Importing Citrus Fruit to the UK

Types of Citrus Fruits

The most popular citrus fruits imported into the UK include:

• Oranges
• Lemons
• Grapefruits
• Mandarins
• Tangerines
• Limes
• Grapefruit

Importing Citrus Fruit to the UK

To import citrus fruit to the UK, businesses must comply with a number of regulations. These regulations are designed to protect consumers and ensure that imported citrus fruit is safe and of good quality.

The main regulations that importers need to be aware of are:

• The Plant Health (Import of Citrus Fruit) Order 2015
• The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations 2012

The Plant Health (Import of Citrus Fruit) Order 2015 sets out the requirements for the import of citrus fruit to the UK from third countries. These requirements include:

• Citrus fruit must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the competent authority in the country of origin.
• Citrus fruit must be inspected by a plant health inspector on arrival in the UK.
• Citrus fruit must be free from certain pests and diseases.

The Fruit Juices and Fruit Nectars Regulations 2012 set out the requirements for the composition, labelling, and marketing of fruit juices and fruit nectars in the UK. These requirements include:

• Fruit juices and fruit nectars must contain a certain percentage of fruit content.
• Fruit juices and fruit nectars must be labelled in a clear and accurate way.
• Fruit juices and fruit nectars must not contain any added sugar or other sweeteners.

Importing Citrus Fruit from the EU

Since the UK left the EU, there have been some changes to the way that citrus fruit is imported from the EU.

Citrus fruit from the EU is now subject to border checks. This means that all consignments of citrus fruit must be inspected by a plant health inspector on arrival in the UK.

Citrus fruit from the EU must also be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the competent authority in the country of origin.

Importing Citrus Fruit from Third Countries

Citrus fruit from third countries is subject to stricter import requirements than citrus fruit from the EU.

Citrus fruit from third countries must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the competent authority in the country of origin. This certificate must state that the citrus fruit is free from certain pests and diseases.

Citrus fruit from third countries must also be inspected by a plant health inspector on arrival in the UK.

Importing Citrus Fruit for Processing

Businesses that import citrus fruit for processing are subject to different import requirements than businesses that import citrus fruit for fresh consumption.

Businesses that import citrus fruit for processing do not need to obtain a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin.

However, businesses that import citrus fruit for processing must still notify the UK plant health authorities of their imports.

Conclusion

Importing citrus fruit to the UK is a complex process, but it is important to comply with all applicable regulations to ensure that imported citrus fruit is safe and of good quality.

Additional Information

In addition to the regulations mentioned above, there are a number of other factors that importers should be aware of, such as:

• The UK government has a number of guidance notes and other resources available to help businesses import citrus fruit.
• Importers should be aware of the different import requirements for different types of citrus fruit.
• Importers should be aware of the different import requirements for citrus fruit that is to be eaten fresh and citrus fruit that is to be processed.
• Importers should keep up to date with any changes to the import regulations.

Here are some additional tips for importing citrus fruit to the UK:

• Choose a reputable supplier.
• Make sure that the citrus fruit is packaged and transported correctly.
• Clear the citrus fruit through customs promptly.
• Inspect the citrus fruit on arrival and report any problems to the supplier or the UK plant health authorities.
• Store the citrus fruit in a cool, dry place.
• Label the citrus fruit accurately.