Organic imports
Importing Organic products into Great Britain
Organic products are subject to import checks to ensure that they comply with GB rules. These include the submission of the original GB Certificate of Inspection (COI) to London Port Health Authority (LPHA).
Imports from EU member states, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland into GB will not require a COI until further notice.
Pre-notification - documents required
Importers must notify LPHA 24 hours in advance before the organic consignment arrives.
This can now be made online using PHILIS DES which removes the need to send the pre-notification form to port health and it will allow you to upload the bill of lading, packing list and invoices.
If you cannot use PHILIS DES, then download and complete the LPHA organic pre-notification form before submitting it with the COI, bill of lading, packing list and invoices. Copies can be emailed to The London Port Health Authority team. Please note that there will an additional charge levied of £14.79 if not pre-notified using PHILIS DES.
Original COI
Following guidance from Defra, the original COI is no longer required, however we must be provided with a PDF colour copy at least 24 hours prior to the consignment arriving. This version will be electronically endorsed and returned via email.
COI requirements
Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 has been amendment by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/25 regarding the controls for imports of organic products from third countries. The specific changes cover the following areas:
- The third countries, control bodies and control authorities listed in Annexes III and IV of Regulation 1235/2008 have been updated. the changes are detailed in Annexes I and II of Regulation 2020/25.
- The Certificate of Inspection (COI) must be issued by the relevant control authority or control body before the consignment leaves the third country of export or origin.
- Defra Organics have confirmed that box 11 of the COI must have an UK importer registered with an UK organic body.
Satisfactory checks
If checks are satisfactory, the consignment will be released for free circulation into Great Britain and the COI will be electronically endorsed.
Unsatisfactory checks
Consignments failing to satisfy organic import conditions may be re-exported to a country outside of Great Britain or relabelled under the supervision of Trading Standards and under notice to remove all organic references.
Where the checks are found to be unsatisfactory you will be sent a legal notice specifying the reason and outlining any options available. If you disagree with the decision, you may within 6 working days lodge an appeal against the decision with the Director of Port Health Services who may cancel, vary or affirm the notice. In the event that this appeal is not resolved, a further appeal may be made to the organic farming branch at Defra. Full details are contained on the notice.
Undeclared consignments
If a consignment has left the port before checks have been completed and the COI endorsed, the product cannot be sold as organic and the COI will not be endorsed. The local trading standards office will be notified.
Charges
Go to the charges page for the list of charges. Note that there is an additional charge of £129.43 for consignments covered by a Regulation 7 (Movement Control Notice).
Further information
Defra (organic imports) oversee organic imports into the UK. Contract Defra at Organic Imports .
Defra has produced the following information on the GOV.UK website.