Important information regarding border control requirements for exports to Northern Ireland

EC regulation 2021/2306 covers the import of organic products into the EU and stipulates the requirements of certificates of inspection (COIs).

Box 17 of the COI requires details on the means of transport used from the country of origin until the arrival of the product at the border control post. As not all of the transport details may be available at the time the when the COI is issued by the certification body, the regulation allows the information to be added after the COI is issued, but it must be added before it can be endorsed at the border control post (BCP).

Northern Ireland BCPs have identified an issue with COIs not always having the transport identification information available in time for them to endorse the COI. In particular the trailer details (vehicle number plate) to enable them to identify the vehicle carrying the consignment. Without all the transport information they will not be able to endorse the COI.

The BCPs have agreed that if the trailer details are not added to the COI within 4 hrs of the consignments arrival time then the BCP will contact the importer and inform them they risk the COI not being endorsed unless the details are added to the COI asap.

If you have any questions about this please email coi@soilassociation.org