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How to Locate Commodity Codes

Last updated on: 10 March 2025

  1. Home
  2. Trade
  3. Imports
  4. Imports into GB
  5. Import IT Systems
  6. IPAFFS
  7. How to Locate Commodity Codes

IPAFFS - How to locate commodity codes

If you are having trouble locating the correct commodity code within the tree in the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS), please download the excel spreadsheet (link below) and search for your commodity using the first tab named 'Search here'.

Click to download the reference data spreadsheet

If you are unable to locate your commodity code, we suggest you use the Trade Tariff and EPPO websites to search for the commodity code.

Links to videos on how to carry out the following can be found below:

There are 3 ways to use the commodity code tree in IPAFFS.
You can search the tree on it's own, or you can narrow down your search by entering information relating to the Genus & Species or Commodity Code of the commodity you are trying to add to your pre-notification.

Please refer to our training video between minutes 9:45 and 11:45 for an overview of this process.

  • You can locate commodity codes by using the Trade Tariff website: IPAFFS Locating a commodity code You can search by the English or Latin name for the commodity and the site will present you with all related commodity codes in numerical order. 

If you are still unable to locate your code in IPAFFS - please send an email with the subject 'IPAFFS – missing commodity code' stating:

  • the name of the commodity
  • genus and species
  • any other relevant supporting information e.g., if you have found a suitable code on the Trade Tariff website that reflects the commodity.
  • confirm you have used the tools on this webpage and still cannot find the codes The email address to send this information to is: Phsi-importers@apha.gov.uk

On receipt of your email, the team will raise a request on your behalf. Once the code has been added to IPAFFS and is available for you to select; you will receive an email.

You can also call APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) - details can be found on this webpage under 'Plant and seed imports'.