What Buyers Need to Know (UK vs EU)

If you’re importing food products into the UK or EU, understanding HS codes and customs duties isn’t just a formality—it’s essential for keeping your goods moving and your margins healthy.

Whether you’re shipping frozen berries, canned vegetables, cheese, or confectionery, here’s what food importers need to know. We identified this as a key question during a recent visit to the IFE Event in London.

🧾 What is an HS Code?

An HS code (Harmonised System code) is an internationally standardised number used to classify traded goods. For food products, this might cover everything from chocolate to seafood to fruit purée.

Food items often fall into Chapters 02–23 of the HS system, such as:

• Chapter 04: Dairy products, eggs
• Chapter 08: Edible fruit and nuts
• Chapter 19: Preparations of cereals, flour, starch (e.g. biscuits, bread)
• Chapter 21: Miscellaneous food preparations (e.g. sauces, desserts)

The code you use determines:

• What import duty and VAT apply
• Whether certificates (e.g. health certs, organic certs) are required
• If quotas or trade preferences are in place

EU vs UK: The Key Differences

🔍 Important: The codes are often similar—but duty rates, documentation requirements, and even sanitary rules may differ.

Examples from the Food Industry

Let’s break this down with real examples:

Example 1: Chocolate Bars

• HS Code: 1806.32
• Duty in the EU: 8.3% (if not under a preferential agreement)
• Duty in the UK: 8% (unless reduced under an FTA)

Example 2: Frozen Strawberries

• HS Code: 0811.10.11
• Duty in the EU: 12%
• Duty in the UK: May vary based on country of origin

Example 3: Cheese (e.g. Camembert, Cheddar)

• HS Code: 0406.20
• EU Duties: Can be high (20–40%), unless within EU or under an FTA
• UK Duties: Also high if no preferential origin — but can be 0% from countries like New Zealand or Australia

💡 How to Get the Right Code and Rate

For the EU, use the TARIC database

For the UK, use the UK Integrated Tariff Tool

Check country of origin and any trade agreements (e.g. EU–Japan EPA, UK–Australia FTA)

📌 Tip: Misclassification can lead to delays, inspections, and even financial penalties. Always double-check.

📦 For Food Importers: Don’t Forget

✅ Health certificates may be required
✅ Import licences can apply for some dairy, meat, or animal-based products
✅ Customs duty is just one cost—VAT is also added on top
✅ Packaging, labelling, and sanitary checks differ between UK and EU

Final Thoughts

If you’re importing food into the UK or EU, getting the HS code and customs classification right is non-negotiable. It affects duty, documentation, and delivery times.

Need help decoding the right HS code or calculating your import costs? Let’s connect—We are always happy to share insights or tools that can help.

As of 31 January 2025, all goods imported from the European Union into Great Britain must be accompanied by a safety and security declaration, commonly known as an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS). Continue reading about the New UK Safety & Security Declarations  

Partnering with Capital Transport ensures that your food transportation needs are met with the highest standards of compliance and professionalism, allowing you to focus on your core business with peace of mind. Contact us today to learn more.

The post HS Codes & Import Duties in the Food Industry appeared first on Capital Transport.

For food production companies in Europe, maintaining the quality and safety of perishable goods during transport is a critical challenge. Cold chain management ensures that temperature-sensitive products, from dairy and seafood to frozen meals and fresh produce, arrive at their destination in optimal condition. Without a well-maintained cold chain, food spoilage, financial losses, and compliance issues can arise.

In this article, we’ll explore best practices for temperature control during transit and the latest technological advancements that are transforming refrigerated food logistics.

BEST PRACTICES FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN TRANSIT

1. Pre-Cooling and Proper Storage Ensuring that perishable goods are pre-cooled to the appropriate temperature before loading minimizes the risk of temperature fluctuations. This is especially important for frozen and chilled products.
2. Real-Time Temperature Monitoring The use of IoT-based temperature sensors and data loggers allows continuous monitoring of cargo conditions. Automated alerts can quickly identify temperature deviations, allowing for immediate corrective actions.
3. Optimized Loading and Unloading Processes Rapid and efficient loading and unloading reduce exposure to external temperatures. Utilizing insulated loading docks and ensuring that refrigeration units remain active during these processes is essential.
4. High-Quality Packaging Solutions Insulated packaging materials such as thermal blankets, gel packs, and vacuum-sealed containers help maintain the required temperature throughout transit, preventing thermal shock.
5. Regular Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance Routine maintenance of refrigerated transport units ensures that cooling systems are functioning correctly, reducing the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns that could compromise the cold chain.

CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES IN COLD CHAIN LOGISTICS

The refrigerated transport industry is evolving rapidly, with new technologies improving efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. Here are some of the latest innovations enhancing cold chain logistics:

1. IoT-Enabled Smart Tracking Systems Advanced IoT sensors provide real-time updates on temperature, humidity, and transit conditions, enabling logistics teams to respond immediately to potential disruptions.
2. Blockchain for Food Traceability Blockchain technology enhances transparency by creating a secure, tamper-proof record of each stage in the cold chain. This helps ensure compliance with food safety regulations and provides greater accountability.
3. AI and Machine Learning for Route Optimization Artificial intelligence (AI) helps predict potential delays, optimize delivery routes, and suggest proactive solutions to maintain temperature consistency throughout transit.
4. Eco-Friendly Refrigeration Technologies Sustainable refrigeration methods, including cryogenic cooling and liquid nitrogen-based systems, are reducing the carbon footprint of refrigerated transport while maintaining efficiency.
5. Electric and Autonomous Refrigerated Vehicles The development of electric and self-driving refrigerated trucks is helping to reduce emissions while ensuring reliable cold chain management. These advancements are particularly relevant as Europe moves towards greener transport solutions.

