Do you export or import foodstuffs, vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, or live animals? Since 1 January 2021, you have to deal with certificates and permits, checks and customs formalities. You have to face longer waiting times at the border and higher transport costs.
The Border operating model
The UK has drawn up its own new rules that are described in the Border operating model, BOM. This is separate from the trade agreement reached by the EU and the UK. It describes new rules to specific groups of products, including foodstuffs, vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, and live animals. The new rules will come into effect in different phases on 1 October 2021, 1 January 2022. Read more. Formalities regarding low-risk products (vegetables, fruits, plants, and flowers) have been postponed until end 2023.
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)
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 whether 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)
5 things to do 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.
Note: The veterinary and phytosanitary certification of 'low-risk' products (vegetables, fruits, plants, and flowers) and these product passing a designated border control post in the UK has been postponed until end 2023. It will become part of the Target Operating Model (TOM) that will replace BOM. Information about TOM will be published in the fall of 2022.
Q&A about the TCA
There is an extensive Q&A about the Brexit Trade Agreement available on the website of the European Commission. It explains what the new rules mean for different sectors, such as trade in goods, fisheries and road transport. There are nine chapters in total and you can search per sector. At the top you can choose your language. You can find answers to questions such as: What was agreed to facilitate trade in automotive? How does the Agreement contribute to trade and sustainable development? Will air carriers still have the same rights to operate between and within the EU and the UK? Note that this Q&A was published in December 2020 and therefore speaks of a draft agreement.
Agricultural inspection and certifying authorities
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NVWA (Nederlandse Voedsel- en Waren Autoriteit) supervises safety for food and consumer products (non-food), animal and plant health, and animal welfare, and enforces nature legislation. The NVWA carries out checks and inspections on the import and export of animals, plants and products. Check the NVWA website (in Dutch) and the NVWA English Brexit section for more information.
Do you want to import animals from a non-EU country? You must comply with the rules on identification and registration of the animals. More information is available in Dutch: on cattle, on pigs and sheep and goats. Or you can contact the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
Are you an entrepreneur active in the field of milk and milk products? Contact COKZ (Centraal Orgaan voor Kwaliteitsaangelegenheden in de Zuivel, the Netherlands Controlling Authority for Milk and Milk Products) to find out more about the consequences of Brexit for your company. COKZ also performs checks on behalf of the egg sector. See also: Approval and registration of dairy companies.
KCB Are you an entrepreneur in the horticulture sector? Contact the KCB (Quality Control Bureau, in Dutch) to find out what you need to do business with a non-EU country. KCB performs import and export inspections of fresh fruit and vegetables, cut flowers and potted plants/ornamentals. Please note: KCB is not responsible for the issuing of phytosanitary certificates.
Are you an entrepreneur in organic agriculture and horticulture? Contact Skal Biocontrol (in Dutch) to find out how Brexit affects you or read their information on Brexit and organic products (in Dutch). SKAL Biocontrole is the official certifying and monitoring body for the organic chain in the Netherlands.
Are you an entrepreneur in propagating material for agriculture? NAK (Nederlandse Algemene Keuringsdienst voor zaaizaad en pootgoed van landbouwgewassen, in Dutch) performs export and import inspections on seed potatoes, ware potatoes and agricultural seed. Export inspections for countries outside the EU will be done automatically with the regular batch inspection. Or you can apply for an inspection through the customer portal. Contact NAK (in Dutch) for more information.
Are you an entrepreneur in propagating material for flowers, trees and vegetables? Naktuinbouw monitors and promotes product quality, processes and chains in horticulture. The focus is on propagating material (seeds and planting materials). On their website you can find Dutch-language information on doing business with the UK after Brexit. If you have any specific questions relating to Brexit you can contact Naktuinbouw: T: +31 (0)71 332 61 00 E: Brexit@naktuinbouw.nl Or fill out the contact form
Are you a grower or trader in flower bulbs? Contact BKD for more information. BKD performs inspections on flower bulbs for quality, import and export, field inspections and more. BKD also offers laboratory services and tests. You can find more information on BKD’s services on their website.
To market crop protection and biocides in the Netherlands, you need a permit from Ctgb: the Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (College voor de toelating van gewasbeschermingsmiddelen en biociden). Assessment is based on harmonised EU regulations. For instance, the regulations stipulate that applicants for market authorisation must be based in the EU. Find out more about on the Ctgb website. Ctgb also issues export certificates for products confirming the given plant protection product is authorised or registered for the given field(s) of use.
Do you want to import protected plants or animals – or derivatives thereof such as feathers, shells, hides and pelts – from a non-EU country? Or do you want buy, sell or transport protected species in Europe? You may need a CITES permit or an EU certificate. You can find more information on the RVO website (in Dutch).Contact RVO
Sector organisations
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The Netherlands Agricultural and Horticultural (LTO Nederland) represents over 35,000 agricultural entrepreneurs and employers, with a commitment to the economic and social position of its members. Read more on LTO Nederland on their website.
The Dutch Fishermen's Federation is an interest group for Dutch professional fishermen, owners and seamen, in sea fishing, inshore fishing and inland fishing. Visit the Dutch Fishermen’s Federation’s website for more information (in Dutch).
VisNed is the interest group for the Dutch cutter fleet. It operates as the umbrella organisation for 5 of the 7 producer organisations (POs) in the cutter sector. Visit the Visned website for more information (in Dutch).
The Dutch Federation for the food industry (Federatie Nederlandse Levensmiddelen Industrie, FNLI) is the umbrella organisation and interest group for processing and importing businesses and sectors in the Dutch food industry. FNLI represents around 500 companies and 18 sector organisations. Visit the FNLI website for more information (in Dutch).
Current information on Brexit’s consequences for the Dutch fisheries sector can be found on the Dutch government website (in Dutch).
The Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers represents 155 sector associations and around 500 enterprises. They explain their position on Brexit on their website (in Dutch).
MKB-Nederland (translated as SME Netherlands) represent the interests of over 170,000 entrepreneurs (SMEs). They explain their position on Brexit on their website (in Dutch).
