EU updates ASF import rules for pork and pork products
The European Commission has amended its African swine fever (ASF) control regulations, updating Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 effective 24 April 2026. The amendment revises special disease control measures affecting imports of pork and pork-derived products into the EU. Shippers and importers of meat products should verify current country-of-origin eligibility and any new testing or certification requirements that may apply to their shipments.
Photo: Luis Becerra Fotógrafo / PexelsEU tightens ASF controls on pork imports
The European Commission issued Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/985 on 24 April 2026, amending the disease control framework for African swine fever (ASF). The update modifies Annex I to the existing Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594, which establishes special measures to prevent ASF introduction into EU livestock and food chains.
Who is affected
Importers and shippers moving pork, pork meat, and pork-derived products (including processed and prepared meat goods) into EU member states are directly affected. The regulation applies to both raw and processed pork products across multiple HS chapters—principally Chapter 02 (meat and edible meat offal) and Chapter 16 (preparations of meat, fish, or crustaceans).
The amendment updates the list of third countries and regions whose pork products can enter the EU, along with any epidemiological conditions or enhanced controls they must meet. Exporters from non-EU countries will need to confirm whether their jurisdiction's ASF status has changed under the new measure.
What changes
Regulation (EU) 2023/594 established baseline ASF controls and designated which non-EU countries could export pork to the EU based on disease risk assessment. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/985 refines these rules by updating Annex I—the technical annex listing third countries, regional zones, and the controls or certifications required for each. Importers should obtain the full amended text to identify specific country eligibility updates and any new health certificates, test requirements, or quarantine measures.
Implications for trade
Shippers handling pork shipments from third countries must ensure:
- Their supplier country remains on the updated eligible-countries list
- All required health certificates match current ASF control standards
- Any new testing, traceability, or chain-of-custody documentation is obtained before shipment
- Consignments comply with updated labeling or marking rules if the regulation specifies them
Delays or rejections at EU borders may occur if documentation does not align with the amended requirements. Freight forwarders and customs brokers should request the updated annex from their clients' suppliers and verify compliance well before shipping.
What this means for shippers
ASF import rules sit at the intersection of food safety and tariff classification. While this update primarily affects regulatory compliance, it can influence landed cost if new testing, certification, or re-routing becomes necessary. For guidance on HS classification of your pork products and how regulatory holds affect duty assessment, see customs-invoice.com/hs-codes.
