Background/Aims: (+)-Catechin and (–)-epicatechin are considered as disease preventive flavan-3-ols of foods like fruits, beverages and chocolate. We investigated mechanisms and kinetics of (+)-catechin and (–)-epicatechin uptake employing a validated in vitro model with isolated pig brush border membrane vesicles. Methods: Vesicles were isolated from pig small intestine employing the divalent cation method. Characterization (marker enzymes, electron microscopy) confirmed their purity and function. Transport studies with (+)-catechin and (–)-epicatechin under predefined conditions [presence/absence of sodium, pH gradient, temperature (8–37°C), various initial substrate concentrations (2–20 mmol/l)] revealed a measurable transport (HPLC analyses) across the brush border membrane for both substrates. Re sults: Catechin transport was stimulated by an outwardly directed H⁺ gradient (pH_i 5.5/pH_o 7.5). The presence of an inwardly directed Na⁺ gradient did not result in a transient overshoot in (+)-catechin and (–)-epicatechin uptake. At 37°C, subtraction of diffusion from the total transport rate showed saturation kinetics. Conclusion: Our in vitro study indicate that both (+)-catechin and (–)-epicatechin are transported across the basolateral membrane using a dual transport system consisting of free diffusion (dominant at low concentrations) and carrier-mediated facilitated diffusion.