Importing and exporting fresh fruit and vegetables
Rules for importing, exporting and moving fresh fruit and vegetables to, from and around the UK.
Import controls on EU goods to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) planned from July will not be introduced in 2022. The controls that have already been introduced remain in place. This page will be updated in autumn 2022.2022 with new dates for import controls.
All fruit and vegetables imported to or exported from the UK must meet the relevant quality and labelling rules (marketing standards)..
Importing fruit and vegetables from the EU to Great Britain
Some fruit and vegetables imported from the EU (except the Republic of Ireland) will need to go through plant health controls. Check which goods are affected.
UntilThe 1 July 2022, the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate (HMI) inspects imports in England and Wales. Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) will carry out some quality and labelling checks on fruit and vegetables inland.
From 1 July 2022, imports from the EU (including the Republic of Ireland) will:
becheckedroutinelyattheGBborderneedtomeetthesamerequirementsasimportsfromnon-EUcountries
HMI inspects imports in England and Wales. SASA inspects imports in Scotland.
If HMI or SASA decide to check your consignment, they’ll tell you that you need to apply for a GB-issued certificate of conformity for your consignment.
A certificate of conformity shows that the product meets the Specific Marketing Standards for that product.
To apply for a certificate of conformity:
- if you’re importing into England and Wales, use the Procedure for Electronic Application for Certificates from the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate (PEACH) system
- if you’re importing into
EnglandScotland,andWales ifatyou’reimportingintoScotlandhort.marketing@gov.scot.
UpcomingImporting changesfruit and vegetables from the EU to PEACHGreat Britain from 1 January 2024
From 1 January 2024, imports from the EU (including the Republic of Ireland) will:
- be checked routinely at the GB border
- need to meet the same requirements as imports from non-EU countries
InEU 2022,countries, with the PEACHcurrent exception of Lithuania, have GB systemApproved willInspection Service (AIS) status. This means they’ll be changingable to aissue newcertificates ITof systemconformity calledfor IPAFFS.all You’llfresh getfruit anand invitationvegetable toproducts. registerProducts forwith IPAFFS.a Youcertificate shouldof continueconformity towill useneed PEACHfewer forchecks importat pre-notificationsthe untilGB then.border.
Moving fruit and vegetables from Northern Ireland to Great Britain
YouTo can move fruit and vegetables from Northern Ireland to Great BritainBritain, init thewill sameneed wayto asmeet youGB didmarketing before 1 January 2021.standards.
ReadFollow the guidance on moving plants and plant products from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.
Importing fruit and vegetables from the EU to Northern Ireland
YouTo can import fruit and vegetables from the EU to Northern IrelandIreland, infollow the same way as you did before 1 January 2021.
Read DAERA’s guidance on importing plants and plant products from the EU to Northern Ireland.
Importing fruit and vegetables directly from non-EU countries to theGreat UKBritain
All goods whichthat have to meet the Specific Marketing StandardStandards (SMS) need a certificate of conformity before they can enter Great Britain.
You’ll need a GB-issued certificate of conformity unless your SMS consignment meets both of the following criteria:
- it’s from a country that has GB Approved Inspection Service (AIS) status
- it’s accompanied by a valid certificate of conformity issued by the country of production
Non-EU countries with AIS status can issue a certificate of conformity to show that the product meets the SMS. The followingproduct countriesmust andoriginate productsfrom the country issuing the certificate.
Products that enter Great Britain from a country with GB AIS status that are accompanied by a certificate of conformity need fewer checks.
The following non-EU countries have GB AIS status:status for the following products:
- India (all fresh fruit and vegetables)
- Israel (all fresh fruit and vegetables)
- Kenya (all fresh fruit and vegetables)
- Morocco (all fresh fruit and vegetables)
- New Zealand (apples, pears and kiwi fruit)
- Senegal (all fresh fruit and vegetables)
- South Africa (all fresh fruit and vegetables)
- Switzerland (all fresh fruit and vegetables apart from citrus fruit)
- Turkey (all fresh fruit and vegetables)
MostHMI inspects imports accompaniedin byEngland aand certificateWales. SASA inspects imports in Scotland. You must pre-notify HMI on PEACH of conformityyour fromintention countriesto withimport GBfruit and vegetables subject to SMS, even if:
- you’re importing from a country that has AIS status
- you
dohavenotaneedcertificateroutineofqualityconformityandthat’slabellingissued(marketingbystandards)thatchecks.country
HMI or SASA willmay inspect a small sample atof randomgoods from countries with GB AIS status to make sure thatthey goods comply with the quality and labelling rules.
