Original document : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-of-products-animals-food-and-feed-system
Change description : 2020-06-29 12:03:00: Removed “If your notification is shown as 'in progress' you'll need to call the relevant border control post (BCP) to ask them for access to make your changes” because it only applies to non-EU imports. [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2020-06-29 09:49:23 +00:00..2020-06-29 11:05:44 +00:00
Use IPAFFS to notify authorities that you’re importing animals and germinal products into England, Scotland and Wales.
The Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS) is the notification system for importing animals, animal products, high-risk food and animal feed of non-animal origin.
You must use IPAFFS to notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) about imports from the EU to Great Britain (GB) of live animals and germinal products.
You must continue to use TRACES to notify APHA for imports into the UK from non-EU countries until 1 January 2021.
If you’re importing of live animals and germinal products from the EU to Northern Ireland you must notify the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
You do not have to notify APHA of products of animal origin (POAO) or high risk food and feed not of animal origin (HRFNAO), coming into the UK from the EU unless there’s a safeguard measure in place.
Find out more about moving live animals or animal products as part of EU trade.
You’ll need to create a Government Gateway account for the business or organisation you represent.
If you have a personal Government Gateway account, you should create a new one so your business contact details are linked to it.
If you’re registering on behalf of a business or organisation, you also need the:
If you’re the first person to register on behalf of a business or organisation you automatically become the organisation administrator for that business. You will have the permissions to invite and remove team members. Make sure that you allocate at least one other team member to an organisation administrator role so that you can share the management of the account.
You must submit your notification in IPAFFS between 24 hrs and 30 working days before your consignment is due to arrive.
You can add the rest of the information required at any time before your consignment arrives by updating your notification.
You can update your notification in IPAFFS if you do not have all the details when you first submit it or if something changes.
Removed "If your notification is shown as ‘in progress’ you’ll need to call the relevant border control post (BCP)(BCP) to ask them for access to make your changes.
Added information on how and when to submit and update a notification.
Updated information about IPAFFS and added a link to TRACES New Technology (NT), which must be used from 14 December 2019.
IPAFFS is open for registration.
Revised page to explain more about what IPAFFS is - page will be updated when IPAFFS is open for registration and when any new import processes are confirmed.
Edited call out to make it clearer how TRACES and IPAFFS can be used before and after Brexit.
Added note that IPAFFS is currently for testing and training only. Importers should continue to use TRACES to notify authorities of imports into the UK.
First published.
2024-04-30 00:01
The page has been updated with information about changes to imports in line with the Border Target Operating Model.
2024-01-31 00:15
Removed a section exempting certain products from the Republic of Ireland from import notifications on IPAFFS. From 31 January 2024, import notifications will be required. Added risk level for plants and plant products.
2024-01-05 16:25
A prompt has been added to prepare for new import controls which begin on 31 January 2024.
2023-06-12 12:21
Added a link to guidance on importing plants and plant products from non-EU third countries to Northern Ireland under ‘Check import rules’. Added a link to IPAFFS for plants guidance in the ‘Get help’ section.
2022-04-22 10:28
Added information for import agents acting on behalf of an importer.
2021-12-20 15:41
Updated the section ‘If you need help with your customs declaration’.
2021-12-17 09:56
Added a ‘If you need help with your customs declaration’ section.
2021-12-16 15:47
Updated to include plants and show change in rules from 1 January 2022 for imports from the Republic of Ireland to Great Britain.
2021-09-14 15:24
Updated with new dates for the introduction of controls on imports of products of animal origin, animal by-products and high risk food and feed not of animal origin.
2020-09-30 11:57
Removed the registration guides PDFs – you can now use the service to understand how to register.
2020-09-04 16:39
Explained that you can enrol into IPAFFS if you have registered for another Defra service by signing into your service.
2020-08-27 09:12
The dates agreed with the EU commission for using IPAFFS (7 and 15 September 2020) are no longer valid – TRACES will still be the process to follow.
2020-08-26 09:24
Explained that “from 7 September 2020, you must use IPAFFS to notify authorities of GB imports of products of animal origin (POAO) from non-EU countries.” Clarified processes about importing from EU and non-EU countries.
2020-06-29 16:14
Added registration guides.
2020-06-29 12:03
Removed “If your notification is shown as 'in progress' you'll need to call the relevant border control post (BCP) to ask them for access to make your changes” because it only applies to non-EU imports.
2020-06-29 10:47
Added information on how and when to submit and update a notification.
2019-11-29 12:02
Updated information about IPAFFS and added a link to TRACES New Technology (NT), which must be used from 14 December 2019.
2019-10-02 11:43
IPAFFS is open for registration.
2019-09-16 14:01
Revised page to explain more about what IPAFFS is – page will be updated when IPAFFS is open for registration and when any new import processes are confirmed.
2019-08-23 16:05
Edited call out to make it clearer how TRACES and IPAFFS can be used before and after Brexit.
2019-04-17 11:16
Added note that IPAFFS is currently for testing and training only. Importers should continue to use TRACES to notify authorities of imports into the UK.