The Health Service Executive (HSE) Environmental Health Service (EHS) is responsible for import controls on:
- food products of non-animal origin
- some food contact materials
- cosmetic products
- tobacco and tobacco-related products entering the State from countries outside of the European Union (EU) (third countries)
Notice to all agents, drivers, and importers
To obtain HSE Clearance of all third country consignments (now including the UK) upon entry into the port, you must submit all required documentation by email to:
These documents must be submitted before your arrival into the port.
These documents are in addition to the documents submitted to the Revenue Commissioners, so you must submit them separately.
Documents for HSE checks include:
- Single Administrative Document (SAD)
- Commercial Invoice
- Bill of Lading
- Packing List
- Delivery Address
- Country of Origin of the products
It is essential that these documents be submitted via email. If the HSE need more information, they will contact you. The HSE’s EHS is operating on a 24/7 basis and is completing document checks continuously.
Failure to submit the required documentation via email will result in the delay of vehicles and your consignments, until all appropriate documentation has been received by importcontroldublin@hse.ie or importcontrolrosslare@hse.ie if you are travelling via Rosslare Europort.
The HSE, EHS check for the food safety of foods of non-animal origin or food contact materials. If you require any help or assistance, please email importcontroldublin@hse.ie or call 01 921 2851.
For Rosslare please email importcontrolrosslare@hse.ie or call +353(0)871014865.
Food imports of non-animal origin
Food imports of non-animal origin from countries outside of the EU are assessed and inspected at Dublin Port, Dublin Airport, and Rosslare Europort. Environmental Health Officers carry this out.
Increased levels of controls, including examination and sampling, are needed for specific products. These can only be imported through Border Control Posts (BCPs). In Ireland, these are Dublin Port, Dublin Airport, and Rosslare Port.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has a list of legislation relating to the import of foodstuffs.
It covers foodstuffs that are subject to increased controls for:
TRACES NT
Foods of non-animal origins and food contact material that are subject to increased checks at our BCPs must be notified to the EHS at least 24 hours before arriving. You can send the details to importcontroldublin@hse.ie or importcontrolrosslare@hse.ie. They must also be submitted on TRACES NT.
Food business operators, consignees, or shipping agents working on their behalf must:
- register with TRACES NT
- create and submit Part I of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED.D) on TRACES NT - validated by the HSE if all checks carried out are satisfactory
Register for TRACES
Please contact importcontroldublin@hse.ie or importcontrolrosslare@hse.ie for information and help with registering and using TRACES NT.
Cosmetic products
There are legal requirements for selling cosmetic products in the Republic of Ireland.
Cosmetics products legislation.
Tobacco and tobacco-related products
The import of tobacco and tobacco-related products.
Information needed to import cosmetics, tobacco, and tobacco-related products
A copy of each of the following documents:
- Bill of Lading
- Airway Bill (where appropriate)
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- SAD
- Consignee details
- Delivery address
- Location in seaport or airport
- Any available certificates, declarations or analytical reports should also be included (these may be mandatory for products subject to increased controls).
HSE BCPs
Products subject to increased official controls can only be imported through a BCP.
Read a list of BCPs on the FSAI website
Contact details for import control
Dublin Port or Dublin Airport
Dublin Port Health, Environmental Health Service
importcontroldublin@hse.ie
Rosslare Port
Rosslare Environmental Health Service
importcontrolrosslare@hse.ie
Port of Cork or Cork Airport
Cork South Lee Environmental Health Service
corkporthealth@hse.ie
Shannon Airport
Clare Environmental Health Service
clareporthealth@hse.ie
