Update on physical and identity checks for non-qualifying goods moving from the island of Ireland to Great Britain

27 Nov 2024

Defra have confirmed that physical and identity checks on non-qualifying goods moving from the island of Ireland to Great Britain will not start during 2024.

Defra will provide a further update on the timeline for implementation by Summer 2025.

They will continue working in collaboration with the devolved governments and with all border stakeholders, supporting implementation readiness across vital points of entry to better protect UK biosecurity.  Defra have assured that they will communicate any additional updates well in advance, giving traders time to prepare.

In the meantime, traders importing non-qualifying goods from Ireland to Great Britain, will need to continue:

• pre-notifying via the Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) for all high risk food and feed not of animal origin (HRFNAO) and medium risk A and high-risk plant and plant products.
• to get an Export Health Certificate (EHC) for high-risk food and feed not of animal origin (HRFNAO).
• to get a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) for medium and high-risk plants and plant products.

Qualifying Northern Ireland goods will continue to benefit from full unfettered access to the whole UK internal market.