ePhyto imports and exports to and from GB
What is ePhyto?
ePhyto, officially the ‘IPPC ePhyto Solution’ is the secure digital exchange of information which would normally be included on a paper phytosanitary certificate. It is not the exchange of digital certificates (e.g. PDFs).
A bilateral agreement is needed between the NPPOs of an importing and exporting country before ePhyto can be used.
Further details can be found at IPPC ePhyto Solution.
ePhyto for imports
- 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 below) 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)
Which countries can exchange ePhytos for imports into GB?
Only the following countries can export to GB using the IPPC ePhyto solution:
- Austria
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxemburg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
The following commodities can only be imported with paper phytosanitary certificates, even from the countries lists above:
- Wood and wood products
- Bouquets of flowers
- Packets of seed containing more than 1 genera, e.g. wildflower seed packets.
Exports from countries not listed must continue to be accompanied by paper Phytosanitary Certificates.
Export ePhyto
- Use of the ePhyto solution for exports from GB is restricted to movements to Northern Ireland of goods which cannot move with a Northern Ireland Plant Health Label or via the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme.
ePhyto cannot be used for the movement of the following commodities from GB to Northern Ireland:
- Wood and wood products
- Bouquets of flowers
- Packets of seed containing more than 1 genera, e.g. wildflower seed packets.
- To use ePhyto, you need to be logged in to your Plant Health Export Service (PHES) account and raised the relevant export application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What commodities can ePhyto be used for?
Plants and plant products except for:
- Wood and wood products
- Bouquets of flowers
- Packets of seed containing more than 1 genera, e.g. wildflower seed packets.
Import
Where can I find my ‘ePhyto’?
You can find this functionality at the top of your IPAFFS dashboard under 'clone this certificate.'
Will ePhyto be used for Exports?
The use of ePhyto for exports is restricted to certain commodities moving to Northern Ireland.
Will a download of my ePhyto dataneed to be sent to an APHA office?
No, you won't need to send anything to an APHA office.
Will Plant Health Inspectors still request to see my ePhyto data?
No, but the Phytosanitary Certificate number will be needed to pre-notify on IPAFFS.
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.
Where do we find the ePhyto reference number?
This is the unique Phytosanitary Certificate number. It is provided to you by the exporter and can found in the ePhyto data.
I'm having issues retrieving my ePhyto data from IPAFFS, what should I do?
To retrieve the data 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.
Exports
Can the ePhyto solution be used for exports
- Use of the ePhyto solution for exports from GB is restricted to movements to Northern Ireland of goods which cannot move with a Northern Ireland Plant Health Label or via the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme.
ePhyto cannot be used for the movement of the following commodities from GB to Northern Ireland:
- Wood and wood products
- Bouquets of flowers
- Packets of seed containing more than 1 genera, e.g. wildflower seed packets.
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 must not be used for official purposes.
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 onon 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. 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 data to be attached to the outside of the package. Please note the copy as obtained from PHES is not an official document but will aid the inspectors in Northern Ireland in identifying the consignment.
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 exceeds five hours, you will be issued with 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 downloaded ePhyto Phytosanitary Certificate data 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.
Can I use ePhyto for private exports to Northern Ireland?
No, instead you will need to complete an application on eDomero for this type of export. 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, 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 must be accompanied by a paper phytosanitary certificate.