Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has published the below updated guidance on changes relating to the process for returning consignments rejected at EU Border Control Posts (BCPs).
This message aims to provide further information on the new process for returning consignments rejected by EU BCPs effective from Monday 20 April 2026.
This note follows the Trader Notice issued on 31 March.
New EU returns process:
From today, products of animal origin and animal by-products rejected at an EU BCP can follow the same process as those rejected in non-EU countries, by entering GB via a BCP.
Prior to departing the EU BCP, the consignment must be pre-notified on the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS), ensuring that the ‘re-entry’ box is selected. Evidence of pre-notification must be provided to the EU BCP as authorisation to release the consignment.
Prior to departing the EU BCP, the consignment must be pre-notified, as a CHED P, on the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS), ensuring that the ‘re-entry’ box is selected. Evidence of pre-notification must be provided to the EU BCP as authorisation to release the consignment.
IPAFFS is available 24/7 and GB BCP opening hours can be found on GOV.UK: Live animals, animal products and food and feed of non-animal origin border control posts at ports in the UK
All consignments will undergo documentary and identity checks at the GB BCP and may also undergo physical checks where required. Depending on the findings, the goods may be cleared for re-entry, be required to undergo special treatment, or be destroyed if they pose a risk to human or animal health.
Consignments rejected by the BCP in France often receive a destruction notice. Exporters, through their agent in France, can appeal this and instead request that the goods be returned to GB, provided this is done within five days of the notice being provided to the agent. Returns are authorised by SIVEP on a discretionary basis; their response will depend primarily on their risk analysis of the goods and on their observations.
Using IPAFFS:
The IPAFFS notification must be made by the operator responsible for the consignment in GB, and not by an agent in the EU. If you do not already use IPAFFS, you will need to register. During registration, you will be prompted to set up a Government Gateway login. Once registered, you can set up IPAFFS using your UK‑registered business details.
If registering on behalf of a company, the first person to register will become the account administrator.
For further information on making IPAFFS notifications, please see:
When making your IPAFFS notification, you must attach all relevant documents, including any documents submitted to the EU BCP; a copy of the original Export Health Certificate; and the EU BCP rejection note (with translation).
Most importantly, you must:
- Under “Country of origin”, select the relevant GB country of origin and not the country of the EU BCP:
- Under “What is the main reason for importing the consignment?”, select “re-entry”:
EU BCPs will require evidence of a correctly completed IPAFFS notification before releasing rejected consignments for return to GB.
Returns of ABP:
When returning consignments of ABP, you must attach a declaration from the GB competent authority of the consignment’s destination to the IPAFFS notification. A copy should also accompany the consignment to the BCP.
- For consignments returning to England, a declaration can be downloaded from Section 5 of the Import Information Note.
For consignments returning to Wales and Scotland, you must contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to obtain the declaration.
HMRC declaration:
You must make a customs declaration on the HMRC Customs Declaration Service (CDS) after making your IPAFFS notification and before returning to GB. You may be able to claim Returned Goods Relief, meaning that you will not pay any import duties. More information can be found on GOV.UK: Pay less import duty and VAT when re-importing goods to the UK
Non-compliance with the new process:
Failure to pre-notify on IPAFFS or to present re-imported consignments to the designated BCP are offences under the Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations 2011 and the Trade in Animals and Related Products (Scotland) Regulations 2012, unless you have received appropriate authorisation from APHA instead. Port Health Authorities or Local Authorities, depending on where the goods are seized, are responsible for enforcing these measures. Enforcement actions will vary depending on the public and animal health risk.
Previous EU returns process:
The previous returns process of obtaining authorisation from APHA will remain available. However, this service will now operate to a five working day timeframe from APHA pre-notification through to risk assessment and clearance.
Traders returning consignments will not be able to use both processes simultaneously. If a returning consignment is rejected by a GB BCP, it will not be permitted to switch to the APHA process, although the trader may appeal the GB BCP’s decision through their usual appeals process. When contacting APHA, traders will be asked to declare the current physical location of the consignment. Goods already at a GB BCP will automatically be denied authorisation from APHA.
Returns from the island of Ireland:
Returned consignments from the island of Ireland are exempt from the new process. Requests to return these consignments should continue to be made to APHA, and the existing working timeframe will be maintained.
Action
- From Monday 20 April 2026, goods rejected at an EU BCP should be returned via a GB BCP and pre-notified on IPAFFS, with the ‘re-entry’ option selected.
- Upon return, goods must be presented at the designated GB BCP to undergo checks.
- Exporters returning goods from the island of Ireland should continue to use the previous returns process of requesting authorisation from APHA.
Further Information
- Defra held two webinars to share further details on the new process on 9 and 14 April. A recording of the 9 April session can be viewed on YouTube.
- Further details about returning rejected consignments can be found on GOV.UK: Vet checks and returned animals or products: Import Information Notes
- To access IPAFFS, or for more information about using IPAFFS, see: Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS)
- For any technical questions about using IPAFFS, please contact: APHAServiceDesk@apha.gov.uk
- For more information about GB BCPs and their opening times, see: Live animals, animal products and food and feed of non-animal origin border control posts at ports in the UK
- For more information about import requirements for POAO, see: General information for imports of products of animal origin (POAO) for human consumption – Import Information Note (IIN) GEN/2 – GOV.UK
- For more information on the operations of your designated GB BCP, or for questions on how to complete your IPAFFS notification, please contact the Port Health Authority of the BCP directly.
- If you need help with your customs declaration, please contact HMRC.
For any other general questions about import requirements, contact the APHA imports team:
APHA’s Centre for International Trade – Carlisle:
- Email – imports@apha.gov.uk
- Telephone- 03000 300 201
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