What are sanitary and phytosanitary controls?
According to the British government, Sanitary and Phytosanitary controls are made to “ensure that food traded is safe to eat, and that animals and plants are free from pests and disease.” They are checks carried out at the EU border on goods coming from third countries, including the UK since it left the EU.
New sanitary and phytosanitary controls since the UK left the EU
Since 31st January 2021, imports from the UK have been subject to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which was provisionally applied before being ratified by the EU on April 29, 2021.
Border controls, including sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks, have become mandatory for goods seeking to access the EU market. As a result, the rules for importing goods such as plants, plant products, animal feed, animal products, live animals, and genetic material have changed.
These new procedures may lead to a longer transportation time due to additional formalities and inspections, at least in the short term. To ensure compliance and maintain the flow of trade, France has strengthened its human and physical resources at the border to carry out these controls efficiently and support import logistics from the UK.
Note that French authorities at Border inspection posts (so-called “SIVEP”, for Service d’Inspection Vétérinaire et Phytosanitaire) are flexible and can accommodate many types of goods and animals to be controlled – because these posts needs to have the appropriate certifications and personnel to deal with the goods and animals involved. If you have doubts about whether your goods can be controlled at any particular border control post, you can liaise with us (through the form below) and we will make sure you have the right information about this.
(Source : Ministère de l’agriculture et de la souveraineté alimentaire)
How have sanitary and phytosanitary controls affected British companies?
These inspections take place at designated Border Control Posts (BCPs), which are specialised facilities approved by the European Commission.
The responsibility for setting up these facilities falls on the organizations managing entry points, such as port authorities.
SPS checks must happen before customs clearance and follow EU regulations. They include:
- A documentary check to verify the (phyto)sanitary certificate.
- Identity and physical checks, which may be done randomly or systematically, especially for high-risk goods like live animals.
The UK Business Centre Lille to support British companies
Our team at the UK Business Centre Lille can help you find solutions to still access the EU market and overcome sanitary and phytosanitary controls.
We can provide you with direct access to a wide network of service providers that are competent, trustworthy and English-speaking. Their expertise includes (but is not limited to):
- Customs and tax representation
- Setting up in France
- Optimizing your logistics operations
- Commercial representation
The UK Business Centre Lille is a soft-landing solution tailored to British companies looking to find solutions to access the EU market more easily.
It is also supported by the UK Department for Business and Trade.
It was born from a collaboration between Nord France Invest, the British Chamber of Commerce and Industry Lille, Hello Lille – the Lille Metropolis attractiveness agency, the World Trade Centre Lille and the Hauts-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Want to access the EU market more smoothly?
Our Cross Channel experts are here to guide you throughout your development project. To start your EU journey:
- Click on the link down below
- Fill in the form
- Our experts will come back to you shortly and give you tailored & free advice
Discover our latest news
How has Brexit affected businesses? The impact on British companies to access the EU market
The French business environment in a nutshell: a guide for British investors
