Contents
- 1. Which food products need special documents?
- 2. EHC — Export Health Certificate
- 3. IPAFFS — Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System
- 4. SPS Checks — Sanitary and Phytosanitary
- 5. Food labelling requirements in the UK
- 6. HS codes for typical food products
- 7. Cost of customs clearance for food exports to the UK
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Exporting food from Poland to the UK after Brexit requires meeting a number of formal requirements that were significantly tightened in 2025. Animal and plant products are subject to mandatory checks at Border Control Posts (BCPs), and exporters must pre-notify shipments through the IPAFFS system. In this guide you will find all the requirements for exporting food to the UK in 2026 — from EHC certificates, through IPAFFS notifications, to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) control procedures and labelling requirements. Learn the UK customs basics and get your business ready to export.
1. Which food products need special documents?
The scope of the requirements depends primarily on the product category. The table below shows the breakdown by goods category and required documents.
| Product category | Examples | EHC | IPAFFS | Phytosanitary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal products | Meat, dairy, eggs, fish, honey | Required | Required | Not applicable |
| Plant products (high risk) | Fruit, vegetables, cereals, seedlings | Not required | Required | Required |
| Processed food (with animal ingredients) | Cured meats, pâtés, egg products | Required | Required | Not applicable |
| Processed food (non-animal) | Tinned vegetables, jams, pasta | Not required | Since Oct 2024 | Not applicable |
| Bakery and confectionery | Bread, biscuits, chocolate | Depends on composition | Random | Not applicable |
2. EHC — Export Health Certificate
What is an EHC?
An official veterinary document confirming that animal products meet the health and veterinary standards in force in the United Kingdom.
Who issues it?
An Official Veterinarian in Poland — through the District Veterinary Inspectorate (PIW) or the Sanitary Inspectorate (Sanepid) for certain categories.
When is it required?
For every shipment of meat, dairy, eggs, meat products, certain fish and aquaculture products.
Cost and validity
Approximately PLN 50–200 per certificate (depends on the region and type of product). Validity: usually 10–30 days from the date of issue.
How to obtain an EHC — step by step
Contact the District Veterinary Inspectorate (PIW) responsible for the place of production or dispatch of the goods.
Submit an application with the shipment details: type of product, HS code, quantity, exporter and UK importer details, planned dispatch date.
Arrange an inspection — the official veterinarian may require an inspection of the facility or the batch of goods before issuing the certificate.
Collect the EHC (on paper or electronically through the TRACES NT system) and attach it to the customs documents.
Send the UK importer a scan of the EHC before dispatch — needed for the IPAFFS notification at least 24 hours before arrival.
3. IPAFFS — Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System
IPAFFS is the UK's IT system for pre-notifying shipments of food, feed and animals entering the United Kingdom. It replaced the earlier TRACES system for EU–UK trade.
| Goods category | Requirement in force since | Notification deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Animal products (meat, dairy, fish) | October 2021 | Min. 24h before arrival |
| High-risk plants (fruit, vegetables) | January 2022 | Min. 4h before arrival (or 1 working day) |
| Other plants and non-animal food | October 2024 | Min. 4h before arrival |
Who submits the IPAFFS notification?
The IPAFFS notification is submitted by the importer in the UK or their customs agency. The Polish exporter does not have direct access to the system — however, they must provide the importer with all the necessary documents before dispatch:
- Export Health Certificate (EHC) — for animal products
- Phytosanitary Certificate — for high-risk plant products
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list with a detailed specification of the goods
- Vehicle or container registration number
4. SPS Checks — Sanitary and Phytosanitary
Since 30 April 2024, the UK has introduced mandatory SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) checks for imports of food and agricultural products from the EU. This is part of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).