Some goods that have to meet the General Marketing Standard (GMS) will be checked to make sure they meet quality and labelling requirements. If HMI or SASA decidedecides to check your consignment, you’ll need to apply for a GB-issued certificate of conformity.
To apply for a certificate of conformity:
usePEACHWalescontactWales,SASAuseifyou’reimportingtoScotland
You must apply for a certificate of conformity for GMS goods on PEACH even
Check if you need a phytosanitary certificate to import fruit and vegetables into Great Britain.
If you’re importing fruit and vegetables to Northern Ireland, read DAERA’s guidance on importing plants and plant products.
Upcoming changes to PEACH
In 2023, the PEACH system will be changing to a new IT system called the import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS).
You’ll get an invitation to register for IPAFFS. You should continue to use PEACH for import pre-notifications until then.
High-priority goods
If you import high-priority products, both the Plant Health and Seed Inspectorate (PHSI) and HMI (in England and Wales) will inspect your goods more than once. They’ll check that they meet quality and labelling rules (marketing standards) and plant health regulations.
Read guidance on high-priority goods and how to import them to the UK.
Importing fruit and vegetables from non-EU countries to theGreat UKBritain via the EU
Horticultural inspectors are continuing to assess fruit and vegetables travelling in transit from non-EU countries through the EU to theGreat UKBritain to:
- determine whether an inspection is required at the border
- make sure that they comply with
theGBUK’s
HMI and PHSI may check produce regulated by both GB marketing standards and plant health regulations in England and Wales. SASA carry out inspections on produce in Scotland.
HMI and PHSI carry out most quality and labelling (marketing standards) checks at the border. PHSI may check produce at inland plant health facilities.
If you import fruit and vegetables into theGreat UKBritain from a non-EU country and a proportion of your consignment is re-exported to the EU, your consignment needs to undergo both import and export processes.
Importing green bananas from the EU and non-EU countries to theGreat UKBritain
ToYou’ll need an inspection certificate to import green bananas fromto aGreat non-EUBritain. countryTo import green bananas to Great Britain, you must:
- notify HMI on PEACH if you’re importing into England and Wales
HMI or SASA willmay inspect your consignment at the border.
Until 1 July 2022, HMI and SASA may check that green banana imports from the EU meet GB marketing standards.
From 1 JulyJanuary 2022:2024:
- you’ll need an inspection certificate to import green bananas from the EU to Great Britain
- HMI and SASA will inspect all green banana imports from the EU routinely, in the same way as non-EU imports
To apply for an inspection certificate:
- use PEACH if you’re importing to England or Wales
If you’re an exempt trader, you will:
- be exempt for the period that your exemption certificate remains valid
- not need a GB inspection certificate when importing green bananas
You’ll need to notify HMI or SASA about your consignment on PEACH, inor thecontact sameSASA wayif asyou forare non-EUin imports.Scotland. Both exempt traders and traders that are not exempt must do this.
To check your exemption status, email:
- HMI at peachenquiries@apha.gov.uk if you’re in England or Wales
- SASA at hort.marketing@gov.scot if you’re in Scotland
Contact DAERA for guidance on importing green bananas to Northern Ireland.
Exporting fruit and vegetables from Great Britain to the EU
You need a phytosanitary certificate to export some fruit and vegetables from Great Britain to the EU.
If you’re exporting goods that are covered by Specific Marketing Standards (SMS)), then you willmay need a certificate of conformity for your goodgoods to get customs clearance in Great Britain.
You do not need a certificate of conformity for goods covered by generalGeneral marketingMarketing standardsStandards (GMS) to get customs clearance in Great Britain. If an importing EU member state requests a certificate of conformity for GMS goods, you can apply for this in Great Britain.
If you’re in England or Wales, you can apply for a certificate of conformity using the apply for plant export certificates and inspections service. In Scotland, you should apply to SASA for this certification.
You can apply for a phytosanitary certificate and a certificate of conformity at the same time using this service.
You may also need an import certificate of conformity that’s issued at entry to the EU by the importing member state. This depends on the member state’s risk assessment for GMS and SMS goods.
The European Commission has granted the UK AIS status for fruit and vegetables.
AIS status allows GB exporters of produce grown in Great Britain to use a GB-issued certificate of conformity when getting customs clearance in the EU. A sample of consignments may be checked before they’re imported into the EU, to make sure there’s conformity with EU marketing standards.
