Food import to the United Kingdom after Brexit requires compliance with a range of sanitary and phytosanitary formalities, and failure to understand these requirements can result in consignments being held up or destroyed at the border. Comprehensive food import handling covers both customs clearance procedures and the preparation of appropriate certificates and IPAFFS notifications. This guide explains all the key requirements applicable in 2026.

Brexit and Changes to Food Import to UK

Before Brexit, food from EU countries could be freely imported into the UK without any border controls. From 1 January 2021, the situation changed dramatically. The UK left the single European market and the Customs Union, which means that goods from the EU — including food — are now treated as imports from a third country.

The UK Government has been gradually implementing full border controls for food from the EU. From 2024, the BTOM (Border Target Operating Model) applies, which introduces a three-tier control system depending on the level of risk posed by the goods:

• Low risk — documentary checks, sporadic physical inspections
• Medium risk — mandatory IPAFFS notifications, possible physical inspections
• High risk — mandatory border controls (BCP), health certificates

IPAFFS System — What is it and How Does it Work?

IPAFFS (Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System) is an electronic pre-notification system for imports into the United Kingdom. It is the equivalent of the EU’s TRACES NT system. An IPAFFS notification must be submitted before the goods arrive in the UK — typically at least 1 day before (processed products) or up to 5 days before (live animals).

IPAFFS notification deadlines by commodity category:

• Products of Animal Origin (POAO): 1 working day before arrival
• Fishery products: 4 hours before arrival (sea transport: 1 day)
• High-risk plants and plant products: 1 working day before arrival
• Live animals: up to 5 days before arrival

Registration in the IPAFFS system and submission of IPAFFS notifications by experienced customs agents helps avoid errors that could result in the consignment being rejected.

Border Control Posts (BCP) — Where Does the Control Take Place?

Goods subject to mandatory SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) controls must enter the UK through designated Border Control Posts (BCP). Not every sea port or border crossing is a BCP — the importer must ensure that the chosen point of entry has the appropriate authorisation for the commodity category in question.

Main BCP locations in the UK:

• Dover (goods from the EU, road transport)
• Folkestone (Eurotunnel)
• Tilbury and Felixstowe (sea transport)
• Heathrow (air transport)
• Holyhead (Wales — connections to Ireland)

An up-to-date list of BCPs along with their scope of competence (which commodity categories they can control) is available on the GOV.UK website.

Health and Phytosanitary Certificates

The exporter (seller in the EU) must provide appropriate certificates accompanying the consignment. The type of certificate depends on the commodity category:

Products of Animal Origin (POAO)

Meat, dairy products, eggs and their processed products require a Health Certificate issued by an official veterinarian in the exporting country. The certificate must comply with the template accepted by the UK and accompany the consignment until customs clearance.

Plants and Plant Products

Fresh fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and plants require a Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the competent plant protection authority in the country of origin. The certificate confirms that the plants are free from harmful organisms.

High-Risk Products Not Listed in the Schedules

Some food products require an additional certificate of compliance with specific standards — for example, products from China or India may be subject to enhanced controls due to historical food safety incidents.

Border Control Inspection Fees

From 30 April 2024, the UK introduced fees for border controls on imported goods. The Common User Charge (CUC) is levied for each physical or documentary inspection at a BCP. The fee rates depend on the commodity category:

• Low-risk plant products: £10 per consignment
• High-risk plant products: £29 per consignment
• Low-risk animal products: £10 per consignment
• High-risk animal products: £43 per consignment

Labelling Requirements for Food Imported to UK

Food sold in the UK must comply with British food labelling requirements. After Brexit, the UK developed its own standards, which in some respects differ from EU requirements:

• Address of the importer or distributor in the UK (instead of an EU address)
• Country of origin or place of provenance for specific categories
• Information on allergens

Need help with UK customs clearance? Contact Plutos Team — our licensed customs brokers handle all aspects of UK import and export declarations, BTOM compliance, and T1 transit documents.