Hungary Imposes New Regulations on Importation of Certain Food Products

Hungary has recently announced the implementation of new regulations regarding the importation of specific food products. The official decree, published on April 11, 2024, under No. 80/2024, outlines measures that will come into effect five days after the announcement. These regulations aim to enhance food safety and address various concerns, particularly in light of the ongoing situation in Ukraine. 

Key Provisions:

The new regulations encompass several important aspects related to the importation of food products into Hungary:

1. Declaration Requirements for Agricultural Products:

During the state of emergency, as determined by the Hungarian government due to issues such as the situation in Ukraine, agricultural products listed in Annex 1 of the decree must be declared to the National Food Chain Safety Office (NEBIH) in advance before entering Hungary. However, transit goods are exempted from this requirement. Additionally, personal consumption items weighing less than 25kg or 25L are also exempted.

2. Language and Reporting Deadlines:

Importers of agricultural products should submit their declarations in Hungarian. For air and sea shipments, the declaration should be made no later than six hours before importation, while for other modes of transportation, the deadline is 24 hours prior to importation. Multiple imports of the same product can be covered by a single declaration, provided that the importation occurs within 30 days from the date of declaration. NEBIH will promptly send an electronic confirmation to the applicant upon receiving a complete application.

3. Required Declaration Information:

The declaration should include essential details such as the applicant's information, product details, quantity and quality specifications, value, storage location, country of origin, and recipient's address. Annex 1 of the decree specifies food-related products such as fresh and frozen beef, pork, lamb, egg products, grain flour, and wine.

Hungary's newly implemented importation regulations for certain food products aim to strengthen food safety measures and address specific concerns, particularly in light of the ongoing situation in Ukraine. These measures require advanced declarations for agricultural products listed in Annex 1 of the decree, with specific reporting deadlines and information requirements. Importers must ensure compliance with these regulations to facilitate smooth import operations and maintain the highest standards of food safety in Hungary.