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In the import of food products and goods that come into any contact with
food, time is literally money. Every day of delay at the port terminal
drastically shortens the product's shelf life and generates huge costs. A key role in
this entire process is played by the State Sanitary Inspection, which meticulously controls
what enters our market.
What exactly does Sanepid control at the port?
The border Sanepid station is mainly associated with food, but its powers are much
broader. The inspection controls not only non-animal origin food (e.g., nuts,
spices, coffee, or tea), but also all materials and articles intended for
contact with food.
This includes, among others:
- Dishes, cutlery, and kitchen ceramics,
- Packaging and products made of plastic or steel,
- Processing aids used in manufacturing.
Of course, not every item automatically undergoes inspection. The following groups are subject to inspection
goods that are on the official, constantly updated list. For goods to
clear customs, you must have the appropriate documents – such as
the EU CHED-D document or detailed health certificates. A single missing attachment
can freeze sea transport for many weeks.
Time is Money: The 48-Hour Rule
In the port environment, a simple rule applies: the sooner you submit complete
documents (including, for example, results of foreign laboratory tests), the sooner officials
will make a decision. The Sanitary Inspectorate prioritizes complete and well-prepared submissions.
Regulations clearly define the minimum deadlines for notifying goods for inspection:
- A minimum of 48 hours before the planned arrival of goods at the port for
standard products,
- A minimum of 24 hours for perishable goods.
It is worth remembering that for some product groups, inspection must absolutely take place at the
border, not inland. However, if you have all the documentation much
earlier, there is nothing to prevent you from submitting the notification further in advance.
This allows officials to issue a decision even before the ship arrives, which completely
eliminates delays at the port.
What to do when a laboratory inspection is unavoidable?
There are situations where sample collection and laboratory testing are mandatory.
Waiting for results can take from a few days to even two weeks. Keeping
a container at an expensive port terminal for such a long time is financial suicide for the
profitability of imports.
The solution that saves a company's budget in such moments is having access to
a Temporary Storage Facility (MCS) or a customs warehouse. This allows for the safe
removal of the container from the port and unloading it while awaiting Sanepid's decision, which means
you avoid paying huge penalties for holding the carrier's equipment (demurrage and
detention).
Secure imports with expert oversight
Experience shows that fear of sanitary inspections usually stems from a lack of knowledge
of dynamically changing regulations. Operating blindly and seeking savings where
precision is paramount rarely ends well. The lowest freight rate alone
won't help if goods get stuck in port due to formal reasons.
At Isphera S.A., we understand how valuable your time is. We don't just organize international
sea transport; we also comprehensively manage all documentation. Our experts
verify paperwork before the vessel leaves the port of loading, collaborate with customs agencies, and
ensure border procedures run as smoothly as possible.
Planning to import goods requiring notification to Sanepid? Don't risk costly
mistakes. Contact us – we'll ensure your sea freight
reaches its destination without unnecessary delays.