodstuffs are considered high risk and are controlled under
specific Emergency Controls. A full list of current Emergency
Controls can be viewed from this link. They contain specific
control provisions, which are prescribed within Commission
decisions. Such controls mean that some foodstuffs have to be
imported for example with a Health Certificate and Certificate of
Official Aflaxtoxin Examination. Port Health may be required to
undertake formal samples of foodstuffs to check that it is what it
claims to be (composition) and safe to eat (microbiological and
chemical analysis).
Products of animal origin imported from third Countries cannot
be imported through Dover or the Channel Tunnel because neither are
Border Inspection Post. Products of animal origin must be imported
into the European Community via a Border Inspection Post.
Dover Port Health Authority work closely with the Food Standards
Agency as well as Her Majesty's Revenues and Customs, forwarding
agents and ferry operators to ensure that imported foodstuffs not
of animal origin from Third Countries are identified and examined
and sampled as required.
Dover Port Health Authority is a member of the Association of
Port Health Authorities and maintains good links with other ports
in the UK to ensure a uniformed approach to enforcement and
controls designed to ensure that foodstuffs imported into the UK
are both safe and wholesome to eat. The examination and
identification of imported foodstuffs is both challenging, complex
and not without the odd surprise or two. Port Health Officers are
frequently called upon to identify creepy crawlies that have caught
a ride onboard their dinner into the UK!
Dover Port Health Authority request that all imported foodstuffs
not of animal origin from Third Countries are notified to Port
Health in advance via our electronic notification system. This
system enables Port Health to assess the type and quantity of
imported foods entering the UK at Dover and conduct inspections on
a risk basis, it also enables us to advise importers, forwarding
agents etc of the legal provisions in place, prior to importation.
This will save untimely delays and ensure compliant
importation.
Dover Port Health Authority strongly recommends that all
importers and or their forwarding agents contact Port Health well
in advance of any planned imports to discuss and confirm the
required standard and documentation needed.
Contact Port Health
Telephone: 01304 872216
Email: porthealth@dover.gov.uk
