Importing plants, plant products and used farm machinery (including forestry machinery) from the EU

Last updated:  25/4/25
 

The Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) introduces a new risk-based approach to border controls. Goods have been categorised as high, medium or low-risk and appropriate controls are weighted against the risk. 

Before importing from the EU, you will need to check: 

  • Whether your products are (a) prohibited, and (b) subject to plant health controls.
  • What the risk category of your product is, and whether your product requires a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) and pre-notification (CHED-PP). 

Please note that:

  • High risk plants/goods will require a PC and pre-notification, and are subject to physical, documentary and identity checks.
  • Medium risk plants/goods will require a PC and pre-notification and if selected for an import check will be subjected to physical and identity checks.

Low risk goods will not require a PC or pre-notification because they are not subject to checks. 

From 30 April 2024 high and medium risk goods must come through Border Control Posts or Control Points. 

Resources to help you comply with rules for plants and plant products

From 30 April 2024, high and medium risk goods must come through Border Control Posts or Control Points. 

IPAFFS and PEACH

PEACH closed on 8 April 2024. 

IPAFFS must now be used to pre-notify all plant good imports from the EU, Liechtenstein and Switzerland which you must be registered with IPAFFS to use it.  To register for IPAFFS, visit GOV.UK.

For more information on IPAFFS:

All imports of medium-risk plants and plant products from the Republic of Ireland (RoI) require pre-notification on IPAFFS.

We would encourage you to use the Plant Health Information Service (PHI tool) to assist you with the import rules for plants and plant products that are brought into the UK. If you are importing goods from non-EU countries, then you must contact HMU to notify them of the goods you wish to import.

Imports of used farm machinery (including forestry machinery/lawn cutters)

Importers must ensure that machinery or vehicles of this kind are accompanied by a PC, detailing that they have been cleaned and are free from soil and plant debris. A PC can only be obtained from the relevant authorities in the exporting country. The requirements do not apply to new machinery and vehicles.

The requirements for machinery and vehicles can be found at The Plant Health (Phytosanitary Conditions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk) – Annex 7 item 3. 

For EU goods imported into Scotland both direct into Scottish ports or via England, goods will need to be entered onto IPAFFS. All physical inspections will continue to be undertaken by HMU, therefore please direct any queries to hort.marketing@gov.scot.

You are required to notify your consignment onto the IPAFFS system 4 working hours before arrival into the UK if arriving by air or via a RoRo port, or 1 working day if arriving by a sea port.