1. If you haven't already, register for IPAFFS (Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System) online on GOV UK. The person or business completing the CHED (Common Health Entry Documents) Part 1 import notification must have a UK address to register for IPAFFS.  
2. Know your risk category – use the online guidance to find the risk category of your commodity.     
3. Ensure that your EU supply chain provides health certificates and/or phytosanitary certificates.     
4. Consider using a digitally signed and verifiable GB export health certificate (EHC) in place of the paper version of the certificate for live animals and POAO (Products of Animal Origin) imports from EU and EFTA countries where the PDF health certificate can be electronically verified. DEFRA will accept verifiable PDF certificates from TRACES and other EU/EFTA MS systems listed on GOV UK. You can still use a paper GB health certificate.   

Please be aware that the easement period for sending scanned copies of health certificates ended on 31st July 2024.  

If you or your agent uploads and attaches a scanned copy of a paper health certificate to the Common Health Entry Document (CHED) on IPAFFS and submits it, you will be required to present the original paper certificate to the Port Health Authority (PHA) or local authority (LA) at the Border Control Post (BCP) in advance of the consignment’s arrival into GB, or upon the consignment’s arrival in GB if advised to do so by the PHA/LA.   

Please note: if the original paper certificate is not available for checks on entry into GB, the consignment may be held until the original paper certificate is provided to the PHA/LA at the BCP.  You are strongly encouraged to use verifiable PDF health certificates to avoid unnecessary administrative burdens and allow for a smoother flow through the BCP.  

 5. Correctly submit your import notification in IPAFFS:    

• Watch the webinar recording for Importing HRFNAO via the EU to GB: the new CHED Part 1 notification.     
• Watch the webinar recording for Importing animal products from the EU to GB: New CHED Part 1 notification.       
• Read the guidance on Import Notifications.      
• Practice making CHED import notifications in the IPAFFS training environment.   

6. Remind your freight forwarder or Customs agent to double-check that the correct CHED import notification reference is in   the correct format, that the correct doc code has been entered in the Customs declaration for your consignments of EU goods     and that commodity codes and net weights are also included in the declaration. This will be important from the 30th of April, when goods arrive through ports with a designated BCP.    

Defra Resources to help you comply      

Defra’s detailed guidance has been updated with information on how to comply with your new legal responsibilities for:        

• importing live animals and animal products to Great Britain        
• importing plants and plant products from the EU to Great Britain        
• importing plants and plant products from non-EU countries to Great Britain       
• You can read  Leaflets to help businesses prepare for a new approach to importing goods to GB under the BTOM.  
• YouTube channel to re-watch DEFRA webinars     

DEFRA Contact points for urgent border target operating model (BTOM) queries     

Any urgent BTOM import queries for plants and plant products across England and Wales should be directed to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) by email, in the first instance: phsi-importers@apha.gov.uk  

Alternatively, you can contact them by telephone: +44 (0) 3000 200 301       

Any urgent BTOM/import queries for animal products should be directed to the Port Health Authority (PHA) at your nominated Border Control Post (BCP). Find your PHA contact details at your nominated BCP on this map.       

If you need technical help with IPAFFS, call the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) helpline on 0330 041 6999 or email APHAServiceDesk@apha.gov.uk.  

If you are interested in exploring this topic further, you might find it worthwhile to consider the training courses and live clinics offered by Strong & Herd LLP: