Import from countries outside the EU - food of animal origin
To prevent contagious animal diseases or unsafe food from non-EU-countries from entering the EU, there are rules of import to be followed. When importing food of animal origin such as meat, fish, milk, eggs, or honey from a non-EU-country into the EU, the goods must be controlled at the EU border.
Before importing food of animal origin
Before you can start to import food of animal origin, you need to make sure that the product originates from an approved country and that the country has an approved residue control plan. The product you want to import also have to come from an approved establishment. You also need to find out what type of official certificate is needed for the specific food of animal origin. All consignments with food of animal origin must be pre-notified in a system called TRACES.NT.
Approved country
Countries outside the EU have to be approved by the EU Commission to be able to export consignments containing food of animal origin to the EU. Before you start to import food of animal origin, you need to check that the food comes from a country that has been approved for export to the EU of that particular food of animal origin. You will find the list of approved countries in EU Regulation 2021/405 and 2021/404. Remember to always check the latest consolidated version.
Approved residue control plan
The country also have to have an approved residue control plan for the food of animal origin. The list of countries with approved residue control plans can be found in Annex -I of Regulation (EU) 2021/405.
Approved establishment
Official certificate
You need to check which model of official certificate is required for the consignment of the food of animal origin you are importing. Every consignment of food of animal origin needs to be accompanied by an official certificate signed before departure by the competent authority of the exporting establishment.
Information on which model of official certificate is applicable for different type of products can be found in EU Regulation 2020/2235. Remember to always check the latest consolidated version.
Salmonella testing for consignments destined for Sweden or Finland
All consignments containing fresh meat, or minced meat (with the exception of heat treated meat), and table eggs need to be subject to salmonella control in the country of origin. This is also applicable for hens' eggs for direct consumption. This must be stated on the official certificate of the consignment.
Border control posts
Food of animal origin from countries outside the EU must be controlled at the first Border Control Post for entry into the EU. The Swedish Border Control Posts are only approved for packaged food of animal origin.
Fees
The basic charge for border control of a consignment containing foods of animal origin is 1150 SEK + 0.18 SEK per kg. Fees are higher if the inspection is carried out outside regular office hours. Sampling and analyses based on safeguard measures or suspicion of irregularities are carried out at the expense of the importer.
An additional fee of 800 SEK per hour is added for consignments that require special checks in accordance with articles 65 to 67 in Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
Safeguard measures
Certain foods that are subjected to border control must undergo the controls stipulated in the relevant safeguard decisions.
Commercial samples
If consignments containing commercial samples of animal origin are to be consumed or tested in a food establishment, they must pass through the Swedish Food Agency's border control as a commercial consignment to be border controlled. Samples that are not destined for a food establishment are checked by the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
The Swedish Board of Agriculture
