Import Narrative

Narrative Version

Import of Regulated Plants and Plant Products

Updated 17th October 2023

Please note: This document is not legally binding; it is meant purely for information purposes.

Index

Prepare for import

Phytosanitary Certificate (PC)

Prepare for shipping

Arrives in GB

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/importing-and-exporting-plants-and-plant-products-from-1-january-2021

This action is for the exporterand importer

This is a customs requirement.
Every EU business exporting products from the EU will need an EORI

number from a customs authority even if they use a forwarder or a

customs agent for export declarations.

A business can apply for an EORI number from customs authorities

across the EU. The link below will direct you each countries customs

authority:

https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/national-customs-websites_en

You need an EORI number that starts with GB to import products into

More information on EORI
numbers and the link to create an EORI number can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/eori

This action is for the exporter

This guidance also applies to goods imported for commercial purposes (to be sold onwards) by post or courier. Contact your post or courier service to find out if they offer an import service for commercial imports.’ See this page for more information.

Exporters will need to check:

The requirement for a phytosanitary certificate (PC)
All medium and high-risk plants and plant products will need a PC. Phytosanitary Certificates (PCs) for import purposes must have been issued within 13 days either side of the date the consignment leaves the country of export. There is no requirement for a consignment to arrive in GB within 13 days of it leaving the country of export.
Is my plant or plant product prohibited?
Prohibited plant products can be found in Annex 6 of the Plant Health and Phytosanitary Conditions legislation available here:: The Plant Health (Phytosanitary Conditions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk)
There are also plant products that are prohibited pending a submission of a technical dossier from an exporting National Plant Protection Organisation to support the import of a specific trade. Guidance can be found here:
This is summarised here: Prohibited Commodities - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk)
What risk category are my plants and plant products in?
Plants and plant products are classed as either, High, Medium or low risk. A list of the plants and plant products in each category can be found on the Plant Health Portal for EU and non-EU imports here:
EU TOM risk categorisations - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk)
Non-EU: BTOM Risk Categories from Non-EU Countries - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk)
Do my plants and plant products require a PC and pre-notification?
If your plants are medium or high risk then they will require a phytosanitary certificate and pre-notification.
For non-EU plants and products physical checks are currently undertaken at Border Control Posts (BCPs) and Control Points (CPs). For EU plants and plant products physical checks are being introduced as part of the phasing detailed in the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM)I found here: The Border Target Operating Model: August 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This action is for the Exporter

Anyone who exports to GB will need to be registered with the exporting CA. They need to contact their CA. Contact points are available for exporting countries) on the https://www.ippc.int/en/countries/all/list-countries/

This action is for the exporter/importer

Determine the route and Point of Entry into GB. Border Controls Posts (BCPs) and Control Points (CP) that can handle plants and plant products can be found on gov.uk and the Plant Health Portal.
Determine where your plants and plant products will be inspected when they arrive in GB. Will they be imported to a BCP or be inspected at a CP.
If moving to a CP they may have to move under a transit mechanism and require further information to be supplied to HMRC., guidance for which can be found here: Importing goods into the UK using transit - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This step is for the importer

Risk based physical checks will be conducted on all high and medium risk plants and plant products that need to be notified on IPAFFS.
These physical checks will be conducted at BCPs or CPs in accordance with the phasing described in the TOM for EU plants and plant products. Non-EU plants and plant products currently have their checks undertaken at the BCPs or CPs
BCP inspections will occur at the GB border and CP inspections can take place inland. Guidance on CP’s can be found here: CP Guidance - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk)
Both the importer and importer’s agent, if required,, needs to register on the IPAFFS for plant health purposes prior to importing to ensure there are no delays to the consignment.
Registration can be done here: Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
There may be a requirement to also register for plants and plant products subject to marketing requirements meaning that a small sample of GMS and a small sample of SMS fruit and vegetables (whether already notified or not) so it is prudent to have registered on the new plant health IT service as soon as practicable in order to reduce delays.

