Brexit: Important information British plant growers need to know now if they import from the EU

High priority plants and plant products, including plants for planting, ware potatoes and certain seeds will need pre-notification of import and phytosanitary certificates. Phytosanitary certificates will replace plant passports for EU imports. The EU exporter will need to apply for a certificate from the body that issues the certificates in their country. This will need to be secured before the goods’ departure so it can be sent to you, as the UK importer, for pre-notification purposes. Find out which plants are affected and how to get certificates.
Importers will need to submit import notifications prior to arrival, along with the original phytosanitary certificate. These must be given at least four working hours before arrival for goods arriving via air or a roll on/roll off cargo ship, and at least one working day for other modes of transport.
Document checks will take place remotely, where possible. Physical/identity checks can also take place away from the border – at either a registered place of destination, Border Control Post, or other approved premises.
Importers of high priority plants and plant products will need to be registered with the PEACH system initially, before moving to the IPAFFS system in mid-February. Find out how to register for PEACH here. More details on how to register for IPAFFS for plants and plant products will be released in due course.

There will be UK controls – including identity and document checks, pre-notification of import and phytosanitary certificates – on regulated plants and plant material entering the country from the EU. 'Regulated' covers almost all plants, plant material, including all fruits and vegetables (except for certain tropical fruits), seeds, cut flowers and growing material. Read the list of plants exempt from regulation and find out how to get certificates.
Importers will need to submit import notifications prior to arrival, along with the original phytosanitary certificate. These must be given at least four working hours before arrival for goods arriving via air or a roll on/roll off cargo ship, and at least one working day for other modes of transport.
UK importers of regulated plants and plant material will need to have registered with the relevant IPAFFS IT system. More details on how to register for IPAFFS for plants and plant products will be released in due course.

Identity and physical checks will take place at a Border Control Post, as opposed to the authorised point of destination. Document checks will take place remotely.

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