Updated 07/06/24

What is ePhyto?   

• ePhyto, officially the ‘IPPC ePhyto Solution’ is a tool that transitions the information on a paper Phytosanitary Certificate into an electronic Phytosanitary Certificate. This allows for the secure exchange of ePhytos between countries that you can attach to your prenotification on IPAFFS. 
• To use ePhyto, you need to be logged in to your IPAFFS account and select green the ‘Clone a Certificate’ button at the top of your dashboard. We have detailed video and written guidance (can be found on page 4 - under 'clone a certificate') available on how to use ePhyto on IPAFFS. 
• On IPAFFS, the Trader or Agent responsible for the pre-notification will be able to view the ePhyto be selecting ‘View Details’ and scrolling down to ‘Accompanying Documents’

Who can use ePhyto?   

• Importers importing most plants and plant products from Europe into GB. We are currently exchanging ePhytos with the green countries on the map. For most plants and plant products, your exporting country should be able to confirm where paper-based certificate are still required.

Exports from these countries are enabled to exchange ePhyto with for import into GB: France, Portugal, Netherlands, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia and Latvia.

Who can’t use ePhyto?   

• Importers importing from countries we are not currently exchanging ePhytos with (see non-green countries on map
• Importers importing goods that the exporting country does not issue ePhytos for.
• Traders and Agents exporting or re-exporting Plants and Plant products from GB.
• Traders and Agents importing Wood products into England, Wales or Scotland that need to be notified via the Forestry Commission.

Benefits of ePhyto  

• IPAFFS standardises the different formats of physical phytosanitary certificates into a single, readable version.
• If you attach the ePhyto to your IPAFFS prenotification, you are not required to print, sign, scan or post the physical copy to APHA. 
• ePhyto is faster, exporters receive their Phytosanitary certificates quicker, so goods can be moved sooner. Any reissue is also immediate, as the need for postage is removed.
• ePhyto is safer, as it reduces the possibility of fraud and eliminates the risk of damage associated with paper Phytosanitary Certificates.
• ePhyto is more sustainable because it results in less produce waste and the removal of paper certificates/ 
• ePhyto will bring cloning benefits, where information from the ePhyto can be copied into an IPAFFS prenotification.  We continue to work with exporting countries to harmonise the information provided.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

1. What is ePhyto?

ePhyto, officially the 'IPPC ephyto Solution' is a tool that transitions paper Phytosanitary Certificate Information into an electronic Phytosanitary Certificate, or an 'ePhyto'. 

This allows for the secure exchange of ePhytos between countries, and lets you attach the ePhyto to your pre-notifications on IPAFFS. Cloning capability is still being tested and developed. 

ePhyto will be used for all imports of high & medium risk plants & plant products into GB. We have rolled out the service to importers importing from most European countries. Even if your ePhyto can not be cloned, it can still be retrieved and used in your import notification.

2. Where can I find it?

You can find this functionality at the top of your IPAFFS dashboard under 'clone this certificate.' 

3. Will ePhyto provide a cloning solution?

Yes. We will provide further communications as cloning is iteratively developed with trading partners.

ePhyto will bring cloning benefits where information from the ePhyto can be copied into a CHED PP pre-notification to allow for assisted pre-notification. 

4. What are the benefits of ePhyto?

ePhyto is safer, reducing the possibility of fraud and eliminating the risk of damage associated with paper Phytosanitary Certificates (PC). 

ePhyto is also faster, as exporters will receive their PCs quicker, allowing for goods to be moved sooner.  

ePhyto is more sustainable, resulting in less produce waste, and the removal of paper PCs. 

5. Will ePhyto be used for Exports?

We are developing ePhyto for exports, beginning with Northern Ireland as part of a public beta during 2024.  On success of this project with Northern Ireland, we will roll out ePhyto for exports to countries that align with our roll-out criteria. 

6. Will a copy of the original Phytosanitary Certificate still need to be printed and sent to the APHA offices?

No, you won't need to print them out and send them to the APHA offices.  The original Phytosanitary Certificate, which is now the electronic version, will have been sent directly to APHA. 

7. Will Plant Health Inspectors still request to see the ePhyto document?

Yes, you will not be able to pre-notify on IPAFFS unless you provide a Phytosanitary Certificate.  It is a legal requirement. 

8. Do we still need to attach a copy of the invoice and customs declaration in our IPAFFS entry?

Yes, as helps to corrobroate the information you have provided on IPAFFS. Your IPAFFS entry remains the same.  The only thing that is carried across as an attachment is the Phytosanitary Certificate. 

9. What happens with growers in my exporting European country that refuse to use ePhyto?

They will continue to use paper Phytosanitary Certificates. 

10. Where do we find the ePhyto reference number?

This is the unique Phytosanitary Certificate number. It is provided to you by the exporter and found on the Export ePhyto. 

11. Will joint Phyto/CITES certificate be on this system?

Phytosanitary certificates can have a CITES statement in lieu of an export CITES permit.  We are currently reviewing the process with UKBF to ensure that checks can still be undertaken.  However, applications for plants and products (CHED PP) will be separate to any import notifications required for CITIES controlled goods. 

12. We currently send the Phytosanitary Certificate to APHA, is this now automated?

This will not be required for any consignment that has an ePhyto issued for it, because that ePhyto is sent directly to APHA.  If you receive paper-based Phytosanitary Certificates (PC), you will still be required to send the original PC to APHA. 

13. Does the ePhyto come automatically to us as the importer, or does our supplier have to email us the certificate number? 

The ePhyto reference number can be supplied to you by the exporter. This will enable you to retrieve the ePhyto from IPAFFS.