Border Trade Newsletter – getting it right at the border 12 03 25

In this newsletter:

1. HMRC network maintenance – Tuesday 17 March
2. UK–EU SPS Agreement – latest updates
3. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI): Bosnia and Herzegovina
4. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD): Slovakia
5. Useful contacts

HMRC have informed us that they will be conducting network maintenance that will conclude on Tuesday 17 March. This work will result in delayed messaging between BTMS and CDS between 7pm to 9pm on that day. Messages will be queued and replayed but users may experience a delay of up to 30 mins.

HMRC apologises for any inconvenience caused.

On Monday 9 March, the UK Government published an announcement giving an update on UK-EU SPS agreement.

This announcement included information for businesses and a list of legislations expected to be in scope.

Defra also launched a call for information to hear directly from businesses about what they need to support implementation requirements. This will shape the practical guidance and support Defra provide, so businesses of all sizes are ready for the changes.

Following an outbreak of HPAI in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the following restrictions now apply to imports of the following products from Bosnia and Herzegovina from 25 February 2026:

• imports of poultry meat are suspended.

• meat products of poultry must be heat treated to 70°C throughout the meat (heat treatment ‘D’).

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

Following an assessment by Defra, Slovakia is now recognised as free from Foot and Mouth Disease without vaccination. Commercial imports of affected commodities to Great Britain from Slovakia may now resume, subject to all import conditions and the relevant Export Health Certificate requirements being met.

Please see Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues – GOV.UK for more information.

Please note that, although Slovakia is now recognised as FMD‑free, you will continue to see notifications for inspection at a high check rate, whilst the risk rules are updated.

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/