Food of non-Animal Origin [ FNAO ] Import from third countries
Operators who intend to import food of non-animal origin (FNAO) from third countries, into/or through Portugal, shall ensure the following procedures in hygienic sanitary grounds:
TRACES (Trade Control and Expert System) is a computer application made available by the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG-Sante)
To register in TRACES the economic operator shall create a user account.
Creation of TRACES User account
i. Access the TRACES application ii. Click on "click here to register a new user" iii. Enter all the data requested by the TRACES (see instructions)(ver instrução) iv. Receive at the email address entered, the TRACES message confirming registration v. In the received e-mail message, click on "click here" to validate the user Attention: you cannot access TRACES until their competent authority validates the application for registration.
Support Manual For the use of TRACES a support Manual
2. Apply for an Import Request
2.1Prior Notification of the arrival of the Commodities to the National / Community Territory
Community legislation establishes the obligation to notify in advance the Competent Authority of the Designated Entry Point (DEP) of the estimated date and time of the physical arrival of certain goods into the EU territory. The National Competent Authority shall establish the same procedure for the remaining FNAO.
i.Who makes a Prior Notification?
Who?
The food industry operators who intend to import or their representatives.
ii. ii. When shall the Prior Notification be made?
When?
With a minimum advance of at least:
1 working day – in the case of FNAO subject to reinforced controls or emergency / safeguard measures, in particular those falling within the scope of:
2 working days – in the case of FNAO, originating in or consigned from Japan following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station (subject to emergency measures) under:
Products from Japan associated with the risk of radioactive contamination (Fukushima).
2 working days - for Food Suplements.
1 working day - in the case of the other FNAO, featuring on the IC 19 of the AT, even if the operator wishes to transfer such consignments to a PCA (Approved control point)
NOTE: When the DPI (Designated Point of Import ) is different from the DPE, operators must notify the competent authority of the DPI at least 1 working day before the physical arrival of the consignment to the DPI.
iii.How to make the Prior Notification?
How?
Complete Part I of the Common Entry Document (CED) in TRACES (see Instructions)
On the tab "Consignments “→”References", in "Attachments", attach the following documents:
Proof of the bank transfer made to the order of the Regional Directorates of Agriculture and Fisheries (DRAP) (see contacts and prices).
Form, only in the case of food with various ingredients or food supplements.
Copy of the documents that accompany the commodities: Invoice, Bill of Lading/ Airway Bill, Packing List, certificates, analytical bulletins and other mandatory documents mentioned in specific regulations.
Export documents, including export certificates, in case of return/re-importation of commodities..
IMPORTANT: Operators must complete a different CED for each consignment subject to reinforced controls or to emergency/safeguard measures.
2.2 Specific Procedures:
Operators should also take into account the following specific requirements and procedures:
Reinforced controls within the no âmbito do REG. (CE) 669/2009
3.Presentation of Commodities for Official Control
3.1. Official Control
FNAO are subject to 100% documentary control and varying percentages of identity and physical control, including sample collection for laboratory analysis. The operators selected for these controls shall present the imported commodities to the inspectors of the Competent Authority of the Entry Point.
3.2. Exemption of Official Control
The consignments referred to in pages 43/44 of AT Manual are excluded of the procedures described in points 1 to 3, in particular:
Non-commercial consignments, sent by mail or contained in personal luggage, imported by a private person, exclusively for consumption or personal use;
Consignment intended for a firm, whose import nature is occasional and non-commercial (e.g. samples for commercial prospecting or laboratory purposes);
Consignments of food supplements, imported by a private individual, exclusively for own consumption, without any commercial intention, whose acquisition value does not exceed 200 €.
DESIGNATED ENTRY POINTS (DEP), DESIGNATED IMPORT POINTS (DIP) AND CONTROL POINTS:
FNAO subject to reinforced controls or safeguard measures may only enter by designated entry points (DEP) and some of them have to be checked at designated import points (PID).
