Exporting Poultry and Meat from Poland to the UK — Veterinary Certificates and Border Controls

BTOM Requirements for Poultry Meat — Risk Categories and Documents

Poultry and red meat is classified under BTOM as high-risk animal products. This means a requirement for: EHC + IPAFFS + physical inspection at the BCP for every consignment or for a specified percentage of consignments from a given establishment. Physical checks may include document checks, identity checks of the goods (verifying that the product matches the description in the EHC and IPAFFS) and physical inspection with sampling. Meat production establishments in Poland exporting to the UK must be approved by APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency UK) and listed on the approved establishments register published on GOV.UK. Check that your establishment is on the list before your first shipment.

List of Approved Meat Establishments Exporting to the UK

A poultry or red meat production establishment must hold APHA UK approval to export to GB (Great Britain — England, Wales, Scotland). The list of approved EU establishments is published on GOV.UK and updated by APHA. Check: GOV.UK — Importing meat products into Great Britain.

If your establishment is not on the list, you cannot export meat to the UK — a prior application for approval is required (submitted through the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate in Poland, which applies to APHA). The approval procedure takes several months. Easy Clearance can advise on the procedure, but the application must be submitted by the producer through the Polish veterinary authorities.

As at 2026-04-18 check the current status of the list on gov.uk — the UK-EU SPS Area may change the approval rules for EU establishments.

EHC Requirements for Poultry Meat — Templates and Document Content

An Export Health Certificate (EHC) for poultry meat exported from Poland (EU) to the UK must be issued by an official veterinary surgeon (the District Veterinary Inspector) on a template approved by APHA. EHC templates for poultry and poultry products are available on GOV.UK — select the correct template for your product category (whole carcasses, cuts, processed poultry products). The EHC must confirm: consignment identification (batch number, production date, weight), animal health status in the country of export, status of the production establishment, compliance with UK health requirements.

EHC issue timeline: the District Veterinary Inspector must issue the EHC at least 3–5 working days before dispatch — plan your schedule accordingly. One EHC is assigned to one consignment and cannot be reused. Current list of EHC templates for meat and poultry: GOV.UK — Import meat products.

Impact of the UK-EU SPS Area on EHC Requirements for Poultry Meat

The UK-EU SPS Area agreement announced in May 2025 is intended to ultimately align UK and EU sanitary standards, which could reduce or eliminate certain EHCs for EU–UK trade. As of 2026-04-18 no formal regulatory changes have been introduced — EHC requirements for poultry meat exported from the EU to the UK remain in force.

Recommendation: As of 2026-04-18 check the current position at gov.uk/guidance/importing-meat-products-fish-and-shellfish-into-great-britain. Do not dispense with the EHC on the basis of press announcements or government statements — the requirement remains in force until a formal change to APHA/GOV.UK regulations is made. Easy Clearance informs clients of confirmed regulatory changes.

IPAFFS Pre-Notification — Procedure for the UK Importer

IPAFFS pre-notification is the responsibility of the UK importer or their representative — not the Polish exporter. However, the exporter must supply the importer with all necessary information in advance so that the importer can submit the IPAFFS notification before the lorry arrives at the BCP. Failure to submit an IPAFFS notification, or submitting it after arrival at the BCP, results in automatic detention of the consignment. The importer may apply for the situation to be rectified, but the goods wait in the BCP cold store at their own cost. This is why meat logistics to the UK requires close coordination between both parties.

When and How to Submit an IPAFFS Notification for Poultry Meat

The UK importer registers the consignment in IPAFFS (accessed via Government Gateway) at least 1 working day before the expected arrival at the BCP. In practice — for road consignments from Poland via Calais/Dover — the exporter should supply the importer with the EHC number and consignment details at least 2 working days before departure so that the importer has time to submit the notification and any corrections.

The IPAFFS notification contains: importer and exporter details, CN product code, goods description (animal species, product category, net weight, number of packages), EHC number and date, port of entry (BCP), means of transport and vehicle registration number, expected date and time of arrival. Once submitted the importer receives a CVED (Common Veterinary Entry Document) number to present at the BCP. Instructions: GOV.UK — IPAFFS.

What Happens at the Border Control Post (BCP)?

At the BCP an APHA officer or ASV (Authorised Signatory for Veterinary) checks: (1) that the EHC matches the goods in the lorry, (2) the CVED number (IPAFFS), (3) storage conditions (temperature for chilled or frozen meat), (4) product labelling and marking. Physical inspection with sampling is carried out for a specified percentage of consignments (BTOM defines the inspection rate for the relevant risk category). Negative result: goods are sent for disposal or return — cost borne by the importer/exporter per the contract.

