Dover Port Health Authority

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.