Border Control Posts (BCPs)
SPS checks take place only at designated Border Control Posts:
| BCP | Handles | Type of check |
|---|---|---|
| Dover Cargo Terminal | RoRo road transport | Documentary + physical |
| Heathrow (T4) | Air cargo | Documentary + physical |
| Tilbury (Port of London) | Sea containers | Documentary + physical |
| Coventry (BCP) | Inland air cargo | Documentary |
| Manchester Airport | Air cargo | Documentary + physical |
Frequency of checks in 2026
Animal products — high risk
100% document checks
50% physical checks (inspection of the goods)
50% identity checks
Plants — high risk
Up to 100% documentary and phytosanitary checks
The rate depends on the risk history for the given product and country
Non-animal food — low risk
1–10% random checks
Mostly documentary checks without a physical inspection of the goods
Duration of checks
Documentary check: 2–4 h
Physical check: up to 24 h
Plan with a buffer for chilled products!
You can find detailed information on regulatory changes in the article: UK customs changes 2025–2026.
5. Food labelling requirements in the UK
Since 1 January 2021, food products exported to the UK must meet UK, not EU, labelling requirements. Key differences:
| Label element | UK requirement (post-Brexit) |
|---|---|
| Language | English mandatory (translation of Polish labels required) |
| Importer's address | Full address of the UK importer — required directly on the label |
| Organic food marking | "UK Organic" instead of the EU Organic logo |
| Best-before date | DD/MM/YYYY format or "Best before" / "Use by" |
| Allergens | 14 allergens highlighted in bold type or a contrasting colour |
| Food-grade equipment marking | "UKCA" instead of "CE" (for equipment and packaging in contact with food) |
| Nutritional values | A nutrition table is required — in metric units (kcal, g) |
6. HS codes for typical food products
Correct tariff classification (HS/CN code) is essential for filling in customs documents correctly and determining any duties. Below are the most commonly used codes for Polish food exports to the UK:
0201–0202Beef (fresh/chilled and frozen)0203Pork0207Poultry meat (chicken, turkey)0302–0304Fish (fresh, frozen, fillets)0401–0406Dairy (milk, cream, yoghurt, cheese, butter)0407–0408Eggs and egg products0701–0709Fresh and chilled vegetables0710Frozen vegetables0801–0814Fresh fruit and nuts1601–1602Meat preparations (cured meats, sausages, pâtés)1901–1905Bread, confectionery, pasta, cereal products2001–2009Processed vegetables and fruit (tins, jams, juices)2101–2106Miscellaneous food preparations (coffee extract, yeast, sauces)
Detailed customs clearance prices depend, among other things, on the HS code and the risk category of the goods.
7. Cost of customs clearance for food exports to the UK
Indicative price ranges (2026)
Export clearance (PL → UK) from £45 to £120 IPAFFS notification (on the UK side) included in the service Consultation on EHC and SPS requirements from £50 UK import clearance (if required) from £45 to £150Comprehensive customs handling for food exports to the UK is provided by Easy Clearance — UK customs agency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an EHC for every shipment of meat to the UK?
Yes, every shipment of meat products requires its own Export Health Certificate issued by the Veterinary Inspectorate. The EHC is not reusable — a single certificate cannot cover several different shipments.
Who submits the IPAFFS notification — the exporter or the importer?
The IPAFFS notification is submitted by the importer in the UK or their customs agency. The Polish exporter does not have direct access to the IPAFFS system, but must provide the importer with the required documents (EHC, invoice, packing list) sufficiently early — at least 24h before arrival for animal products.
How long does an SPS check take at the UK border?
A documentary check usually takes 2–4 hours. A physical check (inspection of the goods) can take up to 24 hours. It is worth planning ahead, especially for chilled products — a delayed check can put the quality of the goods at risk.
Do confectionery and bakery products require an EHC?
Usually not — provided the bread and confectionery products do not contain meat or egg ingredients above certain thresholds. However, it is worth checking this for each product, as UK rules can vary depending on composition. Products containing, for example, bacon or significant amounts of egg may require an EHC.
Does Easy Clearance help with veterinary documents?
Easy Clearance does not issue veterinary documents (that is the role of the Veterinary Inspectorate), but we advise on which certificates are required for specific products and help coordinate the whole clearance process, including the IPAFFS notification on the UK side. Contact us via WhatsApp before shipping — we will check the requirements for your goods.
Related guides
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