An IPAFFS notification is required before certain goods arrive in Great Britain, including live animals, products of animal origin, high-risk food and feed not of animal origin, and medium and high risk plants. It is filed by the importer or an import agent, who registers in the system using their own business details.
Contents
IPAFFS keeps coming up in conversations with importers whenever goods subject to additional border requirements are entering the UK. The problem is that many companies only find out about IPAFFS once the transport is already close to the border or the documents have only been partly gathered.
This article puts the topic into a practical structure: when IPAFFS is needed, who can file the notification, and what data is worth preparing in advance. If you handle imports into the UK, also see our article IPAFFS Notification.
When IPAFFS is needed
GOV.UK states that IPAFFS is used to notify the authorities in Great Britain of the import of certain groups of goods. This covers, among others:
- live animals,
- germinal products,
- animal by-products,
- high-risk food and feed not of animal origin,
- products of animal origin,
- composite food products,
- medium and high risk plants and plant products.
Who can use IPAFFS
Importers and import agents can register with the system and file notifications. If you act as an agent on behalf of an importer, GOV.UK stresses that you register with IPAFFS using your own business details. This matters because, once you raise a notification, you are responsible for the consignment from when it enters Great Britain until the authorities complete their checks.
What to prepare before filing a notification
- Import documents in electronic form, e.g. PDF — they must be uploaded to the notification before you submit it. Great Britain accepts verifiable PDF GB health certificates from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway for live animals and animal products.
- The importer's details and a description of the goods.
- Information on the type of commodity and the relevant product group.
- Transport details and the planned arrival date.
- Where needed, the relevant certificates or health documents.
What to watch out for in practice
- Not every import into the UK requires IPAFFS, but if the goods fall into one of the groups covered by the system, a missing notification can stop the shipment.
- For goods from different groups, separate import notifications may be needed.
- For some plant and animal products, it is not just IPAFFS itself that matters, but also the specific rules for that category of import.
The most common mistake companies make
The most common mistake is treating IPAFFS as an add-on that "can be sorted out later". In practice, companies should first confirm whether the goods are covered by IPAFFS, and only then build the transport and clearance timeline.
Who this article matters most to
- importers of food products and products of animal origin,
- businesses trading in SPS goods,
- companies bringing plants and plant products into Great Britain,
- agents and forwarders coordinating import documents.
Summary
IPAFFS is not an add-on "at the end of the process" — it is something that needs to be checked at the import-planning stage. If your company is unsure whether the goods require a notification and what documents to prepare, send us the topic for review.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS)
- GOV.UK: Import plants and plant products from the EU to Great Britain
- GOV.UK: Import animal products for human consumption to Great Britain
- GOV.UK: Transiting animals and animal products through Great Britain
Related articles
- EORI number in 2026
- IPAFFS in 2026: who must file a notification
- Exporting food to the UK: EHC, IPAFFS and SPS checks
- The T1 document in 2026
If you would like to go through this topic using your company's own data, send us a cooperation form and describe the planned movement of goods.
Frequently asked questions
When do I have to file an IPAFFS notification?
Before the goods arrive in Great Britain, for several groups: live animals, germinal products, animal by-products, products of animal origin, high-risk food and feed not of animal origin, composite food products, and medium and high risk plants and plant products. This applies to goods from the EU and from non-EU countries.
Who files the IPAFFS notification?
The importer or an import agent. An agent acting on behalf of an importer registers for IPAFFS using their own business details and should not select “intermediaries” in the service. The person who raises the notification is responsible for the consignment from when it enters Great Britain until the checks are complete.
What documents should I prepare before filing?
Import documents in electronic form (e.g. PDF), the importer's details and a description of the goods, the commodity type and group, transport details with the planned arrival date and, where the category requires it, certificates or health documents. The documents must be uploaded to the notification before you submit it.
Do goods from different groups need separate notifications?
They may. A consignment containing goods from different groups often needs separate import notifications, and some plant and animal products also have specific rules for their category. Check the rules for your particular goods on GOV.UK before submitting.
Where can I get technical help with IPAFFS?
For technical problems you can call the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) helpline on 0330 041 6999 or email APHAServiceDesk@apha.gov.uk. For help with your customs declaration, contact HMRC.
Related guides
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