Importation of POAO from the EU

Importing food products from the EU

Importing POAO into Jersey from the EU must be pre-notified to the Environmental Health department and be accompanied by specific documentation. Without this documentation, your consignment may be detained, returned to port of export or disposed of at your expense.

Examples of food products of animal origin include:

• fresh meat and offal
• game and poultry
• minced meat, meat preparations such as fresh sausages and hamburgers,
• meat products such as cooked meat and ham
• composite products containing meat
• fish, shellfish and fish products
• milk and dairy products for example, the importation of liquid milk into Jersey remains prohibited
  
• composite products which contain 50% or more processed dairy product, eggs or milk
• composite products which contain 50% or less dairy, eggs or fish, and which are not shelf-stable
  
• animal protein for human consumption
• processed pet food or raw material for pet food production
• lard and rendered fats
• animal casings
• eggs and egg products (Grade A eggs only)
• honey
• bones, bone products and gelatine
  

What you need to do

You need to:

1. complete a declaration on customs.gst.gov.je and pay GST and customs duties
   
2. keep a note of your declaration number so you can complete the pre-notification form
   
3. make sure you have all the relevant consignment details available. This includes the name and address of the consignor, the logistics details (such as time of arrival and freight operator), the full importing party details and copies of all relevant certificates and accompanying paperwork
   
4. complete the correct documents for your import

Documents needed

The process for the importation of POAO into Jersey differs from the UKs importation process. Your POAO consignment must come with one or all of the following documents.

Common Health Entry Document (CHED)

A pre-notification of your import is required under the appropriate CHED. This must be completed using our pre-notification form at least 4 hours ahead of your import's arrival time. 

An Export Health Certificate (EHC)

At a future date yet to be determined, your consignment of POAO must be accompanied by an EHC. The EU based exporter or manufacturer must request an EHC (in English) from their Competent Authority for all the POAO being exported to you (this may require more than one EHC depending on the nature of your consignment).

The original paper EHC must accompany the consignment having been be completed, stamped and signed by an official veterinarian or certifying officer. Additionally, a completed signed and stamped electronic copy or scanned copy must be attached to your Caesar declaration or online CHED.

Currently there are 13 different model EHCs for all POAO.

A commercial document (you will need to upload this to your Caesar declaration)

Imported goods must come with a commercial document from the supplier. It must include at least the following:

• details of what's in the consignment
  
• the name of the person who sent it
• the name of the person it's being sent to
  

After you have completed your Caesar and CHED declarations

An officer, when satisfied that the documentation is in order, will either Approve, Reject or Request further information.

If 'Rejected' it is likely that:

• the import is not a Product of Animal Origin
  
• the import is prohibited, for example ungraded eggs or liquid milk
  
• the import is coming direct from the UK and exempt from this process
  

If we 'Request further information', you will receive an email detailing any additional documents that will be required before your import is 'Approved'.

If 'Approved' the officer may then check your consignment at the port of entry on arrival. This may include:

Identity check  

This a visual inspection to ensure that documents accompanying the food consignment match the labelling and the content of the consignment or import.  

Physical check 

A physical check on food which may include:  

• the means of transport  
• packaging  
• labelling
  
• temperature  
  

Sampling

Samples may be taken for analysis and laboratory testing together with any other checks necessary to verify compliance with food safety law. If your import is selected for sampling at the border you will be informed via email. Please be aware that this may result in a small percentage of product being removed.

If you have any questions regarding any of the above, please contact Environmental Health on +44 (0) 1534 445808 or email foodnotifications@gov.je.

Other considerations

Licences for specific POAO and POAO under Safeguard Measures

A licence is required for some specific POAO listed in the links below. Please contact Environmental Health or the States Veterinary Officer if you wish to import products on these lists:

General licences and authorisations to import live animals or animal products

Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues

Importing high risk food of non-animal origin (HRFNAO) from outside the EU

Some foods are considered HRFNAO because they pose health risks associated with the country of origin.

Products may be considered high risk if they contain, for example, contaminants such as mycotoxins, pesticides, salmonella.

Food Standards Agency website list country specific requirements and the hazardous contaminants associated with each foodstuff.

Examples of HRFNAO include:

• groundnuts such as peanuts in shell from Bolivia or Madagascar
• dried grapes (raisins) from Turkey
• herbs such as coriander and basil from Vietnam

If you are currently, or are considering importing HRFNAO, email foodnotifications@gov.je.