National PED and PID [Portuguese PED and PID]: List
PED and PID of the European Union [EU PED and PID]: Lists
In exceptional situations, official identity and physical controls may be performed at Approved Control Points (ACP).
National ACP [Portuguese Approved Control Points]: List
Operators who intend to import food of non-animal origin (FNAO) from third countries, into/or through Portugal, shall ensure the following procedures in hygienic sanitary grounds:
Create a new EU Login account.
Request a new user access profile in TRACES.NT.
Ensure Prior Notification of the arrival of the commodities - Create part I of CHED-D
Present commodities for official control
Bear official control costs
The following consignments are excluded of these procedures:
Non-commercial consignments, sent by mail or contained in personal luggage, imported by a private person, exclusively for consumption or personal use;
Consignment intended for a firm, whose import nature is occasional and non-commercial (e.g. samples for commercial prospecting or laboratory purposes);
Consignments of food supplements:
imported by a private individual, exclusively for own consumption, without any commercial intention, whose acquisition value does not exceed 200 €.
imported for commercial prospecting or laboratory purposes
3. Ensure Prior Notification – Create part I of CHED-D
Who? The responsible for the loads.
How?
Complete Part I of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED-D) in TRACES-NT (see Instructions).
Attach the following documents to the CHED-D:
Proof of the bank transfer made to the order of the Regional Directorates of Agriculture and Fisheries (DRAP) (see contacts and prices).
Map with description of the consignments.
Form, only in the case of food with various ingredients or food supplements.
Copy of the documents that accompany the commodities: Invoice, Bill of Lading/ Airway Bill, Packing List, certificates, analytical bulletins and other mandatory documents mentioned in specific regulations.
Export documents, including export certificates, in case of return/re-importation of commodities.
When?
With a minimum advance of at least:
2 working days – in the case of FNAO originating in or consigned from Japan following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station, food supplements and food contact materials.
1 working day – in the case of other FNAO featuring on the IC 19 of the Customs or subject to reinforced controls or emergency / safeguard measures
4. Presentation of Commodities for Official Control
FNAO are subject to 100% documentary control and varying percentages of identity and physical control, including sample collection for laboratory analysis. The operators selected for these controls shall present the imported commodities to the inspectors of the Border Control Posts.
5. Cost of controls
The cost of controls, including laboratory ones, is borne by the operator (Article 79 and 80 Reg. (EU) 2017/625). Payments are made to DRAP (contacts and prices) and to laboratories.
BORDER CONTROL POSTS
FNAO subject to reinforced controls or safeguard measures may only enter and be controlled in national or EU Border Control Posts (BCP), previously designated entry points (DEP) and designated import points (PID).
In exceptional situations, official identity and physical controls may be performed at Approved Control Points (CP).
LEGISLATION AND OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS
Reg (EC) 178/2002
General principles of food law and procedures in matters of food safety
Reg. (EU) 2017/625
Official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law
Reg. (EU) 2019/1793
Temporary increase of official controls and emergency measures
Dec. 2011/884/EU
Rice and rice products from China (GMO)
Reg. (EU) 2017/2058
Products from Japan associated with the risk of radioactive contamination
Reg. (EU) 2019/628
Sprouts and Seeds for the production of Sprouts
Dec. 2014/88/CE
Prohibition of Importation of Betel leaves from Bangladesh
Reg. (EU) 2015/943
Prohibition of Importation of dried beans from Nigeria
IC 19
Customs Official Information – Food of Non Animal origin
IC 39
Customs Official Information – Food Supplements
IC 119
Customs Official Information – Food Contact Material
ALSO CONSULT:
Customs Authority Manual – Food Safety and its annexes
DGAV pages:
Import of Food Suplements
Import of Food Contact Materials
Control of Food Contaminants in imported products.
Plant Health Requirements - Phytosanitary Inspection
