FAQ: Place of Destination (PoD)
FAQ on decommissioning Places of Destination (PoDs)
1. What are Places of Destination (PoDs)?
The PoD scheme was designed and put in place as a temporary measure to allow time for traders to adapt to the new phased import regime under the BTOM and until Border Control Post (BCP) infrastructure was fully operable.
PoDs enabled plant health checks to be completed away from the border at an importer’s registered business, provided certain minimum facility requirements could be met.
There have been around 7,000 businesses registered as PoDs in the UK.
2. When will the PoD scheme end?
The PoD scheme will come to an end at midnight (11.59pm) on 29 April 2024, after which checks of high-risk plants and plant products will move to designated BCPs and Control Points (CPs) on 30 April 2024.
From this point, PoDs will be closed and no longer able to be selected for pre-notification or inspection. All medium-risk and high-risk goods imported from the EU must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate (PC), unless subject to the extended easement, and pre-notified on IPAFFS prior to arrival through a designated BCP or CP.
For this reason, no new PoD registrations will be accepted beyond 25 April 2024. The PEACH system will also be closed from 8 April 2024. We encourage all PoD users to be registered on IPAFFS as soon as possible to continue importing goods through BCPs or CPs from 30 April 2024.
3. Why is the PoD scheme ending?
As noted, the PoD scheme was always intended to be a temporary measure to facilitate the EU Exit transition for EU goods. New controls have been phased in over time to give businesses time to adapt their supply chains and import pathways.
While PoDs as an interim measure have enabled traders' flexibility and control over imports received at their premises, they have not achieved the level or quality of inspections desired for strict biosecurity controls under the BTOM. They have also posed challenges for APHA inspector resources to complete checks across the 7,000 PoD sites throughout the UK.
The move to border checks at BCPs and CPs will enable a pragmatic and gradual ramp-up from PoD inspection rates to the proposed BTOM levels and aim to ensure best targeted use of APHA inspector resources.
4. Is there a grace period for PoDs to operate beyond 30 April 2024?
No, all PoDs will be closed as of 30 April 2024. As noted, new PoD registrations will not be accepted beyond 25 April 2024, and it will not be possible on IPAFFS to select a PoD premises for pre-notification and inspection for any date beyond 29 April 2024.
The end to PoDs was signalled well in advance and provided ample time for traders to adjust to the new phased import regime. Importers should ensure that any medium-risk and high-risk plant imports are pre-notified, with as much advance notice as possible, and are routed through a designated BCP or CP.
5. How can I keep checks of my goods away from the border?
Businesses that wish to retain control over their imports may consider becoming designated as a CP to maintain checks away from the border. The designation process will take time depending on your premises’ existing specifications and the level of investment required to meet minimum requirements.
We encourage businesses approaching CP designation to familiarise themselves with the minimum designation requirements, including customs authorisation, and the overall approval process. See here for further guidance on CP designation.
6. Will BCPs and CPs be equipped to handle the nature and/or volume of goods previously checked through PoDs?
BCPs are designed to handle high volumes of imported SPS goods and offer extended opening hours with staff working shifts on site to carry out reliable checks, which minimise friction on traffic flow.
Most BCPs can process six or more vehicles at the same time with ample space to remove or inspect products. Systems are in place to ensure importers are updated on the progress of their consignments through the import control process. The flow of consignments through BCPs is tracked and inspectors will prioritise inspections appropriately. The process of marshalling vehicles into BCP inspection bays is controlled by the commercial operators of those facilities, rather than APHA.
CPs must meet the same minimum designation requirements as BCPs, including customs authorisation.
BCP and CP checks are handled by trained staff working to standard operating procedures, ensuring inspections are undertaken safely and efficiently. APHA’s plant health import inspection process is accredited to the ISO 17020 Inspection Standard, which is subject to external audits from the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS). Inspectors are rigorously trained and are equipped to ensure SPS goods are handled safely and with care.
7. Is the PoD scheme definitely ending?
Yes, the PoD scheme was designed and put in place as a temporary measure for traders to get their high-risk goods from the EU inspected until BCP infrastructure was fully operable.
8. What are the costs of using a BCP?
The majority of BCPs will be owned and run by commercial organisations such as port operators, and user fees will be published before they become operational.
Goods that enter the UK via the Short Straits and are checked through the Government-owned Sevington BCP will be subject to the Common User Charge (CUC). More information on the CUC is available: Common user charge: rates and eligibility - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
9. Will multi-drops still be an option?
No, the use of multi-drops was designed and put in place to offer industry flexibility under the PoD scheme and there will be no multi-drop option at BCPs and CPs.
All goods moving under one PC will need to be presented to the BCP/CP at the same time when selected for inspection.
10. What happens in the event of site failure?
BCP operators are required to have contingency plans as part of their designation. The BCP operator will be responsible for notifying trade of any closure.
In the event of a short-term closure, APHA may hold goods for up to 24 hours and resume checks when possible. APHA may decide to clear goods based on risk and may need to escalate decision-making to DEFRA to clear goods without inspection.
11. What are the BCP/CP working hours? Will they work through the night?
Each BCP will have its own Service Level Agreement including operating hours t that are based on trade levels and demand. These will vary by site and region across England and Wales, and many sites may extend operating hours outside of business hours.
Operating hours have now been published on Gov.uk and the Plant Health Information Portal BCP Operating Hours from April 2024 - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk)