Importing Active Yeast into the UK (White Labs or Wyeast)

[Jon474]

Good evening all

Now...I know that Active Yeast has a TARIC (Harmonised Tariff) code of 2102100000, but can I find out if there are any restrictions or licences or duties payable when importing White Labs or Wyeast live yeasts into the UK? No, I can't. Even the man at the RPA hasn't rung me back.

Please can I ask if any UK micros have imported these live yeasts for commercial use and know anything about this one, please? I am only looking at bringing over up to 15 litres of product at a time.

Many thanks in advance

Jon
Rough Draft Brewing Company Limited, Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire

[mic_mac]

Hi Jon,
I know it's not quite the answer to the question you asked, but in a previous brewery, about 10 years ago, we got Brupacks to supply us with a polypin of Wyeast (enough to ferm c100litres, which we scaled up in one jump to 10Hl).

They're not too far from you either, in Cleckheaton - worth a call.
cheers & good luck,
Mike McG
Wirral.

[Jon474]

Thanks Mike

That is a good thought about Brupaks. Thanks for that. I only need enough to either pitch into 6bbl or, as you suggest, enough to step up to that amount. I wonder what their margin is on top of the price? I will ask them today.

I asked the "can I import active yeast?" question of the Food Standards Agency. They were very helpful. Helpful without actually giving me a definitive answer. They have pointed me at a lot of information which I have read through. They have reminded me several times that as the food operator it is my responsibility to make sure I am fully aware of the rules surrounding the import of a "food product, not of animal origin" (actve yeast is a non-POAO, apparently) and to be compliant with the law at all times.

Well, I have read through a lot of documents about the import of food, reasearched UK and EU legislation, I have registered for and searched a database called GRAIL, I have checked prohibited non-POAO lists, aflatoxin lists and lots more besides...do I have an answer?

Maybe.

• I cannot find any requirement for a licence to import Active Yeast.

• It is not a high risk product.

• There are no prohibitions in operation either for yeast or for countries supplying it.

• I cannot see that I need a licence to trade in active yeast - I am not re-selling it.

• It seems to me that it is a process ingredient used in production and as such I cannot be trading in it.

• It might attract import duty though.

I have learned that this all about the individual making the necessary enquiries, performing due diligence and being able to evidence why you made a particular decision rather than a straightforward "ask the question/receive a reply" process.

I will contact the FSA again today and see if they concur with my findings.

So, I have made some progress.

Kind regards
Jon

[Gordvan]

I would suggest contacting white labs and wyeast directly.
I know white labs ships the stuff in 2L nalgene bottles, and they also have a representative in Denmark that they work with.
I am also looking at the same for Latvia, and am considering weather to buy from whitelabs or to have the yeast I need banked locally and grown up as I need it. I will probably do both. Local for my house yeast and white labs for any special yeast needs.

Cheers
Gordon
ALEhouse.lv

[Rosie]

Or you could forget about all that nonsense and call John at Hop and Grape. He gets White Labs tubes in every week and you can build up from there...that's what I do...

Cheers,
Jeff

[BonedaleBeer]

Have you spoken to Dr. Thomas at BrewLab? They can supply you with just about ANY strain imaginable.

+44 (0)191 549 9450

[G-Man]

Or you could forget about all that nonsense and call John at Hop and Grape. He gets White Labs tubes in every week and you can build up from there...that's what I do...

How would you do this? Would you buy say 16 vials and grow them to twice their size in wort for say 820L? Would the wort need to be steralised?

[Rosie]

Sorry, just spotted your reply.

This is my procedure, your mileage may vary:

All of this is done being as clean as possible (sterile if possible):

* (brewday-2) Make 2 x 1.5l wort in Erlymeyers adding 1 tube to each on stir plate for 1 day
* (brewday-1) Take 2 x 20l wort from production brew and add 1 1.5 litre starter to each
* (brewday) Add 2 x 20l of humping starter to 700 litres
* (brewday+1) Rock and roll.

Cheers,
jeff