BCPs handling meat and poultry from the EU: Dover (Freight Clearance), Holyhead, Portsmouth. Full list of BCPs: check on GOV.UK. Ensure that the meat lorry arrives at the BCP during veterinary inspection working hours — night arrivals without prior arrangement may result in inspection delays and storage costs.

HS Codes, Duty and Customs Clearance Costs for Poultry Meat from Poland

Poultry meat is classified under Chapter 02 of the Customs Tariff (HS 0207 — poultry cuts and offal). Duty rates for poultry products exported from the EU to the UK under the TCA may be 0% within tariff rate quotas (TRQ) or higher MFN rates once those are exhausted. The exporter must provide proof of preferential EU origin — a statement on the invoice or REX certificate. Below we describe the key classification and clearance cost issues.

HS Codes for Poultry Meat — HS 0207 and Subheadings

Poultry meat is classified under HS 0207 (meat and edible offal of poultry of heading 0105). Subheadings: 0207 11/12 — whole chicken carcasses (fresh/frozen); 0207 13/14 — chicken cuts (fresh/frozen); 0207 24/25/26/27 — whole turkey carcasses and cuts; 0207 41–45 — duck; 0207 51–55 — goose. For processed products (e.g. breaded, marinated) HS 1601 or 1602 applies — different classification with different customs requirements and BTOM rules.

Check the full CN code (8-digit) for your product in the HMRC Trade Tariff: trade-tariff.service.gov.uk. Incorrect classification may result in HMRC challenge and the need to pay the difference in duty plus interest. Easy Clearance verifies the HS code before submitting the customs declaration.

Customs Clearance Costs for Poultry Export from Poland — Easy Clearance Price Ranges

Cost of export customs clearance (Polish side, AES — Automated Export System / PUESC): from £45 to £120. Prices quoted are indicative ranges — exact quote after document review.

Additional costs on the UK importer side: BCP inspection fee (charged by APHA, varies by BCP and consignment weight), storage costs in the event of extended inspection, EHC fee on the District Veterinary Inspector side.

Contact Easy Clearance via WhatsApp (+44 7404 091503) or by phone: +44 7404 091503 — we advise on optimal logistics and documentation for meat consignments.

This article reflects the legal position as at 2026-04-18. Consult a customs broker before taking action.

What the current rules say

Exporting poultry or red meat from Poland to the UK requires — as of 2026-04-18 — an EHC issued by the District Veterinary Inspector and IPAFFS pre-notification by the UK importer at least 1 working day before arrival at the BCP. The production establishment must be approved by APHA UK. The UK-EU SPS Area (May 2025) may ultimately change some requirements — but as of 2026-04-18 formal changes have not yet entered into force. This article reflects the legal position as at 2026-04-18. Consult a customs broker before taking action.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Does exporting poultry to the UK require an EHC certificate?

As of 2026-04-18 yes — every consignment of poultry meat from Poland to the UK requires an Export Health Certificate (EHC) issued by the District Veterinary Inspector. The EHC must be issued on an APHA-approved template before dispatch. Check the current position on gov.uk — requirements may evolve in connection with the UK-EU SPS Area (May 2025).

Who submits the IPAFFS notification when exporting poultry to the UK?

The IPAFFS notification is submitted by the UK importer or their representative — not the Polish exporter. However, the exporter must supply the importer with consignment data and the EHC number with sufficient notice (at least 2 working days before departure) so the importer can register the consignment in IPAFFS at least 1 working day before arrival at the BCP.

Does a poultry production establishment in Poland need to be approved by the UK?

Yes — the establishment must be listed on the APHA UK approved establishments list for meat exports to GB. The list can be checked on GOV.UK. If the establishment is not on the list it cannot export to the UK — a prior application for approval through the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate is required.

What HS code does poultry meat exported to the UK have?

Poultry meat — chicken, turkey, duck — is classified under HS 0207 (meat and edible offal of poultry). Check the specific CN subcode (8-digit) for your product in the HMRC Trade Tariff. For processed products (e.g. breaded) HS 1601 or 1602 may apply.

How much does customs clearance for poultry meat exports from Poland cost?

Export customs clearance (Polish side): from £45 to £120. Prices quoted are indicative ranges — exact quote after document review. Contact Easy Clearance: WhatsApp +44 7404 091503.

Official sources

• GOV.UK — Importing meat products into Great Britain — GOV.UK
• GOV.UK — IPAFFS registration and guidance — GOV.UK
• GOV.UK — Border Target Operating Model August 2023 — GOV.UK
• UK Trade Tariff — Chapter 02 (meat and offal) — HMRC
• EU TARIC — customs tariff — EC TAXUD