Import guide · Europe
United Kingdom poultry import guide: trade evidence, permits and border steps
The UK reported USD 2.09 billion of poultry-meat imports in 2024 (HS 0207, 533,889 t). Great Britain admits poultry meat only from approved countries and establishments, pre-notified in IPAFFS, under the Import Information Note for poultry meat.
Checked . Trade figures are 2025 and 2024 UN Comtrade data published by World Bank WITS, by product code; 2025 reporting is still incomplete. They are historical evidence only — not proof that any origin or plant is eligible today, has stock, or will quote.
Trade evidence by product lane, 2025 and 2024
| Product lane | HS code | 2025 imports | 2024 imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poultry meat | 0207 | USD 2.64 billion578,411 t | USD 2.09 billion533,889 t |
| Eggs in shellTable and hatching eggs combined. | 0407 | USD 180.5 million48,108 t | USD 144.6 million39,952 t |
- Northern Ireland follows different arrangements; this guide covers Great Britain.
Official import authority, permit and certificate sources
Eligibility is specific to the commodity, origin country and region, establishment and current disease status, and it changes. Check the current official list for the exact consignment. How rules differ for live birds, hatching eggs, eggs, meat and machinery.
- GOV.UK — Import of poultry meat for human consumption (IIN MPPM/12) Product conditions
- GOV.UK — importing animal products from non-EU countries to Great Britain Process and IPAFFS
- Non-EU countries approved to export animal products to Great Britain Approved country lists
- GOV.UK — risk categories and inspection rates (BTOM) Border checks
Border entry steps
- Confirm the country is approved for poultry meat and the plant is on the GB establishment list.
- Pre-notify the consignment in IPAFFS and present it at a border control post with the matching health certificate.
- Inspection rates follow the published BTOM risk category for the product and origin.
Buyer checklist and product specification
- Name the exact product: species, cut or form, chilled or frozen, packing, labelling language and shelf life required on arrival.
- State the volume per shipment and per year, delivery window and Incoterm, and the total programme or lot value (USD 250,000 or more).
- Confirm who is the licensed importer of record and who holds the import permit or registration.
- Ask every offering plant to show it is on the destination's current establishment list for that product — before price is discussed.
Cold-chain and live-animal handling
- Chilled poultry meat at not more than 4 °C; frozen product commonly at −18 °C or colder, with temperature records available to the border control post.
Send an RFQ
HatchMatch coordinates sourcing and RFQs for commercial buyers. It does not own farms, hatcheries, slaughterhouses or stock, and cannot guarantee supply, customs clearance, delivery, certification or price. Requests start at USD 250,000; buyers pay nothing. Every brief is reviewed by a person before any supplier is approached, and your identity stays private — we aim to reply within two business days.
Chicks, hatching eggs and breeder stock are scoped inside a hatchery or breeder project brief. Sourcing other agri-food commodities? Global B2B Group commodity sourcing.