PEACH TO IPAFFS transition: PEACH is now closed

15 Apr 2024

You are no longer able to notify through PEACH

You must now submit your import notifications using the IPAFFS system and are no longer able to use PEACH.

Closure of the PEACH System to all users

As of Monday 8 April 2024, users of PEACH were no longer able to submit notifications using the PEACH system.

Please use IPAFFS for your import notifications.

Importers must be registered with a UK address within IPAFFS to ensure you can submit import pre-notifications. Please visit this link if you need to register for IPAFFS.

IPAFFS Training

To support your transition from PEACH to IPAFFS we continue to hold weekly 1-hour training sessions that provide a live walkthrough of the new process. Please register for a time that suits you via the links below.  

Invitation to register and submit notifications via IPAFFS – Training Links

You can also watch our pre-recorded training session here.

Guidance on IPAFFS is available on GOV.UK. and further details visit our Plant Health Information Portal. Import IT Systems page. You will be able to find the following information:

• IPAFFS for Plants Guidance
• IPAFFS FAQs
• How to locate Commodity Codes
• IPAFFS Synonym List for Plants
• IPAFFS Training Links
• HMRC Customs Declaration codes for IPAFFS

Undesignated BCPs removed from IPAFFS 

The Border Control Posts (BCPs) listed below have been removed from IPAFFS and you will no longer be able to pre-notify your plants and plant products to these sites from 25 April 2024.

• (Hurn) Bournemouth Airport (plants)
• Baltic Wharf (plants)
• Chatham (plants)
• Goole Port (plants)
• Grimsby Port (plants)
• Hartlepool (plants)
• Ipswich Port  (plants)
• Kings Lynn Port (plants)
• Leeds Bradford Airport (plants)
• Liverpool John Lennon Airport (plants)
• Milford Haven (plants)
• Motis FSA Ltd Dover
• Newcastle Airport (plants)
• Plymouth City Airport (plants)
• Port of Boston (plants)
• Shoreham Port (plants)
• Teesport (plants)

From 25 April 2024, importers or agents using these BCPs should pre-notify to alternative BCPs or CPs that are approved for plants and plant products.

Alternative BCPs or CPs can be found here: Plant imports: authorised border control posts in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Q&A 

Why have these BCPs been removed? 

These sites have not completed the designation process and therefore APHA are unable to verify that they have facilities which are compliant or in some instances, the operator has taken the commercial decision not to retain designation. As a result, they will no longer be able to handle plants and plant products that are categorised as high or medium risk.

Risk categories of your goods can be found on the Plant Health Portal

TOM risk categorisations - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk)

BTOM Risk Categories from Non-EU Countries - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk)

What has Defra/APHA done to try to improve the sites to allow BCP designation? 

Where appropriate, APHA have advised sites of the required remedial actions to achieve BCP designation.  It is a commercial decision whether to pursue BCP designation.

Some sites were also included as undesignated from January 2021 but have decided to not pursue designation and as such have been removed.

I regularly use Dover Western Dock (Motis FSA Ltd) to import goods, what is my alternative? 

Importers or agents using Dover Western Dock (Motis FSA Ltd) should pre-notify their consignment for Sevington from 25th April 2024 or use one of the alternative BCPs or CPs listed.

Why has there been no notice of undesignated sites being removed from IPAFFS? 

APHA have been liaising with ports that will be impacted by being removed by IPAFFS. The majority of ports that are impacted by the IPAFFS removal do not handle regulated SPS goods.

What do I do if I currently import my plants and plant products through one of the undesignated sites that are due to be removed? 

Ahead of the 25 April, it is important that you plan your journeys to BCPs or CPs designated to handle plants and plant products as soon as possible. This will help to reduce any potential delays to your onward journey and ensure compliance with the new UK phytosanitary regime. We have created a map containing a list of BCPs and CPs which you’ll find on our Plant Health Portal by clicking the link below.

BCP Locations and Map - UK Plant Health Information Portal (defra.gov.uk)