Importing and exporting fresh fruit and vegetables
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-24)

Rules for importing, exporting and moving fresh fruit and vegetables to, from and around the UK.

Most fruit and vegetables imported to or exported from the UK must meet relevant quality and labelling requirements, known as marketing standards (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/comply-with-marketing-standards-for-fresh-fruit-and-vegetables). These are checked by:
- HMI (Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate) in England and Wales
- SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture) in Scotland
- DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) in Northern Ireland
Some fruit and vegetables imported to and exported from the UK need to go through plant health (phytosanitary) controls. Plant health is checked by:
- APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) in England and Wales
- SASA in Scotland
- DAERA in Northern Ireland
Importing from the EU

Fruit and vegetables grown in the EU and imported from the EU to Great Britain do not need to go through marketing standards controls.

Marketing standards controls for fruit and vegetables imported from the EU are not expected to be introduced before 1 February 2027.

Fruit and vegetables imported from the EU and Switzerland are temporarily being treated as low risk and do not need to go through plant health controls.

Read more about importing fruit and vegetables from the EU to Great Britain. (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-plants-and-plant-products-from-the-eu-to-great-britain-and-northern-ireland)

Importing from the EU to Northern Ireland

Follow DAERA’s guidance on importing plants and plant products from the EU to Northern Ireland (https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/import-and-export-plants).

Moving fruit and vegetables from Northern Ireland to Great Britain

Fruit and vegetables that are ‘qualifying Northern Ireland goods’ (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-qualifying-goods-from-northern-ireland-to-the-rest-of-the-uk) moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain are not subject to marketing standards controls. Non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain are subject to the same controls as goods being imported to Great Britain from the EU.

Follow the guidance on moving plants and plant products from Northern Ireland to Great Britain (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-plants-and-plant-products-from-great-britain-and-northern-ireland#movements-from-northern-ireland-to-great-britain).

Importing directly from non-EU countries to Great Britain

If your goods will be travelling from a non-EU country through the EU, read guidance on importing fruit and vegetables from non-EU countries to Great Britain through the EU (#importing-fruit-and-vegetables-from-non-eu-countries-to-great-britain-through-the-eu).

If your goods need to meet the Specific Marketing Standard (SMS) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/comply-with-marketing-standards-for-fresh-fruit-and-vegetables#specific-marketing-standard-sms) and you’re importing them directly from a non-EU country to Great Britain, you’ll need a certificate of conformity.

The certificate needs to be issued in Great Britain unless your SMS consignment is from a country that has Great Britain Approved Inspection Service (GB AIS) status and is accompanied by a valid certificate of conformity issued by the country of production.

Check which countries have GB AIS status and what goods this applies to. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countries-with-approved-inspection-service-ais-status-for-imports-of-fruit-and-vegetables-to-great-britain)

Products that enter Great Britain from a country with GB AIS status and are accompanied by a certificate of conformity need fewer checks at the border.

HMI or SASA may inspect a small sample of goods from countries with GB AIS status to make sure they comply with the quality and labelling requirements.

You must notify HMI or SASA on IPAFFS (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-of-products-animals-food-and-feed-system) (import of products, animals, food and feed system) of your intention to import fruit and vegetables subject to SMS, even if:
- you’re importing from a country that has GB AIS status
- you have a certificate of conformity that’s issued by that country
If you’re importing goods that need to meet the General Marketing Standard (GMS) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/comply-with-marketing-standards-for-fresh-fruit-and-vegetables#general-marketing-standard-gms), HMI or SASA may check your consignment to make sure it meets the quality and labelling requirements.

If HMI or SASA decides to check your consignment, you’ll be told to notify the import using IPAFFS, before the goods enter Great Britain.

To import ‘medium A risk’ fruit and vegetables from non-EU countries (except Switzerland) to Great Britain you’ll need to:
- register as an importer on IPAFFS (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-of-products-animals-food-and-feed-system), if you’re not already registered
- get a phytosanitary certificate for your consignment from the plant health authority in the country where your supplier is
- notify APHA or SASA about your consignment using IPAFFS
To import ‘medium B risk’ fruit and vegetables, you’ll need to get a phytosanitary certificate.

