REVISED PROCEDURE: PRE-NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR ENTERING IMPORTS OF FOOD PRODUCTS NOT OF ANIMAL ORIGIN (PNAO) FROM THIRD COUNTRIES ENTERING THE UK AT DOVER PORT AND THE CHANNEL TUNNEL
1. Purpose
This procedure relates to the importation of Products Not of Animal Origin (PNAO) i.e. fruit and vegetables which enter the EU, primarily at Dover Port and the Channel Tunnel, but may subsequently transfer to an Enhanced Remote Transfer Shed (ERTS) prior to being given HMR&C clearance.
This document has been written for you, to enable you to successfully complete Dover Port Health Authority’s new electronic pre-notification procedure.
2. Responsibilities
Importer and/or forwarding agent are requested to notify Dover Port Health Authority via Pre-Notification of any consignment containing food products not of animal origin prior to Customs clearance. Dover Port Health Authority’s Environmental Health Service will acknowledge receipt of all electronic notifications and undertake examinations of foodstuffs and conduct sampling programmes based on risk.
3. Procedure
3.1 All agents should register regardless of how frequently you handle food PNAO (you only register once and it is free) via www.dover.gov.uk/porthealth Notification Page.
3.2 If you handle any food PNAO arriving from a Third country at Dover Port or the Channel Tunnel you should prior to Customs clearance and when possible prior to goods landing, complete a Pre-Notification entry to Dover Port Health Authority via www.dover.gov.uk/porthealth
3.3 Once you have completed each section of the Pre-Notification form (including confirmation of whether the goods are organic or non-organic) and submitted it electronically, you will receive an automatic electronic acknowledgement. This is called the ‘Thank You’ page; you will then receive a confirmation email at the address you provided when you registered. This confirmation email is your receipt and confirms the completion and delivery of your Pre-Notification entry.
3.4 You should now print off and forward copies of your confirmation email to HMR&C, together with all other relevant documentation for your entry.
3.5 Contact will be made with you should Dover Port Health Authority need to examine or take samples from the consignment.
4. Technical Problems
If you experience any problems when using the Port Health web pages at www.dover.gov.uk/porthealth please contact us on 01304 872216.
Please follow the instructions in our User Guide:
Import Notification User Guide
You have now completed the Pre-Notification form. Just click on the SUBMIT button and your entry will be automatically sent to Port Health. Your screen will display a Thank You page, which has a big green tick. This display confirms your notification and advises you that if Port Health need to examine the foodstuffs, you will be notified shortly; it is for this reason that it is paramount that you submit your entries prior to Customs clearance and, where possible, in advance of goods landing.
You will receive a confirmation email at the address you provided when you registered. This confirmation email should be printed off as evidence of your entry to Port Health and submitted with your customs entry. Your entry does not mean that Port Health will not look at the foodstuffs or that Port Health have cleared them, but that you have correctly notified the arrival of the goods to us and that, should physical examination be required, you will be notified accordingly.
Customs have been informed of the new system and entries submitted without a copy of your confirmation email may be delayed whilst Port Health are contacted.
If you are importing Organic products you should refer to FACTSHEET 2 for further guidance on the correct procedure for obtaining endorsement of the Organic Certificate of Inspection.
Head Office
Port Health
Health Protection
Public Protection Section
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover
Kent
CT16 3PJ
Telephone: 01304 872216
Main Switchboard: 01304 821199
Fax: 01304 872416
E-mail: porthealth@dover.gov.uk
