How is IPAFFS linked to the customs CDS declaration?

Sep 2, 2025

For goods that are subject to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls, customs clearance in the UK depends on more than just fiscal and tariff compliance. The customs system, CDS (Customs Declaration Service), must be able to verify that the consignment has been...

What is a UNN (Unique Notification Number) and how is it used?

Sep 2, 2025

When an importer or their agent submits a notification in IPAFFS, the system automatically generates a UNN – Unique Notification Number. This number is more than just a reference: it is the key identifier that links together the pre-notification, the Common Health...

What information is required to create an IPAFFS notification?

Sep 2, 2025

Creating a correct IPAFFS notification requires collecting and entering a comprehensive set of details about the consignment. Each piece of information serves a purpose: it allows the UK authorities to identify the goods, match them with the correct health or...

How far in advance must a pre-notification be submitted?

Sep 2, 2025

Pre-notification through IPAFFS is not just a formal requirement, it is the foundation on which the UK’s sanitary and phytosanitary controls operate. The basic rule is straightforward: the importer or their agent must submit the notification at least one working day...

What CHED documents are required and when?

Sep 2, 2025

In the United Kingdom, a CHED – Common Health Entry Document – continues to exist, but it is generated and managed exclusively through the IPAFFS system. After Brexit, the UK no longer uses the European TRACES NT platform. Instead, IPAFFS is the single national portal...