Read more about importing fruit and vegetables from non-EU countries to Great Britain. (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/importing-plants-fruit-vegetables-or-plant-material-to-the-uk)

Importing from non-EU countries through the EU

HMI or SASA assess fruit and vegetables that have travelled in transit from non-EU countries through the EU to Great Britain to make sure they comply with marketing standards in Great Britain.

If you import fruit and vegetables from a non-EU country to Great Britain through the EU, your goods will be treated as an EU import if they have:
- entered into ‘free circulation’ (customs cleared and any duty or VAT paid)
- passed EU plant health checks
- been issued with a phytosanitary certificate from an EU member state, if applicable
The goods will not need to go through further plant health controls or marketing standards controls. Fruit and vegetables imported from the EU are temporarily being treated as low risk.

The goods will be treated as a non-EU country import (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/importing-plants-fruit-vegetables-or-plant-material-to-the-uk) if they did not enter into free circulation and pass plant health checks in the EU.

Re-exports

If you import fruit and vegetables into Great Britain from a non-EU country and then re-export a proportion of your consignment to the EU, your consignment will need to undergo both export and import processes.

Importing green bananas

Green bananas imported to Great Britain do not need to go through plant health controls.

Bananas from EU countries

Green bananas imported to Great Britain from EU countries do not need to go through marketing standards controls. These are not expected to be introduced before 1 February 2027.

Bananas from non-EU countries

If you’re importing green bananas to Great Britain from non-EU countries, you must notify HMI or SASA using IPAFFS (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-of-products-animals-food-and-feed-system).

HMI or SASA may inspect your consignment at the border.

You’ll also need an inspection certificate to import green bananas to Great Britain from non-EU countries. To apply for an inspection certificate, use IPAFFS.

You can get Exempted Banana Trader Status if you fulfil certain criteria. If you’re an exempt trader, you will:
- not need a Great Britain inspection certificate when importing green bananas
- be exempt for the period that your exemption certificate remains valid
To check your exemption status, email:
- HMI at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) if you’re in England or Wales
- SASA at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) if you’re in Scotland
Importing bananas to Northern Ireland

Contact DAERA (https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/contacts/daera-helpline-numbers) for guidance on importing green bananas to Northern Ireland.

Exporting from Great Britain to the EU

Certificate of conformity

If you’re exporting fruit and vegetables subject to the Specific Marketing Standard (SMS) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/comply-with-marketing-standards-for-fresh-fruit-and-vegetables#specific-marketing-standard-sms) to the EU, you’ll need a certificate of conformity for your goods to get customs clearance in Great Britain.

To apply for a certificate of conformity:
- use the apply for plant export certificates and inspections service (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-plant-export-certificates-and-inspections) if you’re exporting from England or Wales
- contact SASA at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) if you’re exporting from Scotland
The United Kingdom holds AIS (Approved Inspection Service) status for fruit and vegetables. This means if you’re exporting SMS produce grown in Great Britain to the EU, you can use a Great Britain-issued certificate of conformity to get customs clearance in the EU. A sample of consignments may be checked before they’re imported into the EU to make sure they conform with EU marketing standards.

You can only use the AIS scheme for produce grown in Great Britain. If you’re re-exporting produce grown outside of Great Britain to the EU, you’ll need to follow the EU’s third-country import requirements.

Re-exporting fruit and vegetables grown in a non-EU country

If you’re exporting fruit and vegetables subject to the General Marketing Standard (GMS) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/comply-with-marketing-standards-for-fresh-fruit-and-vegetables#general-marketing-standard-gms) to the EU, you do not need a certificate of conformity to get customs clearance in Great Britain.

If you’re re-exporting fruit and vegetables grown in a non-EU country to the EU, you may need an import certificate of conformity issued at entry to the EU by the importing member state. This depends on the member state’s risk assessment for GMS and SMS goods.

Phytosanitary certificates

You’ll need a phytosanitary certificate (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-plants-and-plant-products-from-great-britain-and-northern-ireland#apply-for-a-phytosanitary-certificate) to export most fruit and vegetables from Great Britain to the EU.

