A Common Health Entry Document for products of animal origin. It is raised in IPAFFS for Great Britain or TRACES NT for Ireland, and the goods can only move into free circulation once the Border Control Post has finalised the CHED as “cleared”.

How far in advance must POAO be pre-notified in IPAFFS?

As a general rule, at least 24 hours before arrival for most POAO. For some movements, such as certain Ro-Ro ferry traffic, a shorter minimum of 4 to 6 hours may apply, but plan for the 24-hour window to avoid late fees or delays.

Do wild-caught fish imports need a catch certificate?

Yes, a catch certificate is required for many imports into the EU and UK. It proves the fish were caught legally under IUU rules. For Ireland it runs through the EU CATCH system in TRACES NT; for Great Britain it is submitted to the Marine Management Organisation or relevant UK authority, usually at least three working days before arrival for sea freight.

What happens at a Border Control Post?

A typical veterinary check has three elements: documentary checks on the certificate, CHED and invoice; identity checks that the load matches the paperwork; and, where required, physical checks such as temperature checks or sampling for laboratory analysis.

Do EU fruit and vegetables need plant-health checks entering Great Britain?

Currently they are temporarily treated as low-risk for plant-health purposes, so they do not require plant-health controls. Marketing-standard controls for EU produce are not expected before 1 February 2027. This is a temporary position, so monitor official updates before planning future supply chains.

Food customs specialists

POAO, fish, fresh produce and the TRACES and IPAFFS entries that go with them, for food moving into and out of the UK and Ireland.

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Overview

Food is our core business

Customs Wise specialises in supporting the food industry, with over half of our business being food and POAO clearances.

We have over thirty years of experience supporting businesses importing and exporting food and beverages. Our dedicated food team has in-depth technical knowledge across a wide range of products and agricultural commodities.

Products we clear

Meat
Dairy
Eggs
Fish and shellfish
Honey
Gelatine
Composite products
Fresh produce
Processed foods

Why it matters

Why food needs a specialist broker

Moving food through customs is often more complex than standard goods, due to additional documentation requirements, TRACES and IPAFFS entries and a higher likelihood of inspections.

More documents
Health certificates, phytosanitary certificates, catch certificates and CHEDs sit alongside the standard customs declaration.
Pre-notification deadlines
Controlled consignments must be pre-notified in IPAFFS or TRACES NT before arrival, within set time windows.
Higher chance of inspection
Documentary, identity and physical checks can be carried out at an approved Border Control Post before release.
Perishable goods
Temperature control, shelf life and port timing are critical, so everything needs to be in place before arrival.

Using a specialist broker ensures maximum efficiency, so your goods are cleared as quickly and compliantly as possible.

What we handle

Food customs capabilities

Import and export

Great Britain and Ireland run different systems

The process depends on the commodity, its origin, the country of dispatch and the destination, not simply the route the vehicle takes.

Into Great Britain
IPAFFS
- All commercial POAO imports must be pre-notified in IPAFFS, from both EU and non-EU countries.
- Pre-notify at least 24 hours before arrival for most POAO. Some Ro-Ro traffic may allow 4 to 6 hours.
- POAO pass through an approved Border Control Post, where Port Health carries out SPS controls.
- EU fresh fruit and vegetables are temporarily treated as low-risk for plant health. Monitor official updates.
Into Ireland
TRACES NT
- CHED-P is created in TRACES NT and linked to the health certificate (and the CATCH entry for fish).
- The HSE or Department of Agriculture verifies the file before arrival at the BCP.
- Regulated plant products from outside the EU, including Great Britain, need a CHED-PP and 24 hours’ notice to DAFM.
- Wild-caught fish are validated by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority through CATCH.
Exporting food
Certificates
- Most fruit and vegetables exported from Great Britain to the EU need a phytosanitary certificate.
- Produce under the Specific Marketing Standard also needs a certificate of conformity.
- Irish exporters to non-EU destinations register with DAFM; allow at least 14 days’ notice for phytosanitary certificates.
- Re-exported produce may need to meet both UK and EU rules; the original country of production still matters.

Full detail in our guides to POAO, CATCH certificates and fresh produce.

How it works

How we clear a controlled food consignment

We handle the full process, so the health certificate, CHED, customs declaration and the goods all match.

Step 1: Certificates checked
We review the health certificate (or phytosanitary certificate for composite products and produce) against current UK and EU requirements.
Step 2: CHED raised
We raise the CHED in IPAFFS for Great Britain or TRACES NT for Ireland, with product codes, weights and certificate references consistent.
Step 3: Pre-notified on time
Pre-notifications are submitted within the correct time window to avoid late fees and holds at the BCP.
Step 4: Checks coordinated
We coordinate documentary, identity and physical checks with Port Health and the HSE, and respond quickly to queries or sampling requests.
Step 5: Cleared and aligned
The CHED, customs declaration and any CATCH entry tell the same story, so the goods can move into free circulation.

Documentation

What your consignment may need

The exact set depends on the product, its origin and destination. We confirm it for your shipment before goods move.

Health certificate or export health certificate
Phytosanitary certificate for plant products
Common Health Entry Document (CHED-P, CHED-PP or CHED-D)
Validated catch certificate for wild-caught fish
Certificate of conformity where the Specific Marketing Standard applies
Commercial invoice and packing list
Transport documents
Correct commodity code, botanical name and evidence of origin

Which CHED does my consignment need?

A Common Health Entry Document (CHED) accompanies controlled food consignments through the Border Control Post.

Document	Used for
CHED-P	Products of animal origin, such as meat, dairy, eggs, fish and honey
CHED-PP	Regulated plants and plant products, including many fresh fruits and vegetables
CHED-D	Food or feed of non-animal origin under enhanced food-safety controls, such as pesticide residue checks

Common challenges

Where food shipments get held, and how we prevent it

Paperwork doesn’t match the load
Any mismatch between the health certificate, CHED and the goods can lead to holds, additional testing or refusal of entry.
We align every document before arrival.
Late pre-notification
Missing the pre-notification window can mean late fees or delays at the BCP.
We manage notifications within the correct time windows.
Wrong entry point or missing certificates
Arriving at an unsuitable inspection point, or without the right certificates, can cause delays, extra cost, product deterioration or rejection.
We confirm the documents and entry point before goods move.

FAQs

Food customs questions

General customs FAQs

In-depth guides

Food customs guides

Practical guidance on the rules for each type of food consignment.

Moving food into the UK or Ireland?

Our food team handles certificates, CHEDs, pre-notifications and BCP checks.

Make an Enquiry Call Us

Food customs specialists

Food is our core business

Products we clear

Why food needs a specialist broker

More documents

Pre-notification deadlines

Higher chance of inspection

Perishable goods

Food customs capabilities

Great Britain and Ireland run different systems

Into Great Britain

Into Ireland

Exporting food

How we clear a controlled food consignment

Step 1: Certificates checked

Step 2: CHED raised

Step 3: Pre-notified on time

Step 4: Checks coordinated

Step 5: Cleared and aligned

What your consignment may need

Which CHED does my consignment need?

Where food shipments get held, and how we prevent it

Paperwork doesn’t match the load

Late pre-notification

Wrong entry point or missing certificates

Food customs questions

What is a CHED-P?

How far in advance must POAO be pre-notified in IPAFFS?

Do wild-caught fish imports need a catch certificate?

What happens at a Border Control Post?

Do EU fruit and vegetables need plant-health checks entering Great Britain?

Food customs guides

Products of animal origin

CATCH certificates

Fresh produce

Related services

Moving food into the UK or Ireland?