Imports and exports

International Assurance

We have a responsibility to make sure that food and feed imported into and exported from Scotland meets legal requirements. The International Assurance Branch coordinate programmes to make sure that imported and exported food and feed are safe.

Imported food ​

We work with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the UK Office for Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Trade Assurance to deliver risk assessments and where required audit, in response to requests from third countries to provide access to the UK market for particular commodities.​

Exported food ​

Third countries with an interest in importing food from the UK may request to carry out an audit to the UK, which may include Scotland. The International Assurance Branch makes sure all documentation is in place and co-ordinates attendance at the audit by the relevant competent authorities in Scotland.

Imports

New import controls are being phased in on account of the Border Operating Model.

Visit the Food Standards Agency website for more information on imports to Great Britain:

• Importing high risk foods
• Importing products of animal origin
• Importing products of non-animal origin
• Importing fishery products or bivalve molluscs
• Importing composite products
• Importing wine
• Importing plastic kitchenware from China and Hong Kong
• Foodstuffs with GB import restrictions
• Trade information sheets

Exports

The UK Government is responsible for negotiating trade deals. In relation to food safety and standards, it is our responsibility to make sure that official controls have been applied in exporting businesses alongside local authorities.

More information about exports.