Importing for organic businesses

The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) covers trade of product between the UK and EU and EEA countries (EEA is the European Economic Area consisting of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein).

For organic goods to be imported into GB from the EU or EEA they must be produced or processed in the EU or EEA. Organic product imported into the EU or EEA from third countries and not further processed in the EU or EEA are not eligible for export to GB (re-packing or re-labelling are not considered processed product).

The UK has a similar agreement with Switzerland that also requires product to be produced or processed in Switzerland before it can be exported to UK.

Certificates of Inspection (COI) are not required for import of organic product from the EU, EEA or Switzerland to GB.

To import into GB from all other countries, a GB certificate of inspection (COI) is required for each consignment.

GB certificates of inspection

The GB COI must be completed by the exporter, endorsed (signed) by their organic certifier. It must then be available to the Port Health or Border Control Post on arrival of the consignment. It is the importer's responsibility to notify the PHA/BCP of each consignment. COIs don’t need to travel with the consignment but must be with the PHA/BCP ready for when the consignment arrives. They then check, approve and sign the COI to release the goods.

It is imperative that you obtain a COI from your exporter for each consignment before export.

If you import organic products without an approved GB COI this could result in your goods being delayed or losing organic status.

Before you import please ensure:

1. you hold a valid organic licence that covers importing

2. your supplier in the country of export is aware of the requirement for GB COIs

3. GB COI is completed and sent for approval to your supplier's certification body in the country of export before the goods leave that country

4. and if you are the importer, you have notified the PHA / BCP ahead of the organic shipment arriving (at least 24 hours in advance)

Resources

• GB certificate of inspection blank template

• GB certificate of inspection explanatory notes

• Extract of GB certificate of inspection blank document 

• Extract of GB certificate of inspection explanatory notes

Certificates of Inspection (COI) are not required for movement of organic product from Northern Ireland (NI) to GB.

Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Moldova, Turkey and China: Defra require some additional controls on certain products imported from these countries. This requires that additional controls are carried out by the certification bodies in those countries and sampling at the port of entry in GB.

More information about products affected and sampling requirements in GB.

Moving from EU, EEA and Switzerland

To import organic product from EU, EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), or Switzerland to NI Certificates of Inspection (COI) are not required.

Moving from GB

To move product from GB into NI, a COI issued on TRACES is required, unless product is moved under the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS). For all other product, i.e. product for further processing or packing in NI, animal feed, organic seeds and other organic product for use on farms, or product destined for sale in the EU, a COI is required.

To issue a TRACES COI the product must have been produced or processed in GB, (re-packing or re-labelling are not considered processed).

Imports from all other countries

To import into NI from all other countries a COI issued on TRACES is required.

Full details of TRACES COI requirements.

The Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) allows prepacked retail goods, and certain loose goods, to be moved from GB to NI without COIs, payment of EU tariffs, or completion of certain paperwork and checks.

Moving pre-packed retail goods

Foods for final consumption intended for sale on the NI market only are eligible and businesses must be registered to export.

Where relevant, goods still need to meet EU standards but to help avoid additional certification/assurance costs and to facilitate movement, goods can benefit from ‘green lane’ arrangements. Organic products that qualify for the ‘green lane' do not require a Certificate of Inspection (COI). Products for sale in the EU, or that are intended for further processing, or animal feed, require a COI.

Goods moved under NIRMS do not need multiple export health certificates, or to be required to put an EU address on individual products. Movements use a single General Certificate instead.

Certain products (for example, some produce and livestock origin products) originating from non-EU third countries may not qualify for green lane movement due to a lack of UK-EU alignment on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS), or produce of animal origin (POAO) requirements.

Labelling

Goods moved under NIRMS can use an address in the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Products require labelling ‘Not for EU’.

Defra labelling guidance

Defra traders team confirmed the following are eligible for export without a COI via the ‘green lane’:

1. all Great Britain origin products eligible

2. all Northern Ireland products processed in Great Britain eligible

3. all EU origin products eligible

4. the majority of product entering GB direct from ROW, where further processed in GB. The following exceptions apply:

• products that have no sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements, for example tinned fish, bananas, pineapples, durian, coconuts, pasta, noodles and couscous (except for when they contain meat products, for example meat filled pasta or couscous and noodles mixed with meat), bread, cakes, biscuits, waffles, soup stocks and flavourings and confectionery (including sweets), chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa

• products which do not require certification or controls, for example processed or canned fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds, flour and wine

• fisheries products that come from countries specified in the EU IUU implementing regulations products where the UK is taking the same approach as the EU to protect against the same pests and diseases; this should include:

  • meat: fresh, chilled or frozen New Zealand lamb; pet food and dog chews

  • vegetables: onions, shallots, garlic, cauliflowers, broccoli, peas, beans peppers, pumpkins, squash and gourds, sweetcorn, sweet potatoes and asparagus

  • fruit: tomatoes, avocados, grapes, melons, watermelons, apples, pears, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, loganberries, blueberries, cranberries and ginger

Further information

If you have specific questions about the scheme please email ni.trade@defra.gov.uk