If your business will import any livestock and/or products that are of animal origin (this can include eggs, honey, fur or fish) into the UK from any country outside the UK (including EU countries), your consignments will be governed by the UK's Border Target Operating Model. This regime requires that all your consignments of livestock or any other goods that are of animal origin that pass through a Border Inspection Post (BIP) must have the correct health certificates attached to them.
Border Inspection Post
It is important that your business understands how BIPs operate as they govern the movement of livestock and products of animal origin into the UK. When your consignments arrive at a BIP for clearance they must have all their appropriate certificates and other supporting documents. More information about BIPs and health certificates is on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website.
Livestock Certificates
To successfully move your livestock or products of animal origin through customs at the BIP, you must pre-notify the BIP officials of the arrival of your transport. A fee will usually have to be paid to clear your goods through customs. Once your livestock etc. have been cleared, you will be issued with a relevant UK health certificate.
Not all goods will need health certificates, imported wool for instances does not require this document. It is important that your business keeps up-to-date about the changes that are made to the health certificate system. Review the advice and directives on the Defra website regularly to ensure your business complies with all the required regulations. Failure to do so could mean a fine and your goods being seized at the BIP. The HM Revenue and Customs Notice 701/15 should be understood by your business as it details any customs duty you may have to pay when you transport goods into the UK.
Organic Products
If your business will be importing any products of animal origin that are also defined as organic, your goods must also be accompanied by form OB8. This is the certificate of inspection form that the country where the organic produce originated that certifies that the goods meet the definition of organic. None approved countries must have authorisation from Defra to export their organic goods to the UK
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Veterinary Certificates
Health certificates should accompany all the livestock you transport into the UK. The health certificate itself must be endorsed (stamped) to show that the livestock you are moving into the UK meet all the health regulations set out by the UK. The stamped documents shows the BIP officials that this is the case. The veterinary certificate is the country of origin’s guarantee that the livestock are healthy and meet all requirements.
The veterinary certificate allows the BIP to inspect your goods and issue the CVED. UK health certificates support the tracking of your imports via the UK's IPAFFS (Import of products, animals, food and feed system) (Trade Control and Expert System) that is used by all businesses when they import goods into the UK.
Exporting Livestock and Goods of Animals Origin
If your business will transport livestock and any products that contain a component that is of animal origin, all the goods you export must have a Export Health Certificate (EHC). You can obtain these certificates from the electronic system known as EOL (Export On Line). The Defra website has more information about how to apply to use the EOL system. Remember that exports are defined as any goods you transport to a country outside of the UK.
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