High Risk Foods Not of Animal Origin (HRFNAO) Arriving Through Dover

We have recently received notification of several high-risk foods not of animal origin (HRFNAO) consignments trying to enter Great Britain through Dover, for which Dover is not an authorised Border Control Post. If these unauthorised goods arrive through Dover, they are likely not to be able to clear and are at risk of being rejected and thereafter re-dispatched or destroyed.

Some food not of animal origin from certain countries are considered to be high risk and are subject to documentary and sampling controls. A full list of all current HRFNAO can be found here https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/foodstuffs-with-gb-import-restrictions

Dover Port is currently approved for only four types of HRFNAO:

• Pistachios from Iran
• Pistachios from Turkey
• Hazelnuts from Turkey
• Dried figs from Turkey

The above types of HRFNAO (and products containing them) can enter through Dover and, subject to satisfactory checks, are then able to enter the market in Great Britain.

Unfortunately, we are also finding other HRFNAO, for example pomegranates, dried grapes and sweet peppers from Turkey, are arriving through Dover and are unable to clear because satisfactory checks cannot be completed.

Any other HRFNAO aside from the four we are authorised for (listed above), cannot enter through Dover unless they have been fully checked and cleared within the EU, demonstrated by a CHED-D that has been signed, stamped and marked as ‘valid’ by an EU Border Control Post. Where notified of a consignment, Dover Port Health Authority will request a copy of the endorsed and valid CHED-D as evidence of completion of these checks. Please note, consignments which are accompanied by an ‘Authorised for Transit’ EU CHED-D have not been fully checked and are only authorising the consignment’s transit through the EU, therefore they are not the same as ‘Valid’ CHED-Ds.

You can find information regarding alternative Border Control Points which may be authorised for the type of HRFNAO you are looking to import into Great Britain at UK border control posts: animal and animal product imports - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We also take this opportunity to remind you that any consignments subject to documentary, identification and/or physical checks by Dover Port Health Authority must remain in Dover until checks have been completed and the CHED-D has been endorsed.

For more information on HRFNAO please see our website at: High Risk Food Not of Animal Origin (HRFNAO) (dover.gov.uk), or government pages at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/importing-live-animals-or-animal-products-from-non-eu-countries.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at porthealth@dover.gov.uk.