IPAFFS UK 2026 – How to Register Imports of Animals, Plants and Food

What is IPAFFS?

IPAFFS (Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System) is a government IT system managed by APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) — an agency of DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs). The system acts as a central pre-notification hub for all consignments subject to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls.

Before Brexit, UK importers used the EU's TRACES NT system (Trade Control and Expert System). After 1 January 2021 the UK implemented its own solution — IPAFFS — which took over TRACES functions for imports from outside the EU. Since BTOM Phase 2 (2024), IPAFFS is also mandatory for imports from EU countries.

Why is IPAFFS important for Polish exporters?

Poland is one of the largest food exporters in Europe — meat, dairy products, frozen vegetables, cereals, flowers. A significant portion of these products is exported to the United Kingdom. Every such consignment, since 30 April 2024, requires pre-notification in IPAFFS before leaving Poland/the EU.

Which goods require IPAFFS?

Goods subject to the IPAFFS requirement fall into several categories:

Category 1: Live animals

• cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses,
• poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks),
• companion animals (dogs, cats — require a separate entry under the PETS Travel Scheme),
• bees, silkworms,
• aquarium and zoo animals.

Category 2: Products of animal origin (POAO)

• meat and meat products (cold cuts, preserves),
• milk and dairy products (cheese, butter, yoghurt),
• eggs and egg products,
• honey and bee products,
• fish and seafood,
• gelatine and collagen,
• animal fats.

Category 3: Plants and plant products (PHC)

• live plants, seedlings, tubers,
• fruit and vegetables (phytosanitary certificate required),
• cereals and seeds,
• cut flowers,
• timber and wood-based materials (depending on species and processing).

Category 4: High-risk food and feed not of animal origin (HRFNAO)

• food from countries subject to enhanced controls (DEFRA list),
• animal feed from certain countries,
• dietary supplements and nutraceuticals (depending on composition).

How IPAFFS works — step-by-step procedure

Step 1: Register in the IPAFFS system

Importing through IPAFFS requires a GOV.UK account and an active GB EORI number. Registration in IPAFFS is free and takes a few minutes. You can delegate access to an agent (customs broker) who submits notifications on the importer's behalf.

Step 2: Submit the IPAFFS notification (CHED)

Before dispatching goods from Poland the importer (or their agent) must submit a CHED (Common Health Entry Document) in the IPAFFS system. There are three types of CHED:

Step 3: Health certificates required for IPAFFS

Each CHED notification must be supported by a health certificate issued by the competent authority in the country of dispatch. For exports from Poland:

• Animal products: Veterinary Certificate issued by the Veterinary Inspection Service (District Veterinary Officer).
• Plants and plant products: Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the State Plant Health and Seed Inspection Service (PIORiN).
• Processed food: Health Certificate issued by the Sanitary Inspection Service (SANEPID) or the competent authority.

Certificates must be issued in accordance with the templates accepted by DEFRA/APHA — these are available in the IPAFFS database under a reference number for each country and goods category.

Step 4: BCP (Border Control Post) inspection

Upon arrival in the UK, goods are directed to a BCP (Border Control Post) — a designated border inspection point for SPS goods. BCPs operating in the UK include:

• Dover Cargo — for lorries crossing the English Channel (animal products, plants),
• Folkestone (Eurotunnel) — for vehicles using the tunnel,
• Felixstowe, Southampton, Tilbury — for sea containers,
• Heathrow — for air freight imports,
• Belfast and Larne — for Northern Ireland.

At the BCP an APHA inspector verifies the CHED from IPAFFS, checks the certificates and may order:

• Documentary check — verification of paperwork (100% of SPS consignments),
• Identity check — checking the goods match the documents (50% of consignments),
• Physical check — visual inspection, sample taking (1–30% depending on risk category).

Costs associated with IPAFFS and SPS checks

The UK's introduction of full SPS checks from 2024 means new charges for importers. DEFRA introduced a Common User Charge (CUC) — a fee for each SPS notification verified at a BCP:

• Animal products: from £10 to £29 per CHED-P/D,
• Plants and plant products: from £1 to £10 per CHED-PP.

On top of this comes the import clearance cost at Easy Clearance: from £45 to £150. Indicative price range — exact quote after documents are submitted. The cost of health certificates (issued in Poland) depends on the issuing authority and the type of goods.

Common IPAFFS mistakes

1. Late notification — submitting the CHED after the lorry has left Poland, without a buffer for corrections.
2. Data discrepancy — differences between the CHED, veterinary certificate and commercial invoice (e.g. different weight, different batch).
3. Expired certificates — a certificate issued more than 10 days before arrival at a BCP may be rejected.
4. Missing notification for mixed consignments — a consignment containing both SPS and non-SPS goods requires IPAFFS for the entire shipment.
5. Wrong BCP — specifying the wrong inspection point on the CHED causes the consignment to be redirected.

Related articles

• BTOM Phase 5 — UK border controls 2026
• UK import checklist — clearance documents