Published: 12.05.2021.
Updated: 01.11.2024.

Import control for non animal origin food and food contact materials

All products of non-animal origin (PNAO) and food contact materials (FCM) are subject to routine import control in accordance with Regulation 2017/625 Title II Chapter V Sections I. The routin import control of PNAO in Latvia is realized at Border Control Posts (BCP).

PNAO and FCM subjected to mandatory import controls fall under Regulation 2017/625 Article 47(1) (d), (e) and (f) and are subject to temporary increased controls, emergency measures or suspension of entry into the EU, Title II Chapter V Section II. This controls are realized at Border Control Posts (BCP). Until the results of the laboratory checks are known, the consignment must be stored at BCP or moved to Onward transportation facility.

Temporary increased controls, emergency measures and suspension of entry into the Union:

Mandatory import controls:

PNAO include:

Food additives, food flavourings, food intended for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes, and total diet replacement for weight control, sugar and salt, alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks including mineral water, food supplements, novel food, genetic modified food, organic food.

FCM include:

Containers for transporting food, machinery to process food, packaging materials, kitchenware and tableware. The term does not cover fixed public or private water supply equipment

BCPs inspectors do not control:

  • PNAO for which CHED (or a similar document certifying that the food has been officially controlled on importation into the EU) has already been issued  by the competent authority of another Member State;
  • if PNAO on board means of transport operating internationally which are not unloaded and are intended for consumption by the crew and passengers;
  • if the accompanying documents prove that it is transit from one third country to another third country;
  • if PNAO transhipped under customs supervision from a ship or aircraft to another ship in the same port or airport;

PNAO mentioned below are controlled only when weight more than 30 kg and PNAO are subjected to mandatory import controls under Regulation 2017/625 Article 47(1) (d), (e) and (f), and more than 5 kg of fresh products or 2 kg of other products:

  • form part of passengers personal luggage and are intended to be placed on the market;
  • non-commercial consignments sent to natural persons which are intended to be placed on the market;
  • sent as trade samples, laboratory samples or as display items for exhibitions, which are intended to be placed on the market;
  • intended for scientific purposes;
  • comes from EFTA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)

Importers (carrying out an economic activity in Latvia) should be registered in Food and veterinary Service in the register of operators/persons involved in the circulation of food. Importers should familiarize themselves with food hygiene legislation. All products imported into EU must comply with the law on contaminants.

Business operators shall give a prior notification (part I of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED-D) of the estimated date and time of physical arrival of the consignments (food and food contact materials) to the competent authorities at the BCP and of the nature of the consignment. For the first time business operator shall create a EU Login account.

Instruction for fulfilling of Prior notification in TRACES NT.

Template of Prior notification (VSIDD Part 1) for fulfilling during unplanned or planned unavailability of TRACES NT. 

Inspection Fees (see Annex 3 of Regulations) include monitoring sample analysis, excluding in the case of unfavourable results.

Additional fees for mandatory analysis in cases of temporary increased controls, emergency measures, mandatory controls and for suspended or unfavourable analysis results in the according with official laboratory BIOR Pricelist