We prepare and manage import and export documentation for Irish businesses trading internationally, ensuring your shipments clear without delay and meet all compliance requirements.
Understanding IPAFFS
UK IPAFFS is the system used by UK authorities to manage the import of regulated goods, particularly sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) products. It is used to pre-notify authorities about incoming shipments before they arrive in Great Britain.
This system is a key part of post-Brexit border controls and applies to goods entering the UK from Ireland and the wider EU.
IPAFFS is used to submit pre-notifications for SPS shipments, provide detailed import information in advance, and ensure that goods meet UK regulatory requirements before arrival.
IPAFFS submissions are typically completed by the UK importer or their appointed agent. However, exporters must provide accurate and complete documentation to support the submission and ensure compliance.
Export Requirements Explained
Exporting goods from Ireland to the UK now requires additional documentation and compliance checks. These requirements apply across a wide range of goods, with stricter controls for SPS products.
Exporters must provide Export Health Certificates (EHCs), commercial invoices, packing lists, and transport documentation. Customs declarations are required for both export from Ireland and import into the UK.
Goods must be pre-notified through IPAFFS, followed by documentary, identity, and physical checks where required. Clearance takes place at UK Border Control Posts before goods can enter the market.
Export Health Certificates are required for many SPS goods exported to the UK. These certificates are issued by authorised veterinary or plant health authorities and confirm that goods meet UK import standards.
EHCs are required for products of animal origin, plants and plant products, and certain food and feed products that fall under SPS controls.
Businesses often face delays in obtaining certificates, errors in documentation, or mismatches between certificate details and shipment information, all of which can lead to delays or rejected shipments.
Complete Export Support
We provide end-to-end support for businesses exporting goods from Ireland to the UK, ensuring full compliance with UK import requirements and reducing the risk of delays.
We assist with IPAFFS submissions by working closely with UK importers and their agents to ensure that all pre-notifications are completed accurately and on time.
We prepare and organise data for IPAFFS submissions, support validation of entries, and manage communication with UK authorities where required.
We guide businesses through the process of obtaining Export Health Certificates and ensure that all documentation aligns with shipment details.
We review documentation, liaise with certifying authorities, and ensure all certificates meet UK regulatory standards.
We manage export declarations in Ireland and coordinate with UK import processes to ensure both sides of the transaction are aligned.
We work with Irish Revenue export systems, including AEP, and coordinate with UK customs systems to ensure compliance throughout the process.
We carry out a full review of all export documentation to ensure compliance with UK border requirements.
We handle commercial invoices, packing lists, transport documentation, and health certificates, ensuring all paperwork is accurate and complete.
SPS goods exported to the UK are subject to strict controls and increased checks following recent border changes. These goods require careful handling to ensure compliance.
These include meat and dairy products, fish and seafood, fresh produce, and animal feed.
Exports of these goods require certification, pre-notification through IPAFFS, and may be subject to border inspections upon arrival.
2024 UK Border Updates
The UK has introduced phased border controls that increase checks on SPS goods and place greater emphasis on documentation and compliance.
These changes include mandatory IPAFFS notifications, increased physical inspections, and stricter enforcement of documentation requirements.
Exporters now need to prepare more thoroughly, as there is a higher risk of delays if requirements are not met. This has increased the need for expert support to manage the process effectively.
UK IPAFFS is a system used to pre-notify authorities of incoming SPS goods before they arrive in Great Britain.
IPAFFS is usually completed by the UK importer or their agent, but exporters must provide accurate documentation to support the process.
An Export Health Certificate is a document that confirms goods meet UK import requirements and is required for many SPS products.
IPAFFS is primarily required for SPS and regulated goods rather than all shipments.
If IPAFFS is not completed correctly, shipments may be delayed, rejected, or refused entry into the UK.
The timeframe depends on documentation accuracy and whether inspections are required, but proper preparation helps reduce delays.
Contact our team by phone, email, or enquiry form to get support with your Ireland to UK exports. We respond quickly and guide you through every step of the process.
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