Does Harvest Gate export Sri Lankan produce to United Kingdom?
Yes. Harvest Gate is an agricultural exporter based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom is one of its export markets. It ships Sri Lankan spices and fresh produce to UK importers by sea from the Port of Colombo or by air from Bandaranaike International Airport, each consignment quoted separately and shipped with a phytosanitary certificate.
Which products are available for United Kingdom importers?
Harvest Gate's range for importers covers Ceylon cinnamon and the other Sri Lankan spices, fresh tropical fruits, vegetables, leaves and yams.
Some fresh produce faces extra plant health rules, checks or restrictions in Great Britain. So tell us the products you need, and the quotation confirms which can ship to the UK, in what form and by which route. The vegetable season calendar shows when each vegetable is planted in Sri Lanka.
What import documents are prepared for shipments to United Kingdom?
Each consignment ships with a phytosanitary certificate from Sri Lanka's plant health authority, with the certificate of origin, packing list and commercial invoice. For plants and plant products in Great Britain's high and medium risk categories, the certificate must be issued no more than 13 days before or after the consignment leaves the country of export (Defra and APHA).
On the UK side, the importer registers on IPAFFS, Great Britain's import notification system, and notifies APHA (or SASA in Scotland) before the goods arrive. The goods then go through documentary, identity and physical checks at a border control post (Defra and APHA).
| Step | Harvest Gate, the exporter | The UK importer |
|---|---|---|
| Before shipping | Phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, packing list and commercial invoice for the consignment | Registers on IPAFFS |
| Before arrival | Sends scanned copies of the documents | Pre-notifies the consignment on IPAFFS: at least 4 working hours before landing by air, at least 1 working day before arrival by sea |
| On arrival | No further step | Documentary, identity and physical checks at a border control post |
UK import controls and tariffs in brief
- Plant health: the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and its Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) sort plants and plant products into high, medium and low risk categories. High and medium risk goods need a phytosanitary certificate and pre-notification; low risk goods are exempt from plant health controls. Defra's plant health portal gives each product's category (Defra and APHA).
- Food safety: the Food Standards Agency keeps a list of high-risk food and feed not of animal origin that gets extra checks at the border, by product and country of origin. Check it for each product before you order (FSA).
- Tariffs: under the DCTS tariff scheme, the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme, Sri Lanka is in the Enhanced Preferences tier, which gives 0 per cent import tariffs on 92 per cent of product lines; products not covered pay the UK Global Tariff (DCTS).
The guide to UK import requirements goes further. Rules change, so check the current gov.uk guidance for each consignment.
How long does air freight from Colombo to United Kingdom take?
It depends on the flight routing and the UK airport. Air freight leaves from Bandaranaike International Airport near Colombo; ask for the transit time for your consignment when you request a quote. Remember that for air freight the importer must pre-notify the goods on IPAFFS at least 4 working hours before they land in Great Britain (Defra and APHA). The guide to Incoterms for perishables explains which terms suit air freight.
Buyer questions
Questions UK buyers ask
What UK spice importers and wholesalers ask before ordering from Sri Lanka. Not answered here? Send the question with your enquiry.
Request a quote01What are the MOQ and payment terms for United Kingdom buyers?
Minimum quantities depend on the product, the packing and the route, so they are confirmed with each quotation, together with the payment terms for the consignment. Tell us the products, the quantities and the UK port or airport when you request a quote.
02Can UK importers buy Ceylon cinnamon direct from Sri Lanka?
Yes. Harvest Gate exports Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) from Sri Lanka as quills and powder, with the other Sri Lankan spices in its range, by sea from the Port of Colombo or by air from Bandaranaike International Airport. The guide to true Ceylon cinnamon explains how it is graded and how to tell it from cassia.
03Can samples be sent to the UK before ordering?
Yes. Request samples with your UK delivery address and the products you are interested in, so you can check them before your first order.
Sources
- Defra and APHA, gov.uk: Import plants and plant products from non-EU countries to Great Britain.
- FSA, the Food Standards Agency, gov.uk: Importing high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin into Great Britain.
- DCTS, gov.uk: Preference tiers under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
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