Logo Dutch central governmentLogo Business.gov.nl, government information for entrepreneurs.MenuSearchSearchHomeRunning your businessInternational businessDoing business with the UK after Brexit

Brexit: agriculture, fisheries and foodstuffs

This information is provided by:BrexitloketBrexitloketNetherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, NVWANetherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, NVWA

Do you export or import foodstuffs, vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, or live animals? You have to deal with certificates and permits, checks, and customs formalities. You may also face longer waiting times at the border and higher transport costs.

Based on the Border Operating Model (BOM), certification of 'high-risk' agricultural goods, such as trees, perennial plants, and live animals is now mandatory. UK import controls on these products will remain as they are.

Set out your route

Make sure you plan your transport well ahead and map out the route. Not all ports perform inspections.

Plants and plant products

Do you want to export plant products to the UK? You have to deal with phytosanitary export certificates and government checks. Also, different rules apply for products, product labelling or product packaging when exporting to a non-EU country.

Importing live animals and animal products

The following information applies to the import of:

  • live animals and live products (semen, embryos and hatching eggs)
  • products of animal origin (meat, fish, dairy, eggs and animal by-products)
  • animal feed
  • hay and straw. Read more about hay and straw (in Dutch)

For importers in the Netherlands, 3 things change:

1. Certify: the exporter must have the cargo certified

Every import shipment must be accompanied by health certificates. These are issued by the official regulator in the United Kingdom. The exporter in the UK applies for the health certificates.

2. Pre-notification: the import shipment must be pre-notified

Import from the UK must be pre-notified with a designated border control post in the UK. This can done by the exporter, the importer, or a customs agent. For more information, please contact the trade association FENEX (in Dutch).

3. Import inspection: the NVWA carries out an import inspection

If you import animals or animal products, they must enter the EU through an approved Border Control Post (BCP). NVWA will check the animals (products) and necessary documents upon arrival. They do this in cooperation with Dutch Customs. They also check if the goods are suitable for the purpose for which they are imported. For example, is the product suitable for consumption? Samples can also be taken here. The physical check may only take place at a BCP. Read more about importing live animals and animal products (in Dutch)

Things to consider when exporting: foodstuffs and agriculture

It has become harder to export foodstuffs and agricultural products to the United Kingdom. Agricultural products, vegetables, fruit, meat and live animals need to have an export certificate, among other things. If you do not have experience with trading outside the EU, start preparing well ahead.

Agricultural inspection and certifying authorities

Sector organisations

Related articles

To top