APHA – Border Trade Newsletter – getting it right at the border 28 08 25

In this newsletter:

1. IPAFFS Scheduled Update – Monday, 1 September
2. ABP importer declarations
3. Extra border checks cancelled ahead of UK-EU deal
4. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) import restrictions: Argentina
5. Borders Directorate Communications – new email address
6. Useful contacts and information

Please be advised that a scheduled update will take place on IPAFFS on, Monday, 1 September.

This update is delivered using a deployment mechanism specifically designed to minimise the risk of disruption to users. It forms part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining the stability, performance, and security of the system.

While we do not anticipate any impact on traders or day-to-day operations, we believe it’s important to keep you informed.

In the event that you experience any issues, please contact the STORM incident hub by emailing: Stormincidentresponse@defra.gov.uk.

Before contacting Storm, please ensure:

• The CHED is fully submitted and visible in IPAFFS.

• SPS checks (as applicable) are complete.

• A customs hold is visible in CDS that requires action.

• You include the MRN, and all relevant CHED references

Please note the Storm inbox is not able to assist with:

• CHEDs still in draft or amendment status

• General or policy-related questions

Messages that do not meet these criteria may need to be redirected, which can lead to delays.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and we’ll work to complete the update as swiftly and smoothly as possible.

As you are aware, imports of specific animal by-products (ABPs) from non-EU countries must be accompanied by an importer declaration. Although imports from EU and EFTA countries do not currently need to be accompanied by an importer declaration (but must travel with a commercial document), from 30 April 2025 EU traders can choose to use declarations for the following ABPs:

• bones and bone products, horns and horn products and hoof products intended for use other than as feed material, organic fertilisers or soil improvers

• untreated wool and hair, depending on the country of origin and intended destination

• intermediate products

These products must still travel with a commercial document, whether a trader chooses to use an importer declaration or not.

From 1 September 2025, Port Health Authorities will accept digitally signed importer declarations (e-signature) from both EU and non-EU countries. This option has been introduced to streamline the import process.

PHAs can establish a secure system with traders to check the validity of e-signatures. If there are any doubts about the signature’s authenticity, PHAs may ask traders to provide further proof and information.

At the UK-EU summit on 19 May, the UK and EU announced that we will agree a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers.

You can see full details of the announcements here: UK/EU Summit – Key documentation – GOV.UK

In light of the plans set out at the summit, the United Kingdom and devolved governments have decided to pause implementation of further import controls on imports of EU and EFTA live animals, and non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods arriving from Ireland and Northern Ireland. BTOM controls that are already in place will continue until further notice, and the UK’s biosecurity and public health must continue to be protected.

While negotiations continue, we will review the decision to pause further BTOM implementation for these commodities as further detail and SPS Agreement timelines are confirmed.
For live animal imports, we will maintain the existing system of controls on Rest of World imports through Border Control Posts (BCPs), and we will continue to undertake remote documentary checks and checks on EU and EFTA imports at destination.

For non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods arriving from Ireland and Northern Ireland, this pause means that, where required, pre-notification and certification will continue.

Current controls on goods transiting GB between Ireland and the mainland EU will remain in place.

The current easement on certain medium risk fruits and vegetables from the EU, CH and LI will be temporarily extended, as per recent correspondence.

We recognise the need for certainty and are committed to keeping traders and local authorities informed. While SPS Agreement details and timelines are still being finalised, we will continue engaging with stakeholders and will provide clear notice ahead of any changes.

• imports of poultry, ratite and wild game bird meat are suspended.

• meat products of poultry and farmed feathered game (including ratites) must be heat treated to 70°C throughout the meat (heat treatment ‘D’). Note that the requirement for heat treatment ‘D’ already applies to meat products of wild game birds.

Further information can be found at: Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We’ve updated our email address as part of our transition from Defra to APHA. Going forward, all communications from the Borders Directorate will come from: NBO-communications@apha.gov.uk. Please make sure to update your records and add the email address to your address book in order to continue receiving messages from us.

We also host the APHA Business Readiness Forum – a monthly online session that keeps stakeholders up to date on the latest developments in biosecurity and trade.

Our next forum will take place on Tuesday 2 September. If you’d like to join the next session or receive invitations to future ones, please email us at: APHA-BusinessReadinessForum@apha.gov.uk .⁠

Please note: any queries relating to imports should be directed to the APHA Imports team at Imports@apha.gov.uk ⁠

Imports of animal products: for urgent questions about imports of animal products, including germinal products, contact the Port Health Authority or Local Authority at the Border Control Post (BCP) for the goods’ point of entry. Find the BCP and the PHA/LA contact information on this map or list.

Imports of live animals: for urgent questions about imports of live animals, contact APHA.

Imports of plants and plant products: for urgent questions regarding imports into England and Wales, contact 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

If you need technical help with IPAFFS, please call the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) helpline on 0330 041 6999 or email APHAServiceDesk@apha.gov.uk (not 24 hours)

Foot and Mouth disease – Foot and mouth disease: latest situation – GOV.UK

Check our detailed guidance for information on how to comply with import requirements.

Importing from the EU:

Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues – GOV.UK

Products of animal origin for human consumption: Import animal products for human consumption from the EU to Great Britain – GOV.UK

Live animals and germinal products: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-live-animals-and-germinal-products-from-the-eu-to-great-britain

HRFNAO: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-high-risk-food-and-feed-not-of-animal-origin-from-the-eu-to-great-britain

Plants and plant products:

• Import plants and plant products from the EU to Great Britain – GOV.UK

• Trade – UK Plant Health Information Portal

Importing from non-EU countries:

Live animals, animal products and HRFNAO: Importing live animals, animal products and high risk food and feed of non-animal origin from non-EU countries to Great Britain – GOV.UK

Plants and plant products:

• Import plants and plant products from non-EU countries to Great Britain – GOV.UK

• https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/trade/