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Examinations

WORLD CLASS BORDER INSPECTION PORT FACILITIES

Our world-class Border Control Post (BCP) consists of three purpose-built facilities that allow statutory exams to be undertaken on all types of goods with the least possible delay.

Serving the port’s two container terminals as well as Dooley Roll-on/Roll-off terminal, our examination facilities are amongst the biggest and best equipped in the country. Our facilities are managed in-house to deliver a seamless service to customers, controlled by an experienced and dedicated team who liaise closely with inspectors from all statutory agencies.

The port’s modern and extensive BCP facilities enable numerous authorities to undertake their examination requirements simultaneously. These include, the Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority (SCPHA), Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), UK Border Force, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency, NaVCIS and Trading Standards.

We are committed to ensuring that cargoes are not unduly delayed. Our experienced staff work in collaboration with the relevant authorities and colleagues across the port to produce a daily plan to ensure the examination process is handled efficiently. Containers and trailers selected for X-ray examination are scanned by a state-of-the-art machine permanently based at the port and controlled by Border Force.

71 SHED - TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED EXAMINATION FACILITY (TCEF)

Examinations undertaken in the TCEF are usually of products of animal origin and are predominantly called for by the Port Health Authority.

The TCEF is divided into two inspection areas. The first of these is a five-bay facility used to examine cargoes for human consumption – largely fish and chicken. The other area has two bays and is used for the inspection of cargoes not for human consumption, such as, fishmeal and pet food.

70 SHED - AMBIENT TEMPERATURE EXAMINATION FACILITY (ATEF)

The port’s designated ATEF is housed within a large warehouse known as 70 Shed. 70 Shed is split into multiple bays, 6 bays for the Animal Origin Food Facility, 3 bays for the Micro Examination Food Facility, 7 bays for the General Food Facility and 4 bays for the Allergen Facility. Examination of products of animal origin, such as honey, canned tuna, gelatine and corned beef, as well as examination of foodstuffs not of animal origin, such as nuts, fruit and spices are facilitated.

72 SHED - AMBIENT & TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED EXAMINATION FACILITY

72 Shed opened in 2023 and was built to accommodate the increase in examinations on goods of European origin following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The new facility combines both ambient and temperature controlled areas and predominantly handles trailer traffic arriving via our Ro-Ro services. The ten ambient bays are designated for plant health inspections (including plants for planting, cut flowers and produce), with two temperature controlled bays designated for products of animal origin.

For hygiene purposes and to prevent cross-contamination, all areas within our facilities are kept entirely separate from each other, with each area containing its own designated equipment.