Lebensmittel: Einfuhruntersuchung

As an entrepreneur, you import food into the EU? Then you must ensure that the prescribed import inspections are carried out properly. When importing food of animal origin (as well as live animals), the person responsible for the transport must notify the competent authority in advance of the arrival of the consignment at the border inspection post.

An import inspection is carried out by the authority responsible for the border inspection post, which includes a document check, an identity check (visual inspection) and an examination of the goods.

Certain examinations are also carried out when importing foodstuffs of non-animal origin. Information on this can be obtained from the competent authority.

• common veterinary document for import
• veterinary certificate
• import permit, if necessary
• goods to be imported

The arrival of the consignment subject to import inspection shall be notified to the competent border inspection post at least one working day before the arrival of the consignment by presenting the common veterinary document for import.

• If necessary, different procedures are to be applied with regard to the import inspection. The authority responsible for the border inspection post can provide information on this.
• The import of animal foodstuffs may be subject to an import ban due to animal health and/or foodstuff regulations.
• Under certain conditions, exceptions to the import ban may be permitted. This applies, for example, to the import of food samples and specimens and the import for trade fairs and exhibitions.

Commercial imports of foodstuffs can only be cleared through border inspection posts (GKS) approved for this purpose.