Customs Brokerage Made Simple

The majority of veterinary goods must be inspected on entry into the EU. This means that an application for inspection needs to be made in addition to the import declaration. SGS Maco helps you to navigate this process by assessing your documents to prevent customs finding any shortcomings during inspection. Together with our partners at the port, we also ensure that customs declarations, inspections, gas measurements, and internal transport run smoothly, so that you have access to your goods as quickly as possible. Examples of veterinary goods include meat and fish products, dog food, cat food, horns and skulls for interior design, and food such as spices (e.g. ground chillies), or kitchen equipment from China made from melamine and polyamide plastic.

Products such as meat and fish undergo veterinary checks at the first point of entry into the EU. Both Customs and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) are involved in carrying out these veterinary inspections. To submit a veterinary declaration (GGB, or Common Health Entry Document), accompanying documents—such as the original health certificate—must be present.
Without these documents, Customs cannot process the GGB. Once the document check has been approved, a ‘D-conform’ status is issued, and (if necessary) an identity check or physical inspection can be carried out at a recognized inspection location by an authorized NVWA officer. If the identity check is also approved, the container may continue its journey to the final destination after submission of the required customs documentation.