What UK Importers Should Expect as Regionalisation Measures Are Considered
Within the food logistics sector, updates from European authorities can have an immediate effect on how goods travel to Great Britain. From our base in Lympne, Kent, we closely monitor regulatory developments that may influence temperature-controlled shipping, international transport and the procedures applied during customs clearance at UK ports.
In recent days, Spanish authorities have confirmed cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) in wild boars in the Barcelona region. This development has direct implications for exports of pig-derived products to Great Britain and for the import operations carried out by our partners across the UK.
Response from the Spanish Authorities
Following the detection of ASF cases, Spain’s veterinary authorities have temporarily suspended the signing of export health certificates for the affected products destined for the UK. Until the area is formally recognised as ASF free by both the Spanish Government and the European Commission, the required documentation for UK entry cannot be issued.
For businesses involved in temperature-controlled logistics or handling sensitive goods, this suspension may influence shipment planning and delivery timelines.
The UK Position: Regionalisation Confirmed
DEFRA and APHA have confirmed the introduction of regionalisation measures for Spain, allowing the resumption of movements for consignments originating from areas not affected by African Swine Fever.
As a result, different import conditions now apply depending on the geographic origin of the goods. Updated guidance has been issued to Port Health Authorities, clarifying which export health certificates can be accepted and how veterinary checks should be applied at the UK border.
For entry into the United Kingdom, export health certificates must clearly indicate the correct regional code and the type of treatment applied. Certificates that do not meet these requirements may still be subject to rejection or additional controls.
Operational Impact for UK-Based Importers and European Exporters
The implications vary across the different groups we work with daily:
- UK importers and distributors
Businesses receiving regular deliveries, especially those operating within strict timelines or dealing with products subject to veterinary controls, may face delays or additional checks. This can affect stock continuity across chilled, frozen and ambient categories managed through temperature-controlled shipping.
- Italian exporters shipping goods to the United Kingdom
The suspension of export health certificates applies solely to products originating from Spain and falling within the categories affected by the measure. Italian exporters are impacted only when their supply chain includes Spanish products or ingredients that require certification issued by the Spanish veterinary authorities.
In these specific cases, the temporary inability to obtain the necessary documentation may affect the planning of international transport, making it essential to verify whether the required certificates can be issued before scheduling any shipment.
- UK consignees not yet working with Fresh Ways Logistics Ltd
For many businesses that do not have dedicated customs support, potential issues become visible only when the goods reach the port. It is at this stage that sanitary checks reveal the absence of the required certification, leading to the shipment being placed on hold. This situation can result in delays, additional costs and longer delivery times for the receiving company.
To minimise the risk of disruption, the authorities recommend temporarily holding any consignments that may be affected until the regulatory framework has been fully clarified.
Specialist Support from Our Customs Team
In situations involving veterinary controls and UK import regulations, timely and accurate guidance can make a significant difference.
Our Customs Team, working daily alongside EORI representatives and border authorities, is available to assist with:
- pre-departure document checks
- assessing potential risks ahead of arrival at UK ports
- supporting Port Health Authority inspections
- coordinating customs clearance, storage and onward logistics
This integrated approach helps maintain a stable food logistics supply chain, even during periods of regulatory uncertainty.
Ongoing Monitoring and Transparent Updates
We will continue to follow official communications from APHA and DEFRA, providing timely updates to partners importing products from Europe through our transport and temperature-controlled logistics services.
If you would like an assessment of how these measures may affect your upcoming imports or planned shipments, our team is available for dedicated support: customs@freshwayslogistics.co.uk