Statutory guidance

Raw petfood for direct sale - Import Information Note ABP/3D

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 

Import conditions for raw pet food for direct sale. 

Raw pet food is defined in Regulation (EU) 142/2011 as pet food containing certain Category 3 material which has not undergone any preserving process other than chilling or freezing. 

Raw pet food may be manufactured from Category 3 material referred to in Article 10(a) and Article 10(b)(i) and (ii) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009. 

3. Production standards 

Raw pet food must have been produced and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex XIII, Chapters I and II, of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. 

Raw pet food must be packed in new packaging preventing any leakage. Effective steps must be taken to ensure that the product is not exposed to contamination throughout the production chain and up to the point of sale. 

Random samples must be taken from raw pet food during production and/or during storage (before despatch) to verify compliance with the standards laid down in the model health certificate for raw pet food.

Attestation AH/P801 Approved establishment and testing in GBHC562 (model health certificate for raw petfood for direct sale or ABPs to be fed to fur animals - PET-R) covers these sampling requirements. The intention of this attestation is that in the case of raw petfood, the competent authority assures themselves, prior to signing the certificate, that the sampling has been carried out prior to dispatch, during or after storage at the processing plant and complies with microbiological requirements for Great Britain (GB).  

There is no requirement for the sampling to be carried out by the competent authority. 

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 

In the case of material from ungulates or poultry

Raw pet food containing material from ungulates or poultry may only be imported from the countries listed in the documents for fresh meat of ungulates or poultry and poultry products, from which imports of fresh meat are authorised from the same species and where only bone-in meat is authorised.

In the case of fish materials 

Raw pet food containing fish materials may only be imported from countries listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2019/626.  

5. Approved establishments 

Products must be produced in an establishment approved to export to GB. Importers should check prior to importation that the premises are listed on the correct list.  

Find consolidated lists of approved plants (excluding the EU)

Find approved EU ABP establishments

If the establishment or plant is not listed, importers are urged to contact the company concerned, who should contact their competent authority immediately. If the plant is not included on the appropriate list when veterinary checks are carried out the consignment is likely to be held and could be rejected and re-exported or destroyed.

6. Health certification  

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

Model health certificates for petfood.

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

7. Labelling requirements 

The product must have been packed in final packaging which bear labels indicating “RAW PETFOOD – NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”.

The product must also then have been packed in leak-proof and officially sealed boxes or containers, or in new packaging preventing any leakage, and officially sealed boxes or containers which bear labels indicating:

• “RAW PETFOOD – NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”
• the name and the address of the establishment of destination

8. 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: [email protected] 

Telephone: 03000 200 301