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BCP and CP Overview

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Border Control Posts and Control Points 

Border Control Posts 

A Border Control Post (BCP) is a border inspection facility located at a first point of entry for the arrival of goods.

Control Points 

Control Points (CPs) are inland inspection facilities where SPS checks of plants and plant products can take place under customs supervision. CPs have the same function as a BCP, providing the first line of control in maintaining UK biosecurity. 

BCP and CP designation process:

  1. Applicant submits Expression of Interest (EoI) and supporting information. 
  2. An assessment panel reviews the application and decides whether to accept or reject it. 
  3. If accepted by the panel, the relevant competent authorities will allocate an Inspector to progress the application, who will provide advice about complying with BCP and CP minimum requirements. 
  4. The applicant submits building plans for review. Where the facility already exists, the applicant may be required to make structural changes in order to comply with BCP and CP minimum requirements.
  5. Once building plans have been favourably assessed by APHA and Defra, construction can start. 
  6. When the facility is built, or structural changes have been made, APHA audit the site. 
  7. There’s then a final review of application and the designation decision is made. 
  8. Applicant notified, IT systems are updated, and BCP/CP are listed online. 

BCPs are located at first points of entry which must hold a customs border location approval and CP premises must be customs authorised as a temporary storage facility. This approval is managed by Border Force National Frontier Approvals Unit (NFAU) and runs parallel and independently from the Defra designation process. Prospective applicants are advised to familiarise themselves with the process and conditions for customs authorisation and contact NFAU directly with any queries.

For BCP/CP operators: apply the large loads derogation at your site

In October 2024, Defra consulted stakeholders on measures to introduce a derogation from the OCR minimum designation requirements for large plants and plant products and other large objects. This can be found on the news page.

The derogation measures have been included in the Official Controls (Plant Health) and Phytosanitary Conditions (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (the Regulations). 

The derogation responds to operational and logistical challenges at Border Control Posts and Control Points by enabling certain large commodities to be unloaded and inspected in outside areas at these facilities, subject to certain requirements. This exempts such goods from the OCR requirement for unloading and inspection under cover of a roof. 

The scope of the derogation is limited to large plants and plant products and other large objects that, due to their size, is difficult to be transported into or unloaded in an area covered with a roof because this requires unloading equipment that cannot be operated or moved into a building (such as used agricultural and forestry machinery). For large and mature trees, these must have a root ball (bare, wrapped or containerised), a girth greater than 8cm and an indicative height greater than 2.5m. 

The derogation responds to operational and logistical challenges at Border Control Posts and Control Points by enabling certain large commodities to be unloaded and inspected in outside areas at these facilities, subject to certain requirements. This exempts such goods from the OCR requirement for unloading and inspection under cover of a roof. 
 
The scope of the derogation is limited to large plants and plant products and other large objects that, due to their size, is difficult to be transported into or unloaded in an area covered with a roof because this requires unloading equipment that cannot be operated or moved into a building (such as used agricultural and forestry machinery). For large and mature trees, these must have a root ball (bare, wrapped, or containerised), a girth greater than 8cm and an indicative height greater than 2.5m. 
 
How do I apply to for the derogation at my BCP/CP?
Sites may only handle commodities for which they are designated. This means that any designated facilities intending to continue handling such large commodities must either: 
 
  1. comply with the existing minimum requirement for unloading and inspection under cover of a roof; or  
  1. apply the derogation in accordance with the requirements under the Regulations. 
 
Expressions of interest to apply the derogation, including designation of new BCP/CP sites or existing BCP/CP site modifications, may be made via the usual BCP/CP designation process (see guidance and enquiry details on GOV.UK)  and CP designation process (see CP Guidance - UK Plant Health Information Portal). APHA officials may also discuss this with site operators as part of non-conformance issues identified through the audit and verification process.  
 
Any queries regarding the derogation or BCP designation more generally may be sent through to the relevant authority’s mailbox (DEFRA-OCR@defra.gov.uk in England or Wales, BCPScotland@gov.scot in Scotland). 
 
What requirements do I need to meet to be able unload large loads outside the BCP/CP?
Designated facilities must meet certain requirements for outside unloading and inspection areas to apply the derogation. These include sufficient space for vehicles and equipment to operate within the unloading area; walls or solid fencing; a physical separation between moving vehicles and the inspection area; an impermeable ground surface; and overhead cover from precipitation in the inspection area. 
 
To ensure ongoing compliance, site operators should familiarise themselves with the derogation measures included in the regulations as well as the OCR minimum designation requirements. There may be some flexibility around site adaptations required to apply the derogation; however, the costs of adaptation must be met by operators.