Export of fruits and vegetables to the UK – phytosanitary controls [2026]

After Brexit, plants are treated as a biological threat. Export of fruits and vegetables is subject to control. PIORiN (Poland) and DEFRA/PHSI (UK).

Risk category classification (BTOM)

Not every carrot is equally hazardous.

1. High Risk: Plants for planting (seedlings, saplings). Always require a certificate and inspection. 2. Medium Risk: Most fruits and vegetables (e.g. apples, pears, tomatoes, peppers). Require a Phytosanitary Certificate (Phyto). 3. Low Risk: Some processed or durable products (e.g. pineapples, kiwis, citrus fruits – although this depends on the country of origin, but "Polish" fruits are mainly apples/berries – Medium Risk). Note:* The risk list changes dynamically. Check "BTOM Risk Categories" on gov.uk.

"Fito" procedure

1. Notification to PIORiN: Before shipment, you declare the goods to the Plant Health and Seed Inspection. 2. Inspection: PIORiN inspector checks the goods (for pests). 3. Certificate: You receive a paper Phytosanitary Certificate. The original travels with the driver. 4. Declaration in the UK (IPAFFS/PEACH): The importer declares the goods in the UK system.

Inspection in the UK

Fruits and vegetables enter through control points. From 2024, physical inspections take place in BCP (e.g. Sevington). This is a lower level of control than for meat, but still – lack of a "Phytosanitary" certificate means detention of goods.

Customs duty

Polish fruits and vegetables (EU origin) have a rate 0%. Note on re-export: If you buy bananas from Ecuador in Poland and send them to the UK -> you will pay full customs duty in the UK (because the banana does not become "Polish" by just being stored in a warehouse).

What the current official guidance means in practice

For operational work, the current procedural rules, declaration fields and relief conditions should be checked directly against the official guidance. For this topic, the core reference points are European Commission, GOV.UK / HMRC.

Official sources

• EU Commission (Customs procedures) — European Commission, 2026-03-04
• UK GOV (Importing into the UK) — GOV.UK / HMRC, 2026-03-04
• GOV.UK: Customs Declaration Service — GOV.UK / HMRC, 2026-03-04