This action is for the exporter

This will be a different process in exporting countries so the exporter will need to contact the plant health authority in their country.
Phytosanitary certificates are required for exporting any high or medium risk plants or plant products to GB.

These actions are for the exporting Competent Authority

Fees may be different in different exporting countries but processes will be largely the same.
Responsibility on who pays the export fees will be decided by your business arrangements with the exporter.

These actions are for the exporting Competent Authority

This will ensure that the plants and plant products meet GB import’s requirements and where applicable have had the necessary treatments, growing season inspections and freedom from specific pests and diseases.

These actions are for the exporting Competent Authority

As a result of the inspection the PC may not be issued in which case the export cannot occur.
If yes go to next step.

These actions are for the exporter/importer

In lieu of ePhyto High and medium risks plants and plant products, must travel with an original phytosanitary certificate.
A scanned copy should be provided with any pre-notification of import to the GB CA Import notifications on IPAFFS are required within 4 hours of plants and plant products arriving via RoRo and air or 24 hours by all other modes of transport.
the original paper-based PC must be provided to the appropriate plant health authority, within 3 days.
There are current easements in place that allow exporters from EU countries to provide scanned copies of phytosanitary certificates via TRACES NT. In this circumstance the original phytosanitary certificate is not required as scans can be validated on TRACES NT.

In lieu of ePhyto the exporter provides a copy of the PC to the GB importer.
In general, the exporter will share the PC with the GB importer and they will provide it to their Customs Agent.

What to do when you get to the Border (GB)

Import Controls

Import Checks:

Plant products are categorised by risk and can be identified as low, medium, and high risk. Risk levels associated with plant commodities are based upon the potential pest/diseases plant products might harbour. High risk plant products have the potential to harbour destructive pests/diseases that can have an acute impact on British agriculture and/or our native natural ecosystems.

All high-risk plants and plant products require a Phytosanitary Certificate and will undergo documentary checks and physical checks.

All medium risk plants and plant products require pre-notification, please refer to the risk categorisation page for pre-notification requirements for medium risk plants and plant products from the EU and non-EU countries.

EU guidance here: Regulated Plants - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk)

Non EN guidance here: BTOM Risk Categories from Non-EU Countries - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk)

Phytosanitary Certificates (PCs) for import purposes must have been issued within 13 days either side of the date the consignment leaves the country of export. There is no requirement for a consignment to arrive in GB within 13 days of it leaving the country of export.

Plants/plant products must be declared to the appropriate delivery body:

Plants and plant products.

For England Wales and Scotland – medium and high risk plants and plant products should be notified on IPAFFS and checks will be undertaken in England and Wales by the Animals Plant Health Agency (APHA) and SASA in Scotland.

Wood and Wood products.

For GB the Forestry Commission should be notified: Import timber, wood products or bark - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

IPAFFS is the plant health and HMI IT system available for use by traders to create their declarations to the competent authority.

Physical checks will be required for high and medium risk plants and plant products and will be performed at BCPs CPs.

The tools below designed to assist traders that are required to pre-notify their plants and plant products in mapping each Customs Declaration Service (CDS) TARIC code to its corresponding Commodity/Variety in IPAFFS.

There may be multiple recommended commodity codes for the same genera/species dependant on the end use for that product.

Link to guides on how to make IPAFFS notifications can be found here:
If using IPAFFS - IPAFFS for Plants Guidance - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk) Most plants and plant products will have a preferred scientific name for import into GB. Some plants may have a synonym which is commonly used or isn't the preferred scientific name. This synonym tool helps you determine if there is an alternative name for your plant.
Find your CN code:

If using IPAFFS: How to Locate Commodity Codes - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk)

Currently consignments can undergo their imports inspections at Point of Destination (POD). This easement is due to end 30 April 2024. Guidance on PoD’s can be found here: BCPs/CPs/PoDs - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk)