Concessions for personal imports of Products of Animal Origin
Details of concessions available for the importation of Products of Animal Origin (POAO) into Northern Ireland.
Important concessions for personal imports (baggage and post)
1 kg amounts would normally be considered for personal use. Anything above 10 kg would normally be considered commercial. If other smuggled items are found and the POAO is over 1 kg it would be reasonable to seize.
- Powdered infant milk, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons in personal baggage is permitted. They must not require refrigeration before opening, and must be proprietary brand products for direct sale to the final customer in unbroken packaging.
- One kg of eggs, egg products, honey, fishery products and shellfish, where permitted (See What food can I bring into the United Kingdom (UK)?) may be brought in for personal use, irrespective of packaging, in a persons personal luggage or sent to a privately named individual.
- One kg of eggs, egg products, honey, fishery products and shellfish are permitted from other countries if they have undergone heat treatment in hermetically sealed container to a Fo value of 3.00 or more. If this can not be determined the product will be seized.
- Cakes, biscuits and confectionery for personal use are normally permitted. If in doubt seek advice from the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
- Fresh, smoked or dried meat, cheese, potatoes and potato seeds are not permitted under any circumstances.
Where a product of animal origin (for example, a meat or dairy product) appears to have been produced and packaged in a European Union country and is being brought into the UK from a third country it is deemed to have been consigned from that third country and cannot be permitted entry.
Currently personal importation's of all products of animal origin from China are not permitted - this ban does not apply to Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan.
Relevant legislation
Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004
Related Information
Guidance on concessions for individual countries and detailed product or country concessions from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
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