Government Spending Review 2025
Over the last year, the government has taken action to fix the foundations of the economy, put the public finances on a sustainable path, and support growth. At...
Trade
We support our members in keeping trade flowing, removing barriers and delays to trade. We also publish official SPV tariff information. We have guidance available to members in our Advice section. If you have a problem at any time contact us.
Latest Trade advice and guidance
Reminder - NI Movement Assistance Scheme closes on 30th June 2025
12 June 2025
Post Brexit Border Strategy
Trade
22 April 2025
Post Brexit Border Strategy
Trade
Regulation
FPC member only content
FPC Consultation Response to EFRA Call for Evidence on Biosecurity Measures
31 January 2025
Consultations
Post Brexit Border Strategy
Trade
Plant Health
FPC member only content
NCTS5 Final State Rules - Information prior to 21 January 2025
22 November 2024
Trade
FPC member only content
FPC Technical Meeting Presentation and Minutes 14th November 2024
21 November 2024
Post Brexit Border Strategy
Trade
Plant Health
Food safety
Regulation
Imports
FPC Meeting Minutes
Trade Campaigns
Trade News
Claim back security deposits for goods eligible for preferential duty
You can now claim back a security deposit or guarantee paid at the time of import for goods eligible for a preferential rate of duty, where the proof of origin ...
Phase 3 "Not For EU" labelling to go ahead from 1st July 2025 as planned
Following the UK/EU Summit on 19 May, the Government is taking forward a new strategic partnership with the EU that will deliver greater prosperity and security...
CDS 4.8.0 Release delayed to 14th June 2025
CDS Release 4.8.0 will no longer be delivered on 31st May 2025. The new date for deployment of this Release will be 14th June 2025. Any pre-lodged declarations...
FPC discuss the potential EU/UK SPS Agreement with Minister Zeichner
On 14th May, FPC represented the fresh produce industry during a ministerial roundtable to discuss the implications of any potential EU/UK SPS Agreement ahead o...
FPC meets Brooke Rollins to discuss UK / US Trade
On 13th May, the FPC had the opportunity to meet with Brooke Rollins, the US Agriculture Secretary, during her visit to the UK to explore trade opportunities. D...
EFRA Committee holds the final evidence session of its biosecurity at the border focus 6th May 2.30pm
Tuesday 6 May at 2.30pm, Committee Room 6, Palace of WestminsterWatch live on parliamentlive.tv The EFRA Committee holds the final evidence session of its b...
New Customs Authorisation and Technical Handbooks Published by HMRC
An authorisation for importing and exporting goods collection page has been created by HMRC: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-customs-authorisatio...
New arrangements now in effect for moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework - 1st May 2025
Traders need to be aware of new arrangements under the Windsor Framework, an agreement between the United Kingdom and European Union. The new arrangements for t...
Outdated EPPO codes in the Plant Health Export Service (PHES)
APHA have identified that there are a few EPPO codes in PHES that have been replaced or archived by EPPO services. Until these inactive codes are removed or upd...
Proposals for Fair Dealings Regulations in the Fresh Produce Sector - FEEDBACK REQUIRED
Following the launch of Fair Dealing Regulations being launched in other agri-food sectors, such as milk, Defra are looking to introduce similar regulations in ...
26 tonnes of Illegal Plant Protection Products seized in France and Spain
Law enforcement from France and Spain, supported by Europol, have arrested 29 members of a criminal organisation for selling illegal plant protection products. ...
Webinar on Windsor Framework using the Trader Support Service - 19 March 2025 - 3pm
The Trader Support Service (TSS) is hosting a webinar on Windsor Framework using the TSS, which will take place at 3pm GMT on Wednesday 19 March.The purpose ...
HRFNAO Consultation - Response required 9 April 2025
This is a consultation on proposed amendments to the lists within assimilated Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/1793 which applies a temporary increase of...
New reforms to make farming more profitable will be announced by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed.
Speaking to farmers at the NFU conference in Westminster, Steve Reed will reveal new plans to deliver a profitable farming sector, while reaffirming Government’...
Defra border services - Routine maintenance 6 February, 7pm - 9pm
Routine Defra border services maintenance will take place between 7pm and 9pm GMT on Thursday 6 February 2025.There should be no impact on IPAFFS. Businesses...
UK Internal Markets Act - DBT Consultation on performance - closes 3rd April
Since the formation of the United Kingdom, there has always been an internal market. Businesses and consumers across the land have long enjoyed the rewards from...
Estimated Operating Costs of Sevington BCP published
Defra used the estimated operating costs of the government-run Sevington Border Control Post for the 2024 to 2025 financial year to calculate the common user c...
