By law we have a duty to control the importation of foodstuffs.

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Port Health Officers monitor the imports of food by checking the manifests. If the information on the manifest is not sufficiently detailed or it appears that the consignment should be subject to controls it will be held/detained at the port. The nominated agent will be notified that it's detained.

If your consignment is detained you will need to contact Port Health providing further information. If you do not believe that it should be subject to port health controls, documents such as a copy of the invoice and Bill of Lading will be required to prove what the consignment is. If your consignment is a controlled product you will need to provide the relevant certification.


Products of animal origin (POAO)

Grangemouth is not a Border Control Post (BCP) for products of animal origin.

Advice is available from Food Standards Scotland and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)/Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

HM Revenue & Customs are responsible for the control of illegal food imports.


Imported food of non-animal origin

Grangemouth is not a Border Control Post for high-risk food not of animal origin.

Some products are subject to enhanced import controls where there are known or emerging risks, and can only enter via specific ports that are approved to receive them. Such products are known as high risk products and can only enter through relevant BCPs.

A list of high risk products can be found within the Products not of Animal Origin section of Food Standards Scotland website.

Advice is available from Food Standards Scotland and Food Standards Agency.

Imported food cargoes are checked to make sure they comply with a number of regulations. We may take samples to make sure the cargo meets regulations. Rejected cargoes are re-exported or destroyed. They may be allowed to proceed under strict supervision under some circumstances.


Plastic kitchenware

Grangemouth is a Border Control Post for plastic kitchenware from China and Hong Kong.

To import plastic kitchenware from China or Hong Kong you must meet The Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions on Imports from China) (Scotland) Regulations 2011.

Importers/food businesses must pre-notify Port Health at least 2 working days in advance of the estimated date of arrival of consignments. The importer must submit a declaration and a laboratory report for each consignment confirming that it meets the requirements concerning the release of primary aromatic amines and formaldehyde. There is a charge for this service.

Food Standards Scotland has more information.


Organic imports

Grangemouth Port Health must be notified at least 24 hours prior to the arrival of a consignment of organic produce.

A Certificate of Inspection must be provided for each consignment so the Port Health Officers can carry out the verification. There is a charge of £45 to verify each Certificate.

More information is available from DEFRA.


Personal food imports

More information on this is available from the GOV.UK website.