If you’re exporting from England or Wales, you can use the apply for plant export certificates and inspections service (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-plant-export-certificates-and-inspections) to apply for a phytosanitary certificate and a certificate of conformity at the same time.

If you’re exporting from Scotland, contact SASA at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Moving fruit and vegetables from Great Britain to Northern Ireland

Fruit and vegetables moved from Great Britain to Northern Ireland need to enter through designated points of entry and meet EU marketing standards (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02011R0543-20221024) and plant health requirements.

As part of the Windsor Framework (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-windsor-framework-further-detail-and-publications), goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland for final consumption are not subject to marketing standards or plant health controls if they move under the arrangements of the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/retail-movement-scheme-how-the-scheme-will-work) on the basis of a general certificate for registered members.

For fruit and vegetables not moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under NIRMS, a risk-based approach applies to controls at points of entry into Northern Ireland. In line with the very low risk posed by goods originating in Great Britain, SMS and GMS goods can be released into free circulation in Northern Ireland without needing a Great Britain-issued certificate of conformity. This may change on the basis of risk. Most fruit and vegetables will need a phytosanitary certificate if they are not moved under NIRMS.

Exporting from Northern Ireland to the EU

Follow guidance on exporting plants and plant products from Northern Ireland to the EU (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-plants-and-plant-products-from-great-britain-and-northern-ireland).

Exporting directly from the UK to non-EU countries

You must check that you meet the quality and labelling rules for the country you’re exporting to before sending your consignment.

SMS products (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/comply-with-marketing-standards-for-fresh-fruit-and-vegetables#specific-marketing-standard-sms) need a Great Britain-issued certificate of conformity to get customs clearance in Great Britain.

To apply for a certificate of conformity:
- use the apply for plant export certificates and inspections service (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-plant-export-certificates-and-inspections) if you’re exporting from England or Wales
- contact SASA at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) if you’re exporting from Scotland
GMS goods (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/comply-with-marketing-standards-for-fresh-fruit-and-vegetables#general-marketing-standard-gms) do not need a Great Britain-issued certificate of conformity to get customs clearance in Great Britain.

Most fruit and vegetables need a phytosanitary certificate before they’re exported from the UK to a non-EU country (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-plants-and-plant-products-from-great-britain-and-northern-ireland#exporting-from-the-uk-to-non-eu-third-countries).

To export from England or Wales, you can use the plant export certificates and inspections service (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-plant-export-certificates-and-inspections) to apply for a phytosanitary certificate and a certificate of conformity at the same time. Submit the phytosanitary certificate application first.

To export from Scotland, contact SASA at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

To export from Northern Ireland, follow DAERA’s guidance on exporting plants and plant products (https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/import-and-export-plants).

Exporting green bananas

If you’re exporting green bananas, you do not need an inspection or exemption certificate for the goods to clear UK customs.

You should check that you meet the quality and labelling rules for the country you’re exporting to before sending your consignment.

You can check each country’s rules by either:
- talking to your importer
- getting help researching your export market (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/exporting-country-guides)
Returning goods rejected at the EU border

To return your rejected goods to Great (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-goods-to-the-uk) Britain, you’ll need to use IPAFFS (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-of-products-animals-food-and-feed-system) to request a certificate of conformity for SMS goods (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/comply-with-marketing-standards-for-fresh-fruit-and-vegetables#specific-marketing-standard) if both of the following conditions apply:
- your consignment of SMS products is rejected by the EU
- you want these products released into free circulation in Great Britain
If both of these conditions apply to your consignment of GMS products, you may need to submit an application in IPAFFS (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-of-products-animals-food-and-feed-system) requesting a certificate of conformity for GMS goods. You should follow the import procedures for GMS goods.

Approved Trader Scheme (ATS)

Approved trader status means you’re identified as lower risk and will receive fewer marketing standards conformity checks on:
- imports of fruit and vegetables
- exports of fruit and vegetables produced in Great Britain
You can get approved trader status if:
- you’re a grower, packer, importer or exporter
- your business consistently meets marketing standards requirements
For more information about ATS, contact:
- HMI at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) (England and Wales)
- SASA at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) (Scotland)
Get help

If you have any questions about importing or exporting fruit and vegetables, you can call xx-xxxx-xxxx or email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).