Pay less Customs Duty on goods from a country with a UK trade agreement
Information about the Developing Countries Trading Scheme has been updated.You’ll need to classify the goods you import with the right commodity code, check the...
Changes on how to import bananas into the UK by weighing consignments and making simplified declarations for imports.
A number of changes have been made to the government guidance:Replacement of the reference to commodity code 0803 90 10 with commodity codes 08039011 00 and 080...
Defra Plant Health Fee Increase Consultation - Due 21 March 2025
Defra England and Wales have launched a consultation relating to Plant Health fees. The intention is that fees will be amended to provide full cost recovery (as...
Changes to declaration completion requirements from Feb 25
From February 2025, there will be several changes to declaration completion requirements as a result of updated tariff measures and the removal of waiver code 9...
HMRC are looking for your Opinion on Tariffs...........
How can HMRC make it easier for you to keep track of changes in tariffs and commodity codes? HMRC have reached out to FPC and it's members to understand how the...
UKIMS Changes from 31st March 2025 - Trade to NI
As you will be aware, new arrangements are being introduced for moving goods via freight and parcels from Great Britain (GB) into Northern Ireland (NI) as part ...
Final State Rules for NCTS5 - Changes from 21 January 2025
The following changes come in from today, 21st January 2025:• Office of Incident – incidents that happen during the goods movement should now be reported in r...
Safety & Security Partnership Pack
As you will be aware, the end of the waiver on Safety and Security declarations is fast approaching, with all EU imports into Great Britain requiring a Safety a...
NCTS5 - What is Going to Change from 21st January 2025? Updates and Useful Information
The New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) is a Europe wide online system for submitting transit declarations and notifications to HMRC. If you’re a UK trader, ...
Changes to EU Export Additional Declarations for Plants for Planting from 6 July 2026
From 6 July 2026 onwards, non-EU trading partners are requested to specify in full wording under the heading ´Additional Declaration´ of the phytosanitary certi...
Biosecurity at the border - EFRA Call For Evidence due 29 Jan 2025
There is a call for evidence to examine animal and plant biosecurity measures for personal and commercial imports to the UK. The Committee will examine both the...
Holyhead Port Update
Update: Please note the additional GVMS route that should be used for a temporary Dublin-Pembroke journey commencing on 6th January. Following weather damage ca...
The List of Authorised Distance Plant Sellers (LADPS)
The introduction of new Smarter Rules for Safer Food regulations in December 2019 brought the plant internet and mail order trade into the Plant Passporting (PP...
Update on the changes to tomato commodity codes from 1 Jan
IPAFFS is currently undergoing an update to reflect the changes to tomato commodity codes that were due to be implemented from 1 January 2025. Until this updat...
Storm Damage to Holyhead Port - Port Closure
Following weather damage caused by Storm Darragh, Holyhead Port has needed to temporarily close for urgent repair works and is not expected to open until at lea...
Change to EU SPS inspection frequency for tomato, pepper, aubergine & cucumber plants
Import inspection frequencies are kept under constant review considering the current risk position. The UK Plant Health Risk Group has reviewed the position for...
Failed Transit Messages - B1890 NCTS5 Advice
HMRC have identified an increase in failed transit messages at Office of Transit and Destination due to the incorrect application and use of rule B1890 (as per ...
Change to customs rules for import duty repayment
The Customs (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 2024 were laid on the 3rd December 2024. This Statutory Instrument introduces a change to customs ru...
Conifer Import Reminder
If you are importing cut conifer trees less than 3m in height or foliage from the EU, Switzerland or Liechtenstein to GB, you will need to obtain a Phytosanitar...
How to comply with the BTOM and the new import controls that are now in place
The following summary has been provided by Defra as a guide to meeting EU import controls1. Register for IPAFFS online on GOV UK if you haven’t already done s...
Update on physical and identity checks for non-qualifying goods moving from the island of Ireland to Great Britain
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. D...
NCTS Outage Notification 18th November 7.30am
Monday 18th November 2024 between 07.30am- 08.30am. Planned maintenance activities will be undertaken on the NCTS live service on Monday 18th November 2024:N...
NCTS Slow Service Monday 21st October 2024 between 07.30am- 08.30am.
Planned maintenance activities will be undertaken on the NCTS live service on Monday 21st October 2024: NCTS XI 7:30am-8:00am NCTS GB 8:00am-8:30am The service...
Safety & Security EU waiver extended until 31 January 2025.
The waiver for import requirements for goods from the EU (and other territories that did not have requirements before 1 January 2021) has been extended until 31...
IT Disruption causing Delay at the borders - Defra Statement
Notification has been received today from Defra "There has been an IT incident relating to an external provider on the evening of 8 October. The issue has now b...
