How is IPAFFS linked to the customs CDS declaration?

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 correctly pre-notified in IPAFFS. The two systems communicate through specific references and document codes. Without this link, customs will not allow the goods to be released, even if the duty has been calculated and paid.
The connection begins when a notification is submitted in IPAFFS. Once all required data are entered and supporting certificates uploaded, the system generates a CHED (Common Health Entry Document) with a Unique Notification Number (UNN). This number is the key to linking the IPAFFS notification to the customs declaration. Each UNN is unique to a shipment, and each must be included in the CDS declaration for the corresponding commodity line.
When preparing the customs declaration, the declarant enters the UNN into the CDS system using a document code appropriate to the type of goods. For example, a CHED-P (products of animal origin) is linked with one code, a CHED-D (high-risk food not of animal origin) with another, and so on. These codes tell customs what type of notification to expect, and the UNN provides the unique reference. This combination enables CDS to cross-check with IPAFFS automatically. If the UNN is missing or incorrect, the customs declaration will be held until the problem is corrected.
This process relies on the Automatic Licence Verification System (ALVS), which acts as the bridge between HMRC (responsible for customs) and DEFRA (responsible for SPS notifications). When a customs declaration is submitted, ALVS queries IPAFFS to see if there is a matching UNN. It checks whether the commodity codes, weights and package counts declared in CDS match those in the IPAFFS record. If everything matches and the IPAFFS notification has been accepted, customs will place the entry on hold pending the outcome of any required inspection. Once the inspection is complete and the CHED is finalised as satisfactory in IPAFFS, ALVS automatically clears the hold in CDS, and the consignment is released.
If there is a mismatch, for example because the weight in the customs declaration differs from the weight in the IPAFFS notification, the link will fail. This creates a “no match” error, which can only be resolved by correcting one or both entries. Such mismatches are a frequent cause of clearance delays, and they highlight the importance of consistency between all documents. Commodity codes, descriptions, quantities and certificates must align exactly in both systems.
For importers, this means that IPAFFS and CDS are two parts of the same clearance process. It is not enough to focus only on customs duties and taxes, nor only on sanitary controls. Both must be completed, and they must be linked correctly through the UNN. A complete customs declaration for SPS goods must always include the right document codes and the exact UNN reference from IPAFFS.
In practical operations, professional agents ensure that these links are accurate. Franzosini & Butti Ltd in Dover handles both IPAFFS and customs clearance for many clients. Their process is integrated: once they submit a notification in IPAFFS and obtain the UNN, they immediately use it to prepare the customs entry. They double-check that commodity codes and quantities match in both systems, eliminating one of the main sources of error. By doing this, they guarantee that when border inspections are completed and the CHED is marked satisfactory, customs clearance can proceed automatically without additional intervention.
The advantage of this integration is clear. Importers who rely on separate providers for IPAFFS and customs sometimes face problems if one side does not pass information accurately to the other. Delays can occur if the UNN is miscommunicated or if data entries are inconsistent. With an integrated approach, where a single agent manages both systems, the risk is greatly reduced. Franzosini & Butti offers this “one-stop” service, making the IPAFFS–CDS link seamless.
In summary, IPAFFS and CDS are directly connected through the UNN and specific document codes. Customs cannot release regulated consignments without a valid IPAFFS notification, and IPAFFS notifications cannot achieve their purpose unless linked to the customs declaration. For importers, ensuring this link is correct is essential. With experienced agents like Franzosini & Butti Ltd, the process becomes routine: every notification is paired with the correct customs entry, and every consignment moves smoothly from pre-notification to inspection to customs clearance.