Authorized Government Agency(s):
The United Kingdom left the European Union January 31, 2020, and completed its exit from the EU December 31, 2021.
Agency(s) Contact Information:
United Kindom's Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Organic Team Import Section
Phone: 020 7238 5777 (UK)
E-mail: organic.imports@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Description: Provides the latest news on organic imports.
A. Business Link
Description: Provides information on preparing to import organic produce to the UK and includes sections on preparing to import organic produce, applying for organic import authorization, certificate of Inspection and other import documents for organic produce, other regulatory requirements affecting organic importers, transport and organic imports as well as certificates of conformity and the Procedure for Electronic Application for Certificates (PEACH.)
2. HM Revenues & Customs
Description: information pack created as a basic guide to anyone wishing to import or export goods. It acts as a guide to help anyone get started on importing and / or exporting, and also provides a better understanding of the procedures involved in these activities.
3. Food Standards Agency
Telephone: 20 7276 8829,
E-mail: helpline@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
A. Imported food
Description: Includes information on what to do before importing, the banned or restricted products, advice about imports, the different legislation for importing food.
4. US Embassy - Office of Agricultural Affairs
Telephone: 44-20-7891-3313
Email: aglondon@fas.usda.gov
Description: This office represents the interests of U.S. agriculture and promote the sale of American food and agricultural, fisheries and forestry products in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and provides trade services both for local companies seeking U.S. products and for U.S. companies wishing to develop markets in the UK.
Name(s) of Regulation and/or Standard:
The United Kingdom has an Equivalency Agreement with the United States.
Date of Implementation of equivalence arrangement: January 1, 2021
Regulation and/or Standard Scope:
The United States (U.S.) has an equivalence arrangement with the United Kingdom (UK), which includes Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) and Northern Ireland. This means that organic products certified to either the USDA or UK organic standards may be labelled and sold as organic in both countries, as long as the products meet the terms of the arrangement. The equivalence arrangement is limited to organic products that have been either raised within the U.S. or UK, or products for which the final processing or packaging occurs within the U.S. or UK. This includes products processed or packaged in the U.S. or UK that contain organic ingredients from third countries that have been certified to the USDA or UK organic standards.
Allowed product categories: Crops, Wild Crops, Livestock, Processed Products.