IPAFFS in 2026: Who Must File a Notification and What to Prepare Before Arrival in the UK

IPAFFS is the UK system for notifying imports of goods subject to sanitary and phytosanitary controls. When the notification is filed too late or with incomplete data, the shipment can easily be delayed, so treat IPAFFS as a mandatory step already when you plan the movement, not only on the day the border is crossed.

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What IPAFFS is and when it matters

According to GOV.UK, IPAFFS must be used for imports into Great Britain of, among others, live animals, products of animal origin and animal by-products, high-risk food and feed not of animal origin, composite food products, and medium- and high-risk plants and plant products. The full scope depends on the commodity code, so each consignment must be checked separately (see when goods need IPAFFS).

These rules stem from the UK's Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), which we describe in BTOM after Brexit. SPS controls also involve the Common User Charge.

What to prepare before creating a notification

• the importer's details and the delivery address,
• a precise identification of the goods and the commercial documents,
• the required certificates (for example health or phytosanitary) as PDFs – GOV.UK says import documents are uploaded before the notification is submitted,
• transport information (route, carrier, planned arrival),
• confirmation of who in your company is responsible for IPAFFS.

To use the system you must sign in or create an account (an agent registers with its own business details, not as an “intermediary”). The notification is made before the goods arrive in GB; detailed timings depend on the type of goods and are set out by GOV.UK. We walk through the process in IPAFFS step by step.

The most common risks in practice

• assuming every consignment has identical requirements,
• incomplete data or documents when the notification is started,
• unclear division of responsibility between importer, carrier and agent.

How to reduce the risk of delays

A simple process works best: classify the goods, decide whether IPAFFS is required, assemble the data and documents, and file with enough lead time. One person responsible for the final data check avoids last-minute corrections at the border. If the data in the documents differ, reconcile them before filing, not after the load has been stopped. Other pre-arrival formalities are covered in our article on the UK customs declaration, and the business registration number in the guide to the EORI number.

Want to check whether your goods need IPAFFS and how to assign responsibility in your company? Get in touch.

Official sources

• GOV.UK - Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS)
• GOV.UK - Register to use IPAFFS (section)

Frequently asked questions