The AIS scheme can only be used for produce grown in Great Britain. The scheme cannot be used for re-exports of third country produce from Great Britain to the EU. Re-exports of third country produce are subject to the EU’s third country import requirements.
Approved Trader Scheme (ATS)
Approved trader status means you’re identified as lower risk and will receive fewer conformity checks.
You can get approved trader status if:
- you’re a grower, packer, importer or exporter
- your business consistently meets marketing standards requirements
If you’re part of the ATS in Great Britain, you must remove the EU emblem from your UK food labels and use the replacement GB label. You should only sell your existing stock with the EU emblem in Great Britain, until your existing labels run out.
The GB label must contain the following:
‘Marketing“marketing standard for fresh fruit andvegetables’vegetables”- number of the approved trader
‘Great“GreatBritain’Britain” or‘“GB’”
For more information about ATS, contact:
-
HMI by emailing
APHAHMIATSapproval@apha.gov.ukaphahmiatsapproval@apha.gov.uk (England and Wales) - SASA’s Horticulture and Marketing Unit by emailing hort.marketing@gov.scot (Scotland)
If you’re part of the ATS in Northern Ireland, you can continue to use the EU ATS label.
Moving fruit and vegetables from Great Britain to Northern Ireland
Fruit and vegetables moved from Great Britain to Northern Ireland need to enter through designated points of entry and meet EU import marketing standards requirements.
A risk-based approach applies to controls on fruit and vegetables from Great Britain at points of entry in Northern Ireland. In line with the very low risk posed by GB goods, SMS and GMS goods can be released into free circulation (declared and customs duties paid) in Northern Ireland without needing a GB-issued certificate of conformity. This may change on the basis of risk.
For more information, read guidance on moving goods into, out of,of or through Northern Ireland.
Exporting fruit and vegetables from Northern Ireland to the EU
YouTo can export fruit and vegetables from Northern Ireland to the EUEU, infollow the same way as you did before 1 January 2021.
Read the guidance on exporting plants and plant products from Northern Ireland to the EU.
Exporting fruit and vegetables directly from the UK to non-EU countries
You must check that you meet the quality and labelling rules for the country you’re exporting to before sending your consignment.
All SMS products mustmay haveneed a GB-issued certificate of conformity to get customs clearance in Great Britain.
GMS goods do not need a GB-issued certificate of conformity to get customs clearance in Great Britain.
Most fruit and vegetables need a phytosanitary certificate before they’re exported from the UK to a non-EU country. You can save time by applying for a phytosanitary certificate and a certificate of conformity at the same time. If you want to apply for both certificates at the same time, apply for the phytosanitary application first.
If you’re exporting fruit and vegetables to Northern Ireland, read DAERA’s guidance on exporting plants and plant products.
Exporting green bananas from the UK to the EU and non-EU countries
You do not need an inspection or exemption certificate for green bananas to clear UK customs.
You must check that you meet the quality and labelling rules for the country you’re exporting to before sending your consignment.
You can check each country’s rules by either:
- talking to your importer
- getting help researching your export market
Rejected goods
You’ll need to submit a PEACH application requesting a GB-issued certificate of conformity for SMS goods, if both of the following conditions apply:
- your consignment of SMS products is rejected by the EU
- you want these products released into GB free circulation (declared and customs duties paid)
If both of these conditions apply to your consignment of GMS products, you may need to submit a PEACH application requesting a GB-issued certificate of conformity for GMS goods. You should follow the import procedures for GMS goods.
If you want your consignment to return to Scotland, contact SASA Horticulture and Marketing Unit at hort.marketing@gov.scot.
If you need help
Contact defrahorticulture@defra.gov.uk if you have any queries. You should receive a response within 5 working days.
Last updated
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Changes to import controls were due to come into effect in July 2022 and have been postponed. Multiple adjustments have been made to the page to reflect this.
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Updated the information in 'Exporting fruit and vegetables from Great Britain to the EU'.
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Import controls on EU goods to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) planned from July will not be introduced in 2022. The controls that have already been introduced remain in place. This page will be updated in autumn 2022.
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Guidance updated to show change in rules from 1 January 2022 for imports from the Republic of Ireland to Great Britain.
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Updated guidance on: * importing fruit and vegetables from the EU to Great Britain * importing fruit and vegetables, including green bananas, from non-EU countries to the UK * exporting fruit and vegetables, including green bananas, from the UK to EU and non-EU countries
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First published.