Introduction of PHEATS for Ware potatoes
Ware potato exporters can now use the Plant Health Exports Audited Trader Scheme (PHEATS) to help with their exports. PHEATS is a trade facilitation scheme for...
Salmonella umbilo Outbreak - UK distribution
There is a current and ongoing outbreak of Salmonella umbilo reported both in RASFF notifications as positive tests and as public health issues . As of late Sep...
Confirmation of Inspection Frequencies for Non-Woody Plants for UK Edible Horticultural Crops
FPC received confirmation from Defra on 25th September 2024 relating to the inspection frequencies for Non-woody plants being imported into the UK. The statemen...
Requirement for all ware potato growers to be registered with APHA in England and Wales
Over the coming weeks APHA will be working with key potato stakeholders across England and Wales to ensure all ware potato growers are aware of existing plant h...
Defra Call for Comments on Large Plants / Machinery inspection at BCP / IC's and CP's
We would like to notify you of a call for comments on the proposal to introduce a derogation from the minimum designation requirements at Border Control Posts, ...
Windsor Framework Update - Customs Requirements Delay until 31 March 2025
The Trader Support Service announced yesterday that the new arrangements under the Windsor Framework for parcels and freight movements that were envisaged to co...
FPC Interpretation Guide to Medium Risk A & B EU Fresh Produce Categories
The UK Government have now released all information relating to the finalised SPS controls of Medium Risk Fruit & Vegetables being imported into the UK from...
Defra Announce Changes to Medium Risk Fruit & Vegetable Products
After further scientific review of commodities across all plant and plant product risk categories, there will be changes to the risk categorisation of certain p...
Fruit & Vegetable Marketing Scheme Derogation Extended
The Fruit & Vegetable Marketing Standards derogation has been extended.The derogation on the requirement for marketing standards Certificates of Conformity...
Trader Support Service extended to end of 2025
A competitive procurement exercise for the free support service for businesses moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will begin by early 2025....
Organics COI requirement extended to 1 February 2027
Defra Organics today announced that the derogation on the requirement for Certificates of Inspection for organic goods entering GB from the EU, EEA and Switzerl...
Defra Confirm extension of easement for Medium Risk Fruit & Vegetables to 1 July 2025
After many months of lobbying, FPc today received the following communication from Defra, "I am emailing to notify you of a change to the current BTOM timeline...
NCTS Maintenance 28th Sept - DOWNTIME
HMRC will be carrying out essential maintenance to the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) XI & GB channels, on Saturday 28th September 2024, timings as ...
Tariff Suspension - Opportunity to comment until 25th Sept
The ‘objections window’ has now opened for four weeks to give opportunity for parties to raise concerns about any applications regarding the below. See the full...
Labelling requirements for certain products moving from GB to retail premises in NI under the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme
On 9th June 2023, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published guidance on labelling requirements for certain products moving from Great Bri...
High Risk Plant dossiers for exports to the EU and Northern Ireland - DEFRA Update
Over the last 3 years Defra worked with a group of stakeholders to submit the technical dossiers required to initiate the process of obtaining derogations from ...
Northern Ireland Round Up of Information and Contacts
Please find an attachment which outlines a recent change to the NI HRFNAO amendments - there is a removal of a range of products from Annex 1, as well as a numb...
HMRC BSI Customs Intermediary Voluntary Standard - Technical Author Required
In December 2023, HMRC announced our intention to develop a voluntary standard for customs intermediaries Introducing a voluntary standard for customs intermedi...
NCTS5 Great Britain (GB) has gone live
HMRC recently confirmed that the GB NCTS4 service would cut over to the new NCTS5 service from 6am on 01 July 2024.They have just announced the GB service has...
Claim back Import Duty and VAT on Damaged Imports
A new online service for repayment or remission claims for declarations made in the Customs Declaration Service has been added. Use the Customs Declaration Serv...
Defra Farm Business Survey results 2022
An overview of the horticultural industry in the United Kingdom (UK) using external data, including government published statistics and information from the pre...
Guidance on CDS / IPAFFS 'No Match'
HMRC and Defra have developed the attached technical comms products – the products provide technical detail on how to prevent and resolve ‘no match’ scenarios b...
Ripened Banana Exemption for Certificate of Conformity
Defra have now confirmed that those businesses who wish to import bananas for human consumption on which the ripening process has been initiated can be declared...
NCTS 5 - Preparatory Webinar 19th June 13.00pm
As you may be aware the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) Phase 5 (NCTS5) is to be introduced shortly. To prepare users for this change, HMRC are conductin...
Government Unveils Major Packaging of Farming and Food Sector Support
FPC's CEO Nigel Jenney attended the Farm to Fork summit at 10 Downing Street, where the Prime Minister laid out a clear ambition to grow our fruit and vegetable...