Ashford Port Health Authority rolls out AI-powered compliance checks at UK border control
Ashford Borough Council has introduced a next-generation AI compliance and document verification system at the Ashford Port Health Authority, automating the initial stage of import checks at the Sevington Border Control Post to streamline food and regulated goods entry into the UK.
The Ashford Port Health Authority, operated by Ashford Borough Council at the Sevington Border Control Post in Kent, has deployed an AI-enabled system to support import compliance checks.
This technology uses Intelligent Document Processing to automatically extract, structure and evaluate import documentation for agricultural products and other regulated goods, reducing the need for manual review in early screening stages.
Officials describe the system as the first of its kind in the UK to fully automate initial documentary compliance checks for imported goods, including products of animal origin (POAO), high-risk food not of animal origin (HRFNAO) and other regulated consignments.
By mimicking the workflows of human officers, it helps improve productivity, consistency and speed of border controls while allowing staff to focus on frontline services.
The rollout also allows Ashford Borough Council to freeze official control charges for the 2026/27 financial year, as automation gains offset cost pressures. The council emphasises that the AI system augments rather than replaces expert oversight, strengthening compliance without sacrificing professional judgement.
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