Six checks before confirming an order
The importer remains responsible for the requirements that apply to the exact commodity and destination. Use this page as a planning sequence, not as legal or customs advice.
1. Classify the product and trade route
Identify the correct commodity code, country of origin, destination and intended use. Check duties, restrictions, licences and documentary requirements in Access2Markets or with the importer’s customs representative.
2. Confirm the importing roles
Agree who acts as importer of record, who submits customs and plant-health notifications, which border point will be used and which party handles inspections, fees and release.
3. Check plant-health requirements
Confirm whether the commodity requires a phytosanitary certificate, additional declarations, pre-export treatment or specific pest-freedom statements. Requirements vary by product and may change.
4. Agree the residue and food-safety plan
Confirm the buyer’s testing programme against the current EU Maximum Residue Levels. Define sampling, laboratory, traceability, lot identification and the action to take if a result is outside specification.
5. Align grade, marking and packaging
Agree quality class, size, tolerances, origin marking, lot identification, net weight, buyer labels and packaging. Fresh produce placed on the EU market must meet applicable marketing standards.
6. Finalise documents and border timing
Match the invoice, packing list, transport document, origin documents, phytosanitary paperwork and any required TRACES entry. Allow time for documentary, identity and physical checks before onward delivery.
Requirements are commodity-specific. Confirm the latest position with the importer, customs representative and relevant plant-health authority before dispatch.
Cairo, Egypt
Malden, Netherlands