ePhyto imports and exports to and from GB
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 for both imports and exports between countries. ePhyto is not about the secure exchange of documents such as PDFs or Word documents but rather the secure exchange of information.
What are the benefits of ePhyto:
- Globally harmonized approach for electronic phytosanitary certification (ePhyto) in accordance with an adopted International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 12 Phytosanitary Certificates;
- Reduced potential for fraudulent certificates;
- Reduced data entry and validation activities by national plant protection organizations (NPPO) improving efficiencies;
- Improved security in the transmission of certificates when compared with paper certificates;
- Reduced delays in receiving replacement phytosanitary certificates when required;
- Use of existing systems in facilitating electronic certification reduces development costs;
NOTE: the use of ePhyto has to be agreed bilateral between trading partners. It is likely that both electronic and paper phytos will be used for the foreseeable future as countries come on board with ePhyto.
Who makes up the GB ePhyto phytosanitary system
- Defra - As the National Plant Protection Organisation for the UK
- APHA - who monitor, survey and implement controls for England and Wales for plants and plant products
- SASA - who monitor survey and implement controls for Scotland for plants and plant product
- AFBI - Who monitor, survey and implement controls for Northern Ireland
- Forestry Commission who monitor survey and implement controls for wood and wood products in the UK.
Import ePhyto
- 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 (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 is able to view the ePhyto by selecting ‘View Details’ and scrolling down to ‘Accompanying Documents’
How to use ePhyto in IPAFFS (recording)
IPAFFS is currently only used by APHA and SASA, so therefore GB is currently unable to exchange ePhyto for wood and wood products.
Which countries can exchange ePhytos for imports into GB?
We are currently exchanging ePhytos with the green and blue countries on the map for most plants and plant products. Your exporting country should be able to confirm whether paper-based certificate are still required for certain plants and plant products such as bouquets of flowers.
Exports from these countries use TracesNT and are enabled to exchange ePhyto for imports into GB: France, Portugal, Netherlands, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Czechia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.
Exports from these countries do not use TracesNT are due to have ePhyto rolled out in 2025: Republic of Ireland, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and Denmark.
Who can’t use ePhyto for imports into GB?
- Importers importing from countries that are not currently listed as being able to exchange ePhytos with GB.
- Importers importing goods that the exporting country does not issue ePhytos for. Countries currently exchanging ePhytos can be found on the IPPC website.
- Traders and Agents importing Wood products into England, Wales or Scotland that need to be notified via the Forestry Commission. For further information on how to pre-notify the Forestry Commission please visit gov.uk
Export ePhyto
- To use ePhyto, you need to be logged in to your Plant Health Export Service (PHES) account and raised the relevant export application
- If a country is enabled that allows GB to exchange an ePhyto you will be given several prompts during the export application process on how to proceed.
Who can't use ePhyto for exports from GB
- Currently only APHA can use ePhyto for exports from GB as no other delivery body has been integrated into PHES. This means export phytosanitary certificates issued by SASA and the Forestry Commission will have to remain paper-based.
Which countries does GB currently exchange export ePhytos with?
- Only Northern Ireland and only in plants and plant products an other objects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Import
Where can I find it my ePhyto?
You can find this functionality at the top of your IPAFFS dashboard under 'clone this certificate.'
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.
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.
Will ePhyto be used for Exports?
We have developed ePhyto for exports, beginning with Northern Ireland.
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.
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.
Do we still need to attach a copy of the invoice and customs declaration in our IPAFFS entry?
Yes, as this helps to corroborate 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.
What happens with growers in my exporting European country that refuse to use ePhyto?
They will continue to use paper Phytosanitary Certificates.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I'm having issues retrieving my ePhyto from IPAFFS, what should I do?
To retrieve an ePhyto you need to:
- From your dashboard, click ‘Clone a Certificate’.
- Select ‘Plants, plant products and other objects’ and click ‘Continue’.
- Select the country of origin of the ePhyto from the dropdown.
- Enter the certificate reference number. (the reference number must be an exact match and contain spaces where they are required or ‘/’ if denoted in the serial number
- Enter the certificate date of issue (the date issued as denoted by the exporting competent authority on ePhyto).
- Enter the consignor, consignee or importer name, then click ‘’Search’.
- Please note that this must be an exact match to the details on the ePhyto – please check spellings, abbreviations etc. For example, is the organisation name J P Plants or JP Plants or J.P. Plants? Does the organisation name include Ltd. or LTD. or Limited or Ltd or LTD?
- If located, you will see a message stating cloning is not available. Click ‘Create a new notification with attachment’. Continue with adding the notification details as for section 2. You will see that the ePhyto has been attached to the notification.
