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Since 30 April 2024, every consignment of goods subject to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls entering the United Kingdom via the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel has been subject to a mandatory government fee — the Common User Charge (CUC). The charge is collected by Defra to cover the operating costs of the government Border Control Post (BCP) at Sevington. It applies to importers, freight forwarders and customs agents handling POAO goods, certain plants, and high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin.
What the Common User Charge is and why it was introduced
As part of delivering the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), the UK rolled out full SPS controls for imports from the EU from spring 2024. The government operates the BCP at Sevington (Kent), through which consignments routed for control from Dover and Eurotunnel are directed. Operating costs (around £23.06 million in the first year) are covered by the CUC. Sevington is shared ("common user") infrastructure — hence the name. Rates are set by Defra annually.
Who the charge applies to
The CUC covers only goods entering the UK via Dover and Eurotunnel. Other ports (Portsmouth, Harwich, Tilbury) set their own BCP charges — the CUC does not apply to them. The following are subject to the charge:
- Products of Animal Origin (POAO) — imports and transits
- High- and medium-risk A plants — imports
- High-risk food/feed of non-animal origin (HRFNAO) — imports
Common User Charge rates (2024/2025)
Charged per commodity line on a single CHED (Common Health Entry Document), regardless of whether a physical inspection took place.
| Goods category | Movement type | Rate per line |
|---|---|---|
| POAO — low risk | Import | £10 |
| POAO — medium/high risk | Import | £29 |
| POAO — all | Transit | £10 |
| Plants — low risk / medium B | Import | No charge |
| Plants — medium A / high risk | Import | £29 |
| Plants — all | Transit | No charge |
| HRFNAO | Import | £29 |
| HRFNAO | Transit | No charge |
Caps (maximum charge per CHED)
- Max. for a medium/high-risk CHED: £145 (5 × £29)
- Max. for a low-risk POAO CHED and transits: £50 (5 × £10)
If a CHED contains goods with different risk levels, the highest-risk rate is applied to all lines.
Note: These rates cover the period 30 April 2024 – 29 April 2025. Defra carries out an annual review. The 2025/2026 rates had not yet been officially confirmed at the time of publication — check at gov.uk/guidance/common-user-charge-rates-and-eligibility.
Who is liable to pay
Responsibility rests with the party submitting the CHED notification in IPAFFS:
- The direct importer submitting the notification — is liable for the charge.
- An agent/forwarder submitting on the importer's behalf — is liable, unless they use the importer's billing details (with the importer's consent).
- Under a Delegation of Authority (the agent uses the importer's details) — the importer remains the liable party.
Agencies handling IPAFFS must clearly agree with the client whose billing details have been entered — otherwise the agent will be invoiced on their own account.
Invoicing and payment
Invoices are issued by Shared Services Connected Ltd (SSCL) on behalf of Defra (domain @gov.sscl.com).
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Monthly, for the previous month |
| Payment deadline | 30 days from the invoice date |
| Methods | BACS transfer, online payment, phone, cheque |
How the CUC affects the cost of importing from the EU
The CUC is a fixed cost on every SPS consignment via Dover/Eurotunnel. Example: a dairy-and-meat consignment (POAO, high risk) with a CHED containing 3 lines = 3 × £29 = £87. From 5 lines or more, the £145 cap kicks in. The CUC is separate from duty, Postponed VAT Accounting and port charges. Factor it into your landed-cost calculation.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does the CUC apply to every import from the EU into the UK? No — only to SPS goods moving via Dover and Eurotunnel. Other ports have their own BCP charges.
Is it always payable, even without a physical inspection? Yes — it is a charge for submitting the CHED notification, regardless of any inspection.
Will the rates go up? Defra carries out an annual review based on BCP costs. New rates are announced on gov.uk ahead of each new charging year.
How do you set up billing so the invoice goes to the importer? In IPAFFS, the agent selects billing against the importer's details and must hold a Delegation of Authority.
How we can help
Customs agency agencjacelna.uk handles UK-PL import/export clearances, including full IPAFFS notifications for SPS goods. We advise on setting up CUC billing details, risk classification and optimising landed cost. Get in touch before your consignment reaches Dover.
Sources
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