Statutory guidance

Import of trade samples - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/8B

Published 2 December 2024

1. General information 

This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of animal by-products (ABPs), which provides information on pre-notifications, veterinary checks, risk categories and more. 

References to European Union (EU) legislation within this document are references to direct EU legislation which has been assimilated in Great Britain (assimilated direct legislation), as defined in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and can be viewed on the UK legislation website. 

2. Scope

Trade samples are ABPs or derived products intended for particular studies or analyses authorised by the competent authority in accordance with Article 17(1) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009 with a view to carrying out a production process, including the processing of ABPs or derived products, the development of feeding stuff, pet food or derived products, or the testing of machinery or equipment. 

Trade samples, and any products made using trade samples, are not permitted, under any circumstances, to be used for human consumption, including ‘taste-testing’. 

Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) 

Under the BTOM, trade samples are categorised as medium risk from the EU and other permitted non-EU countries: 

BTOM risk categories and inspection rates for animal and animal product imports from EU countries to Great Britain (GB)

Check import risk categories, inspection rates and related rules for animals and animal products imported from non-EU countries to GB

However, if the commodity, which is being imported for use as a trade sample, can comply with all the import requirements for a type of commodity which has been categorised as low risk under the BTOM, the commodity does not have to be imported as a ‘trade sample’.  Instead, BTOM rules for the import of that low-risk commodity would apply. In this case, you should refer to the appropriate Import Information Note for that type of commodity.  

3. Production standards 

Trade samples must have been produced and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex VI, Chapter I, Section 2 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011.  

4. Country of origin 

Imports are permitted from trading partners listed in a document published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers for:

• non-EU countries
• EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries 

Imports are permitted from countries referred to in the column “third countries’ list” of row 14 of Table 2 of Section 1 of Chapter II of Annex XIV of Regulation (EU) 142/2011.

In the case of trade samples which consist of milk, milk-based products or milk-derived products, imports are permitted from countries listed in the document for milk and milk products. 

5. Health certification  

Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the model health certificate. 

The health certificate must either confirm that the consignment is labelled ‘TRADE SAMPLE NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION’ or that the consignment meets the requirements laid down in the certificate. 

Model health certificates for other animal by-products

This requirement applies to products in the high and medium risk categories. Find information about import risk categories, inspection rates and related rules for animals and animal products imported from:

• the EU to GB

• non-EU countries to GB

6. Authorisation 

Prior to importation, an authorisation is required from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). 

From non-EU countries

To apply for an authorisation please complete the import licence application form and return it to APHA Centre for International Trade (CIT).

Consignments which have not been authorised prior to import will not be permitted into the UK and will have to be destroyed or re-exported. 

From EU and EFTA member states

There is currently no requirement to apply to APHA for an authorisation to import these types of animal by-products from the EU and EFTA member states. 

Authorisation to import these products from EU and EFTA member states is now provided by general import authorisation IMP-GEN-2024-05 which does not need to travel with the consignment.   

7. Approval or registration of destination premises 

Any operator, establishment or plant that generates, transports, handles, processes, stores, places on the market, distributes, uses, or disposes of ABPs including research and diagnostic samples, trade samples or display items must be registered or approved by APHA under Animal By-Products Enforcement Regulations before commencing operations. 

This requirement is provided for in Article 23 or 24 of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009.

How to register a premises or site that handles or uses ABPs

8. Transporters or couriers 

Any independent hauliers (including couriers) of ABPs including research and diagnostic samples, trade samples or display items should also be registered as described above. The registration process only needs to be done once for each haulier. 

9. Movement from the BCP to the premises of destination 

Following the veterinary checks provided for in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1715, and in accordance with the conditions laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/1666, the ABPs must be transported directly from the BCP under customs procedures to an establishment as laid down in Annex XIV, Chapter III, Section 2 of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. 

10. Disposal or re-export of trade samples 

Unless they are kept for reference purposes, transferred or re-dispatched to the country of origin, trade samples shall be disposed of or used in accordance with Articles 12, 13 and 14 of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009. 

Any transfer of material from the authorised user to any other user must be pre-authorised by APHA. 

11. Trade samples for machine testing 

If trade samples are used for testing of machinery, the testing shall be carried out either with:

a) dedicated equipment

b) equipment which is cleaned and disinfected before it is used for purposes other than the testing

During transport to the registered establishment or plant, the trade samples must be packaged in leak-proof containers. 

12. Contact for further information

For more information about import requirements, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) imports team:

Centre for International Trade - Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX

Email: imports@apha.gov.uk 

Telephone: 03000 200 301