Importing Organic/BIO Products to the UK — Duty, Organic Certificates and HMRC Requirements
The UK is one of the largest organic food markets in Europe. After Brexit the UK introduced its own organic certification rules, independent of the EU system. For Polish organic food producers exporting to the UK this means new obligations — this article explains exactly what you need to know.
An organic/BIO certificate does not reduce the duty rate on imports to the UK — the rate depends solely on the HS code. However, the certificate is required if you wish to sell the product in the UK labelled as "organic". Without a valid certificate recognised by DEFRA or a UK CAB, using the term "organic" on the label in the UK is not permitted.
Legal Framework — UK Organic Regulations after Brexit
The United Kingdom regulates the production and import of organic products through:
- Organic Products Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/842) — amended by transitional provisions after Brexit, retained as retained EU law with modifications.
- The Organic Products (Imports) Regulations 2022 — new rules governing the import of organic products from outside the UK, including from the EU.
- DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) — the principal body responsible for organic policy in the UK.
After the end of the transition period (end of 2021) the UK does not automatically recognise organic certificates issued by certification bodies accredited solely within the EU. It is necessary to hold a certificate from a body recognised by the UK, or to export from a country recognised by DEFRA.
Duty Rates for Organic Products — What to Know
As noted above, duty rates on organic products are identical to those for their conventional equivalents in the same CN category. Examples:
| Product | HS code | UK TCA rate (from Poland) | UK VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organic apples (fresh) | 0808.10 | 0% (TCA) | 0% |
| Organic buckwheat groats | 1008.10 | 0% (TCA) | 0% |
| Organic rapeseed oil | 1514.11 | 3.5% (standard) | 0% |
| Processed organic food | various | 0–12% (depends on code) | 0% or 20% |
Preferential rates (0%) require compliance with TCA rules of origin. Indicative price ranges — exact quote provided upon receipt of documents.
Certification Requirements — UK CAB and Approved Third Countries
What Is a UK CAB?
A UK CAB (UK Conformity Assessed Body or UK Control Body for organics) is a certification body approved by DEFRA to certify organic producers operating in the UK or to certify organic imports to the UK. The current list of approved UK CABs is available at gov.uk.
Main UK CABs approving organic producers in the UK and importers:
- Soil Association Certification Ltd.
- Control Union UK Ltd.
- BDAA Certification (Biodynamic Association).
- OF&G (Organic Farmers and Growers).
- QCL (Quality Certification Ltd).
Poland as a Third Country Recognised by DEFRA
DEFRA maintains a list of third countries whose organic certification systems are recognised as equivalent to UK requirements. After Brexit, Poland (as an EU member state) went through a transitional period. Since 2022, organic imports from the EU (including Poland) are treated as imports from a third country and require a certificate issued by a body on the DEFRA list or a certificate compliant with UK Organic Equivalence requirements.
Practical steps for a Polish organic exporter:
- Check whether your Polish certification body (e.g. Ekogwarancja PTRE, COBICO, Bioekspert) appears on the DEFRA list as recognised for the UK.
- If not — contact a UK CAB directly (e.g. Control Union UK or Soil Association) to obtain a UK certificate.
- Ensure the certificate includes lot numbers consistent with the OCDE (Organic Certificate Data Exchange).
Documents Required for Organic Imports to the UK
Each shipment of organic products to the UK must be accompanied by:
- Producer's organic certificate — issued by a recognised UK CAB or equivalent body.
- Certificate of Inspection (CoI) — a document confirming that the specific consignment complies with UK organic standards. Issued by the certification body for each shipment.
- Commercial invoice — clearly stating "organic" and referencing the certificate.
- Waybill describing the goods as "organic".
HMRC Border Force and the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) may verify organic documentation at the border. The absence of a valid CoI can result in the shipment being held or the prohibition of using the "organic" label on the product being sold.
Differences: EU Organic Certification vs UK Organic Certification
This is a common question from Polish producers. Here are the key differences:
| Aspect | EU Organic Certificate | UK Organic Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | EU Reg. 2018/848 | UK Organic Products Regulations 2009 + 2022 |
| Label marking | EU Organic Logo (green leaf) | No own logo — "organic" + UK CAB number |
| Mutual recognition | Not automatically recognised in the UK | May not be recognised in the EU without a separate certificate |
| Supervising body | EC + national inspectorates (IJHARS in Poland) | DEFRA + UK CABs |
Organic Certification Costs for Exporters to the UK
Certification costs are individual, but indicative ranges are:
- Annual inspection and certificate for a small producer (farm up to 50 ha): from PLN 500 to PLN 3,000 per year.
- Certificate of Inspection (CoI) per shipment: from PLN 50 to PLN 300.
- Additional UK CAB accreditation (if the Polish body is not recognised): from £300 to £1,500 per year.
- DEFRA audit (for new exporters seeking recognition): administrative time and costs.
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FAQ — Importing Organic/BIO Products to the UK
Do organic/BIO products attract lower duty rates when imported to the UK? expand_more
No — organic-certified products do not benefit from lower duty rates. The duty rate depends solely on the HS/CN code of the goods. The organic certificate affects documentation requirements and the right to use the term "organic" on labels in the UK.
What organic certificate is required for imports to the UK? expand_more
A certificate issued by a UK-approved Control Body (UK CAB) or a body from a country recognised by the UK as an Approved Third Country is required. Polish organic certificates from accredited bodies may be recognised, but this requires confirmation through the Organic Certificate Data Exchange (OCDE).
Where do I register as an organic exporter to the UK? expand_more
A Polish exporter should ensure its certification body is on the list of UK Approved Control Bodies or that Poland is listed as an Approved Third Country by DEFRA. Information is available at gov.uk/guidance/organic-farming and through the Organic Certificate Data Exchange (OCDE).
What is the difference between EU organic certification and UK organic certification? expand_more
EU organic certification (EU Organic Logo, Reg. 2018/848) and UK organic are two separate systems since Brexit. EU organic certification is not automatically recognised in the UK — Polish companies must check whether their certification body is active in the UK system or apply for additional recognition.
How much does organic certification cost for export to the UK? expand_more
Indicatively: annual inspection and certificate for a small producer — from PLN 500 to PLN 3,000. Certificate of Inspection per shipment: from PLN 50 to PLN 300. Additional UK CAB accreditation: from £300 to £1,500 per year. Costs vary by certification body and production scale.