Import Brewer's Yeast into the UK: Feed Rules & UKVFTA

Last updated: 5 November 2026 · Tbes Editorial Team

Dried brewer’s yeast enters Great Britain as feed material 12.1.5, “Yeasts [brewers’ yeast]”, in the Catalogue of feed materials retained in GB law. It is not on the GB list of high-risk feed of non-animal origin for Vietnam, so no border control post check applies under that regime. Preferential duty under the UK–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) needs valid proof of origin. TBESBY supplies the specification, Certificate of Analysis and origin documents each step needs.

Requirements at a glance

Requirement	Who is responsible	What TBESBY provides
Classify as feed material 12.1.5	Importer	Specification with the 12.1.5 description
Label moisture and crude protein	Importer / pet food maker	Certificate of Analysis with every shipment
Feed business registration in GB	Importer	Supplier documents for the importer’s file
Undesirable substances within GB limits	Importer and supplier	Third-party results on request
Proof of origin for UKVFTA	Exporter	EUR.1 or origin statement

Feed material 12.1.5: how GB classifies brewer’s yeast

Great Britain kept the EU Catalogue of feed materials after leaving the EU. Entry 12.1.5 covers yeasts from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and related species grown on substrates mostly of vegetable origin, including cereals and products containing starch. Brewer’s yeast from beer fermentation falls squarely within this description.

What the label must declare

For yeast with moisture below 75%, which includes all dried brewer’s yeast, the catalogue requires two compulsory declarations: moisture and crude protein. Propionic acid must also be declared if it exceeds 0.5%. Our Certificate of Analysis reports both moisture and crude protein for every shipment.

Is it a high-risk import?

Certain products of non-animal origin from named countries must be pre-notified on IPAFFS and enter through a border control post. That list was updated from 1 January 2026. It contains no brewer’s yeast entry for Vietnam, so these checks do not apply. Ordinary official controls on feed still apply at entry or during distribution, and the list is reviewed regularly, so check it before each shipping season.

Importer and hygiene obligations

The importer must be registered or approved as a feed business with its local authority. A GB-based representative is only required for certain higher-risk feeds, such as some feed additives, novel protein products, premixtures and compound feeds containing them. Brewer’s yeast as a straight feed material is not in those groups. Maximum levels for undesirable substances, such as aflatoxin B1 at 0.02 mg/kg and lead at 10 mg/kg in feed materials, remain in GB law.

Duty and proof of origin under the UKVFTA

Dried inactive brewer’s yeast is classified under commodity code 2102 20 19 00. To claim UKVFTA preference, a consignment above EUR 6,000 needs a certificate of origin form EUR.1 issued in Vietnam; smaller consignments can use the exporter’s own origin statement. Confirm the applicable rate in the UK Trade Tariff on the date of import.

Documents we send for supplier approval

Product specification sheet with the 12.1.5 description
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Certificate of Analysis with every shipment, declaring moisture and crude protein
EUR.1 certificate of origin for each qualifying shipment
ISO 22000:2018 certificate
Process description and raw material origin: fresh brewer’s yeast from leading international breweries in Vietnam, drum-dried at our own facilities
Free 1–2 kg sample for your laboratory and formulation trials

See the full figures on our specifications page and the safety limits pet food buyers apply in safety specs for brewer’s yeast in pet food. Shipping to the EU or the US instead? Read importing brewer’s yeast into the EU or importing brewer’s yeast into the USA.

Importing into Australia? Read importing brewer’s yeast into Australia.

From first contact to first container

Specification review against your formulation targets and label declarations.
Sample: 1–2 kg free of charge; you cover courier cost, which we credit against your first contract.
Supplier approval: we complete your questionnaire and send the documents above.
Trial order to confirm handling, labelling, customs clearance and the UKVFTA claim.
Contract supply in 25 kg bags or jumbo bags of 600–1,200 kg, on an agreed shipping schedule.

Frequently asked questions

What is the GB feed material entry for brewer’s yeast?

Brewer’s yeast is entry 12.1.5, “Yeasts [brewers’ yeast]”, in the Catalogue of feed materials retained in GB law (Regulation (EU) No 68/2013 as it applies in Great Britain).

Is brewer’s yeast from Vietnam a high-risk feed in Great Britain?

No. As amended from 1 January 2026, the GB list of high-risk food and feed not of animal origin has no brewer’s yeast entry for Vietnam, so IPAFFS pre-notification and border control post checks under that regime do not apply. Check the list before each season, as it is reviewed regularly.

Does a UK importer need a GB representative for brewer’s yeast?

The GB representative requirement covers certain feed additives, novel protein products, premixtures and compound feeds containing them. A straight feed material such as brewer’s yeast is not in those groups. The importer must still be registered as a feed business with its local authority.

Which origin document do I need for UKVFTA preference?

A certificate of origin form EUR.1 issued in Vietnam for consignments above EUR 6,000. Smaller consignments can use the exporter’s own origin statement. Check the duty for commodity code 2102 20 19 00 in the UK Trade Tariff on the date of import.

Can I get a sample before supplier approval?

Yes. We send 1–2 kg free of charge; you cover the courier cost, which we credit against your first contract.

Importing Brewer’s Yeast into the UK: Feed Material 12.1.5, Border Checks and UKVFTA