Plastic Kitchenware

From 1st July 2011, any polyamide or melamine kitchenware originating in or consigned from China and Hong Kong must be declared and pre-notified at the Border Control Post (BCP) at least two working days before the estimated arrival date of the consignment.

For each consignment, the following documentation must be submitted to River Tees Port Health Authority:

• A declaration
• A laboratory report confirming the product does not release into food primary aromatic amines in detectable quantities and formaldehyde in a quantity exceeding the specific migration limit of 15 milligrams per kilogram

Examples of polyamide kitchenware include cooking spatulas, slotted spoons and turners and examples of melamine kitchenware include picnic sets, plates, bowls, cups and trays.

River Tees Port Health Authority will accept all documents electronically and originals will only be requested in cases where there is some ambiguity with the electronic copies, such as poor quality photographs.

There is a requirement to randomly sample 10% of all consignments and where sampling is to be carried out the importer will be informed at the earliest opportunity. The consignment will be detained at the port until official controls have been completed.

All costs resulting from official controls, including documentary checks, sampling, analysis, and any measures taken following non-compliance, shall be borne by the food business operator. Additional charges may apply from the port operator to produce a container for examination and for the storage of the goods. Food business operators should contact the port operator for clarification of these charges.

DES Notification – you can now pre-notify us using DES

Plastic Kitchenware Fees and Charges

Document Check

Number of Analytical Reports	Charge (£)
Up to 5	46.00

For declarations containing more than 5 lab reports, add £14.00 for each additional 5 lab reports.

Sampling Fee

Should your consignment be subject to formal sampling a standing charge of £132.00 will apply.

Analytical Fees

Analytical fees depend on the type of plastic being tested, and the availability of the chosen laboratory, please contact us for an up to date charge.

Please note that if your declaration contains more than one item that has separate documentation, e.g. lab reports, more than one sample may be taken and you will be charged accordingly. Please contact us for more information on this.

Non-compliance Fee

In the event that your consignment fails to comply with EC Regulation 284/2011 there will be an additional charge of £160.00.