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From January 2010, new controls have been introduced for imports of 'high risk' foods of non-animal origin.The foods and countries of origin which are subject to increased control, as well as the frequency of checks, are listed in Annex 1 of Commission Regulation (EC) 669/2009 (as amended).
Foods which are subject to Commission Regulation 669/2009 can only enter the UK through specific ports and airports which have been approved as designated points of entry (DPE).
Belfast has been granted DPE status and allocated the DPE unit number UK DP 01.
Importers and food business operators must pre-notify DPEs at least one working day before the physical arrival of a consignment by completing Part 1 of the Common Entry Document (CED).
This is available in Annex II of Regulation 669/2009 and guidance on completing the CED can be found in Annex II.
Fees
The new controls have also introduced fees which are levied on a cost recovery basis.Fees are split, with a standard documentary check fee of £47 for all consignments subject to checks, as well as an additional fee (sampling time costs, plus the cost of analysis) for consignments subject to random sampling and analysis at the prescribed percentage sampling rate.
Importers will be advised of any products selected for sampling which will attract additional fees following documentary checks.
Please note that a non-compliant consignment fee will also be charged for those consignments which do not meet import requirements.
Fees must be paid before consignments can be released, once checks have been completed.
These charges are subject to review and may change at short notice following guidance or instruction from the Food Standards Agency, the European Union or the Association of Port Health Authorities.
