Documents needed to import food into the UK

Last updated: 17 October 2026. This guide covers permanent imports into Great Britain. Northern Ireland, post and temporary imports follow different rules. Confirm each point on GOV.UK before you ship.

Food entering Great Britain needs a customs declaration with a GB EORI number and a commodity code. Products of animal origin and high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin also need an import notification in IPAFFS, called a CHED, and entry through a border control post. Medium-risk animal products need a health certificate.

Documents for every food shipment.

• GB EORI number. You need one to make the import declaration for England, Wales or Scotland.
• Commodity code. It goes on the declaration. It sets the duty rate and shows whether a licence or certificate is needed.
• Customs declaration and customs value. The value is the basis for duty and VAT. You can lodge the declaration yourself or appoint a customs agent.
• Commercial invoice. Keep it with your customs paperwork.
• Trade agreement evidence, if you claim reduced duty. Check what proof the agreement requires.
• Records. Keep commercial invoices and customs paperwork. VAT-registered importers also keep the import VAT certificate (C79) to reclaim import VAT.

Food must also meet UK marking and labelling standards.

Animal-origin food.

Meat, eggs, dairy, honey, gelatine and other products of animal origin for human consumption are low or medium risk. GOV.UK says:

• Import only from approved countries and approved establishments, and check for disease-related restrictions.
• Medium risk: a health certificate is required. It is issued in the country where the product was last exported, processed or checked, and it shows whether an official importer declaration is also needed.
• Low risk: a commercial document is required instead. It travels with the consignment and states the product description, quantity or label copy, sender and recipient names, premises addresses, a lot or batch reference, the dispatch date and transporter details.
• An import licence or authorisation may be needed if no health certificate exists.
• CHED-P in IPAFFS: make the notification at least one working day before the goods are expected to arrive at the point of entry.
• Goods must enter through a point of entry with a border control post. Checks may be carried out, and a fee applies. Do not remove the consignment until the CHED is validated.
• Customs declaration: enter the CHED reference in data element 2/3 in the format GBCHDyyyy.nnnnnnn, with document code N853 for CHED-P. Missing CHED references can cause goods to be held.

If a product mixes commodity types, file a separate notification for each type and put the other CHED reference numbers on each commercial document.

High-risk food of non-animal origin.

Importers must pre-notify the authorities before high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin arrives in Great Britain, using a CHED-D in IPAFFS. The customs document code for CHED-D is C678. GOV.UK lists laboratory analyses, health certificates and commercial documents for these goods, and says the original, not a copy, of an official certificate must travel with the consignment. It also states how long analyses and certificates stay valid, so check the current validity periods.

The products on the list change. Examples GOV.UK gives under emergency controls include rice products from China, certain nuts, fruit, seeds, dried spices and guar gum. Check the current Food Standards Agency list for your product and country of origin before you ship.

Checks to run before the shipment leaves.

1. Compare the commodity code on the invoice, packing list, certificate and customs declaration.
2. Compare the country of origin, exporter and manufacturer across the certificate, invoice and transport document.
3. For animal-origin food, check that the establishment is approved and that the certificate or commercial document covers the product.
4. For low-risk animal products, check that the commercial document has every required item, including the lot or batch reference and dispatch date.
5. Compare lot numbers, quantities and weights across the certificate, commercial documents and packing list.
6. Check that the CHED reference appears in the customs declaration, and on the commercial document for mixed consignments.
7. Check certificate and analysis dates against the validity periods, and that the original certificate travels with the goods where required.
8. Check that the importer's name, address and EORI number match on every document. Keep a dated record of every check.

Common questions.

How far ahead must food be pre-notified for Great Britain?

For products of animal origin, and for high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin, the import notification is made in IPAFFS at least one working day before the goods are expected to arrive at the point of entry.

What is a CHED in the UK?

A Common Health Entry Document, the import notification made in IPAFFS. CHED-P covers products of animal origin and CHED-D covers high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin. Its reference goes into the customs declaration.

Do all foods need a health certificate for Great Britain?

No. Medium-risk animal products need a health certificate, and low-risk animal products need a commercial document. High-risk food and feed of non-animal origin needs the laboratory analyses, certificates and commercial documents that GOV.UK lists. Other food is covered by the customs documents, so check your commodity code for any licence or certificate requirement.

Sources.

• GOV.UK, Import goods into the UK
• GOV.UK, Import animal products for human consumption to Great Britain
• GOV.UK, Importing live animals, animal products and high risk food and feed of non-animal origin from non-EU countries to Great Britain
• Food Standards Agency, Notifying authorities of high-risk food and feed imports

This guide is information, not legal advice. Port health authorities and GOV.UK have the current rules for your product and route.