Global Import Agent
IoR & Other Services

EU Food & Beverage Import Compliance

To import food into the EU you need an EU EORI number and a customs declaration, and the food must comply with EU food law, which makes food business operators responsible for the safety of the food they place on the market (Regulation (EC) No 178/2002). Global Import Agent handles EU import compliance for overseas food and drink brands.

· By the Global Import Agent team
Overview

What do you need to import food into the EU?

Core EU import requirements include the following.

  • An EU EORI number.
  • A customs declaration.
  • Compliance with EU food law, including food business operators’ responsibility for food safety under Regulation (EC) No 178/2002.
Export-ready goods prepared inside a warehouse

EU Food & Beverage Regulatory Compliance Review

We assess food and beverage products against EU import and safety standards.

  • Verification of compliance with EU General Food Law
  • Review of ingredient safety, food additives, and contaminant limits
  • Assessment of microbiological and chemical safety requirements

EU Food Labelling & Allergen Compliance

Imported food and beverages must carry labelling that complies with EU food law, including the EU FIC Regulation.

  • Verification of allergen declarations under EU allergen labelling laws
  • Nutritional labelling compliance with EU front-of-pack regulations
  • Ingredient list verification and country-of-origin labelling checks
Cargo containers moving through an international port
IoR & Other Services

EU Food & Beverage Imports

EU Market Access & Retail Compliance

We help food and beverage brands meet EU retailer and distributor requirements for market entry.

  • Compliance audits for supermarket and retail supply chains
  • Guidance on advertising, nutrition, and health claim regulations
  • Product reformulation recommendations to meet EU standards

Importing Organic & High-Risk Foods into the EU

Some organic and high-risk foods need extra documentation and safety checks before they can be imported.

  • Health certification for meat, dairy, and seafood imports
  • Monitoring of EU high-risk food list and required documentation
  • Pre-import approval for restricted or regulated food products

EU Food Safety Inspection & Compliance Audits

Imported food and beverages may face random inspections and compliance checks at EU borders, and we support you through them.

  • Pre-import compliance assessments to prevent import delays
  • Mock EU food safety audits to identify compliance gaps
  • Support for EU Border Control Post (BCP) inspections

EU Import & Customs Support

We help you meet EU food and supplement rules, from Importer of Record duties to customs documentation and market entry.

  • EU Importer of Record (IoR) services
  • CHED and health certificate preparation for high-risk foods
  • EU customs documentation and CN code classification
  • Market entry support for Amazon EU, retailers and distributors

EU Labelling & Ingredient Compliance

We check labels and ingredients against EU requirements and keep them up to date as the rules change.

  • EU food and supplement labelling compliance (Regulation 1169/2011)
  • Multilingual label formatting for cross-border sales
  • EFSA ingredient and additive assessment
  • Ongoing label monitoring and regulatory change updates

Ongoing compliance support

  • Time-Saving

    We prepare compliance reviews and import documents, so shipments are ready before they leave.

  • Regulatory Assurance

    Products checked against EU food safety, labelling and allergen requirements.

  • Peace of Mind

    Reduce the risk of border delays, rejections and enforcement action.

What you'll need

EU food imports need safety, labelling and customs details aligned.

  • Ingredient and additive detailsTo check against EU safety and contaminant limits.
  • Allergen and nutrition dataFor EU labelling requirements.
  • Health certificatesFor meat, dairy and seafood.
  • Customs documentsFor CN code classification and entry.
Free tool

Official sources

Client feedback

Trusted support, in our clients’ own words.

“Global Import Agent have successfully worked with me to land product in the U.S and remain compliant for FDA regulations. I'm really happy with their response times, and easy to use tech platform that facilitates the process.”
Jane MckayAstute Beverages
Frequently asked questions

EU Food & Beverage Imports

Requirements vary by product and destination. These answers outline the starting point for the questions we receive most often.

Ask our team

What are the EU import requirements for food and beverages?

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regulates food imports, requiring compliance with food safety, labeling, allergen, and customs regulations. Importers must ensure products meet hygiene, composition, and traceability requirements

Who needs to comply with EU food import regulations?

Any foreign food manufacturer, distributor, or exporter looking to sell products in the EU retail or foodservice market must comply with EU food laws, labeling regulations, and customs requirements

What labeling requirements apply to food & beverage imports into the EU?

  • EU-imported food and beverages must have: Ingredient lists and allergen declarations following EU regulations Nutritional labeling and front-of-pack guidance compliance Country of origin labeling (COOL) where required Proper storage, usage, and expiry date information

What happens if a food or beverage product is not compliant with EU regulations?

  • EU Border Control Post (BCP) may reject or detain shipments
  • Regulatory agencies may issue fines or require product re-labeling
  • Non-compliant products may face costly recalls or removal from shelves
  • Reformulation or additional documentation may be required

How do I import organic food into the EU?

To import organic food into the EU, you must:

  • Obtain EU organic certification approved under Regulation (EU) 2018/848
  • Ensure compliance with organic production and labeling standards
  • Verify approved organic supply chains and import documentation
  • Meet additional customs and SPS checks for organic imports

How can I ensure EU compliance before importing food products?

You can ensure compliance by:

  • Conducting a full regulatory compliance review
  • Obtaining the necessary import permits and certifications
  • Ensuring accurate food labeling and allergen declarations
  • Working with an EU food compliance expert to prevent delays
Read more

Further reading

Discuss your requirements

Talk through your product and target market with our team.

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Consultation

Tell us what you need to import.

Share your product, target market and compliance question. A member of our team will respond promptly.

Scope your product and target market
Identify the applicable regulatory route
Receive a clear proposal and next steps