- If the ePhyto has not been located, click ‘Search again’ then ‘Continue’ to re-enter the details - check the details you are entering are an exact match to those on the ePhyto – entering for example JP Plants Ltd as the Importer (when the Importer on the ePhyto is J P Plants Limited) will fail to locate your ePhyto.
- If cloning does not locate your ePhyto, it does not stop you creating a new IPAFFS notification, click ‘Create a new notification’ and continue as for step 2, you can then attach a copy of your ePhyto as supporting document.
Will you be rolling out import and export ePhyto to other countries?
Yes, we intend to roll out ePhyto for both imports and exports to additional counties over time. The pace and scope of the expansion will depend on several factors such as strategic priorities and the availability of necessary support.
Exports
What is ePhyto for movements to Northern Ireland?
ePhyto is a new technology that transitions paper Phytosanitary Certificates, and all the information on them into electronic equivalents. ePhytos are replacing paper Phytosanitary Certificates for movements from England & Wales to Northern Ireland.
Why does this not apply to goods moving from Scotland to Northern Ireland?
Currently, Scotland does not have access to the export system PHES. Please see this page for additional information: Exporting - mygov.scot
When was it introduced?
ePhyto for movements to Northern Ireland was rolled out from January 2025.
How does it work?
The end-to-end process is outlined in the below image:
What do I need to send my importer/importing agent in Northern Ireland?
You will get automatic updates on the progress of your ePhyto application via email. You will need to send your importer/importing agent the Phytosanitary Certificate number, and the date of issuance. These can be found by clicking the relevant APHA reference link on your ‘Your Applications’ page on PHES.
Please note that your ePhyto must have the ‘ePhyto received’ status before these details appear.
Where can I find my ePhyto?
You will be able to access a copy of your ePhyto application from your ‘Your Applications’ page on PHES and then clicking the green ‘view copy’ button. This is a copy and not for official use.
Please note that your ePhyto must have the ‘ePhyto received’ status before the copy appears.
Where can I find guidance on using ePhyto?
You can find written guidance on how to apply for an ePhyto on the PHES homepage under the link 'Apply for a PC - all commodities to Northern Ireland - ePhyto'.
Will ePhyto cost me more money?
No, regular fees and charges still apply.
Can I still move my goods using the Northern Ireland Plant Health Labelling (NIPHL) scheme?
Yes. The NIPHL scheme provides growers and traders the option to move plant products and other goods from GB to NI without requiring a Phytosanitary Certificate. You will need to apply for an ePhyto or use NIPHL, you do not need to do both. Please refer to this page for additional guidance: The Northern Ireland Plant Health Label - UK Plant Health Information Portal
What about postal exports?
Postal exports to Northern Ireland require a paper Phytosanitary Certificate or a printed copy of the ePhyto to be attached to the outside of the package.
When else will paper Phytosanitary Certificates still be issued?
A paper Phytosanitary Certificate will still be issued If your goods are transiting through the Republic of Ireland, or if they have undergone chemical treatment via pesticides or fungicides.
In some instances, technical problems may delay an ePhyto being received by Northern Ireland. If this delay elapses five hours, the ePhyto will be issued as a paper Phytosanitary Certificate instead. You will receive an automatic email explaining this, and you can expect a scanned copy to be emailed to you and a paper copy to be sent to you by post.
How can I track my ePhyto's progress?
You will get automatic emails when your ePhyto is received by Northern Ireland, and if there are any technical problems resulting in delays. You can also see the status of your application by logging onto PHES.
Can I opt out of automatic updates?
Yes, this can be done by clicking on the ‘Manage Account’ link at the top of the ‘Your Applications’ page on PHES.
Will a copy of the original Phytosanitary Certificate still need to be printed and sent to the Daera offices?
No, you won't need to print them out and send them to the Daera offices. The original phytosanitary certificate, which is now the electronic version, will have been sent directly to Daera.
What should I do for postal exports that are covered by ePhytos?
For postal exports an ePhyto is still issued, but users should still print and attach a copy of the ePhyto securely to the outer packaging, this will aid inspectors in Northern Ireland in identifying the consignment.
Can I use ePhyto for private exports to Northern Ireland?
No, currently this journey is not available on PHES for exports. You will be required to complete an application on eDomero for this type of export, where a paper-based certificate may be issued on successful completion of any inspections that may be requred. For further information on the process please contact the APHA helpdesk.
Can goods transiting Northern Ireland with a final destination that is not Northern Ireland use ePhyto?
No, for goods transiting Northern Ireland that enter through a Northern Irish BCP or CP, but finish their journey in a country that is not Northern Ireland e.g. Ireland then a ePhyto can not be used, as PHES is currently not configured to issue ePhytos to other countries e.g. Ireland.