Northern Ireland Trade Guidance

Trade with Northern Ireland

From 1 October 2023, commercial movement of the following goods can be moved to Northern Ireland (NI) by attaching a NI plant health label (NIPHL):

  • Plants and seeds for planting (plants and seeds which will be grown on by professional growers or traded for retail sale)
  • Seed potatoes (for commercial growing)
  • Used agricultural and forestry machinery and vehicles

NI plant health label (NIPHL)

The NIPHL scheme is a way for growers and traders in Great Britain (GB) (England, Scotland and Wales) to move these products to NI. Like the UK Plant Passport scheme, the NIPHL scheme makes sure checks for pests and diseases are carried out and goods can be traced. This means growers and traders can move these goods with a NIPHL and without a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC). 

These commodities being moved to NI under NIPHL must stay within NI.  If goods are not destined to remain in NI, or being moved to the Republic of Ireland or other parts of the EU, you must obtain a PC. 

To apply for a PC for used machinery, contact: RPIDplanthealth@gov.scot

For anything else, contact: hort.marketing@gov.scot

Under the Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS). the charge for issuing a PC for goods being moved to NI will be waived by the Scottish Government.  This scheme is due to expire on 30 June 2025. 

Registration and Authorisation for NIPHL

For businesses based in Scotland, you must be registered with Scottish Government to be authorised to attach a NIPHL(s) to these goods. To apply for registration and authorisation, contact: 

For small seeds, marketing requirements still apply. For specific information on this, contact: seedtesting@sasa.gov.scot. 

Also, your NI customer must be registered with DAERA, and you must complete a NIPHL pro-forma.  If you do not comply with the scheme's requirements, then your goods will be delayed, or even refused entry to NI.

Further NIPHL guidance can be found below:

If you move plant produce such as fruit, vegetables or cut flowers from GB to NI, please refer to the guidance on the NI Retail Movement Scheme.