CONCLUSION

For food producers, effective cold chain management is essential to maintaining product quality, meeting regulatory standards, and reducing waste. By following best practices for temperature control and adopting the latest logistics technologies, companies can ensure that their perishable goods remain fresh and safe during transit.

At Capital Transport & Shipping we provide cutting-edge BRC AA accredited refrigerated transport solutions tailored to the needs of food manufacturers across Europe. Contact us today to learn how our advanced cold chain logistics services can protect your perishable products throughout the supply chain.

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NAVIGATING EUROPEAN FOOD TRANSPORTATION COMPLIANCE

The European Union (EU) has established a comprehensive legal framework to guarantee the safety and quality of food products throughout the supply chain. Key obligations under this regulation include:

Traceability: Businesses must be able to trace food, feed, and any other substance intended to be incorporated into food at all stages of production, processing, and distribution.

Safety Assurance: Operators are required to ensure that foods comply with safety requirements and do not pose a risk to consumer health.

Transparency: Immediate notification to competent authorities is mandatory if a food operator believes that a food they have imported, produced, processed, manufactured, or distributed is not in compliance with food safety requirements.

Non-Compliance Example: Contaminated Dairy Products in Spain

In 2023, a Spanish dairy company faced severe consequences when it failed to maintain hygiene standards in its transportation vehicles. The contamination led to a widespread recall of dairy products, resulting in financial losses exceeding €5 million and damaging consumer trust. The failure to comply with hygiene regulations demonstrated the necessity of stringent compliance with food safety laws.

THE BREXIT EFFECT ON FOOD TRANSPORTATION COMPLIANCE

The United Kingdom’s departure from the EU has introduced new complexities into the logistics of food transportation between the UK and EU member states. Brexit has resulted in increased border controls, additional customs documentation, and heightened regulatory checks. For instance, EU exporters of chilled and frozen meat, fish, cheese, and dairy products to the UK now require health certificates signed off by a veterinarian or plant inspector, leading to potential delays and increased costs.

Moreover, the introduction of physical checks and higher charges has raised concerns about the variety and freshness of fine artisan foods imported from the EU into the UK. These changes necessitate that businesses adapt swiftly to the evolving regulatory landscape to maintain seamless operations and compliance.

Non-Compliance Example: Delayed Meat Shipments to the UK

In early 2024, several UK supermarkets faced empty shelves in their meat sections due to delayed imports from the EU. A failure to secure the necessary health certificates led to shipments being held at border checkpoints, causing spoilage and financial losses for both exporters and UK retailers. This incident highlighted the critical role of compliance in maintaining smooth cross-border food logistics.

COMMON COMPLIANCE MISTAKES IN FOOD LOGISTICS

Inadequate Temperature Control: Maintaining the correct temperature during transportation is crucial to prevent spoilage and ensure food safety. Neglecting this can result in unsafe products reaching consumers, leading to potential health risks and costly recalls.

Insufficient Documentation: Proper record-keeping is essential for traceability and accountability. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation can hinder the ability to track products, manage recalls, and demonstrate compliance during audits.

Poor Pest Control Measures: Neglecting pest management can lead to contamination of food products, posing health risks to consumers and leading to enforcement actions by regulatory bodies.

Labelling and Packaging Errors: Mislabelling allergens or providing incorrect nutritional information can mislead consumers and pose serious health risks, especially for those with allergies. Such errors can lead to legal liabilities and loss of consumer trust.

Lack of Staff Training: Without proper training, staff may be unaware of compliance requirements, leading to unintentional violations. Continuous education ensures that employees are up-to-date with current regulations and best practices.

Non-Compliance Example: Improper Recordkeeping in the Seafood Industry

A European seafood distributor was fined €2 million in 2022 after failing to maintain accurate records of its imports and exports. This lack of documentation led to non-compliance with traceability requirements, creating legal challenges and undermining customer confidence in the company’s operations.

HOW CAPITAL TRANSPORT CAN ASSIST

Navigating the complex and evolving regulatory environment requires expertise and a proactive approach. Capital Transport and Shipping, with over 50 years of combined experience in international transport, specializes in ensuring compliance with European food transportation regulations, and we are BRC AA accredited.

Our services include:

Customs Expertise: We manage the complexities of customs documentation and procedures, ensuring your shipments comply with the latest regulations, thereby minimizing delays and avoiding potential penalties.

Temperature-Controlled Transport: Understanding the critical importance of the cold chain, we offer state-of-the-art temperature-controlled transportation solutions to maintain the integrity and safety of your food products throughout transit.

Regulatory Compliance Support: Our team stays abreast of the latest regulatory changes, providing you with timely advice and solutions to keep your operations compliant and efficient.

Partnering with Capital Transport ensures that your food transportation needs are met with the highest standards of compliance and professionalism, allowing you to focus on your core business with peace of mind. Contact us today to learn more.

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