Plastic Kitchenware and Melamine

Importing Polyamide And Melamine Plastic Kitchenware From China And Hong Kong

East Midlands Airport Border Control Post (BCP) is an approved port for plastic kitchenware imports.

Plastic kitchenware is defined as plastic materials and articles that fall under CN Code ex 3924 10 00:

• Intended to come into contact with food.
• Already in contact with food.
• Reasonably be expected to come into contact with food.

Some plastic kitchenware originating in or consigned from China and Hong Kong contains polyamide or melamine. These have been found to present a potential risk to human health.

Origin of the products requires different CN codes:

China or Hong Kong - 3924 10 00 11
For other countries - 3924 10 00 19

Pre-notification is required via ehealth@nwleicestershire.gov.uk at least two working days in advance of the estimated date and time of physical arrival of consignments. Consignments will be subject to 100% documentary checks and 10% will be selected for identity and/or physical checks (including laboratory analysis). 

Documentary checks

Imports of controlled consignments will only be permitted where the consignment is accompanied by.

- A plastic declaration document (PDD). A Declaration will be needed for every consignment, however, separate declaration documents will be required for consignments of melamine and polyamide

- Laboratory report demonstrating compliance with the limits within the legislation.

- Accompanying commercial documents such as a bill of lading, invoice and packing list are also required.

Technical Limits for Polyamide kitchenware

- The report must demonstrate that the item does not release into foods (or food simulants) primary aromatic amines in a detectable quantity. (The detection quantity is 0.01mg/kg.)

Technical Limits for Melamine kitchenware

- The report must demonstrate that they do not release into foods (or food simulants) formaldehyde in a quantity exceeding 15 mg/kg.

Satisfactory checks

On satisfactory completion of the checks, consignments may be released for free circulation into Great Britain.

Unsatisfactory checks

Products that do not satisfy import conditions may be re-exported to a country outside of Great Britain.  However, if the consignment is deemed to be a risk to human health, or where the person responsible for the consignment fails to comply with a direction to re-export, it must instead be sent for destruction.

Destruction costs will be met by the person responsible for the consignment.

Where checks are unsatisfactory a legal notice will be served setting out the reasons for the failure and the options available. 

Our charges can be found on our port health fees and charges page

Further information can be found here. Assimilated Commission Regulation (EU) No 284/2011 of 22 March 2011 laying down specific conditions and detailed procedures for the import of polyamide and melamine plastic kitchenware originating in or consigned from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (legislation.gov.uk)