Importing fresh produce into the UK: customs clearance
Customs clearance for fresh produce means declaring goods to HMRC and to the plant health authorities so a consignment is released rather than held at the border. For perishables, speed is key.
Before you import at all
You need a GB EORI number to import into Great Britain. The application process is straightforward and we can walk you through it over a video call.
What has to happen, in order
Most of the work can actually happen before the goods arrive.
Colour coding indicates which party is responsible for each step.
Establish the commodity requirements. Check what your specific commodity from your specific country of origin needs. Requirements differ by both, and may change periodically.
Obtain the phytosanitary certificate. Issued in the country of export, before the goods leave. It cannot be obtained retrospectively.
Pre-notify on IPAFFS (Import of Products, Animals, Food, and Feed System). Submitted ahead of arrival, within the notice period set for the commodity type.
File the customs declaration. Submitted on the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), ideally before the vessel berths. CDS is HMRC's platform for import and export declarations.
Border checks, if selected. Documentary, identity or physical, at a Border Control Post.
Settle duty and VAT. Through a deferment account or Postponed VAT Accounting, so payment does not hold up release.
Some common useful terms
The four you'll meet most often on a produce import. There are more in our cold chain and customs glossary.
IPAFFS pre-notification
IPAFFS is the UK government's online service for notifying authorities in advance about imports of plants, plant products, animals and animal products into Great Britain. The notice period depends on the commodity type. Missing it, or submitting a notification that doesn't match the paperwork, is one of the most common reasons a produce consignment sits at the border.
Phytosanitary certificates
A phytosanitary certificate is an official document issued by the plant health authority in the exporting country, confirming a consignment meets the importing country's plant health requirements. It's issued before the goods leave and cannot be obtained retrospectively. Verify with your grower that they can get one before a season starts, not once the fruit is picked.
Border Control Post checks
A Border Control Post is a designated inspection facility where imported plants and plant products are checked before release: documentary, identity or physical. Not every consignment is physically checked. Selection is risk based, depending on the commodity's risk category under the Border Target Operating Model.
Duty and VAT
A duty deferment account lets duty and import VAT be settled monthly by direct debit rather than consignment by consignment. Canopi holds one clients can use. Postponed VAT Accounting lets a VAT-registered importer account for import VAT on their VAT return instead of paying it at the border, though on most fresh produce there is no import VAT to postpone, since unprocessed food is generally zero rated.
Common questions
How long does customs clearance take for fresh produce?
Clearance can be near-immediate where the declaration and pre-notification are filed correctly and the consignment is not selected for a physical check. Filing ahead of arrival is what keeps the timeline short.
Do I need a phytosanitary certificate for my produce?
It depends on the commodity and the country of origin. Regulated plants and plant products generally require one, issued before the goods leave. Risk categories are revised periodically, so confirm the current requirement rather than assuming last season's position still applies.
What is the difference between CDS and IPAFFS?
They are separate systems doing separate jobs. CDS is HMRC's customs declaration platform, dealing with duty, VAT and commercial details. IPAFFS is the pre-notification system for plant and animal health authorities, dealing with biosecurity. A produce import generally needs both.
Can I import produce without my own duty deferment account?
Yes. Canopi holds a deferment account clients can use, so duty and import VAT are settled through our account rather than holding your consignment while a payment clears.
What happens if my consignment is selected for a physical check?
The goods are taken to a Border Control Post and examined, and may be sampled. Selection is risk based, and we handle the paperwork around it so the consignment isn't held longer than it needs to be.
Which ports does Canopi clear at?
London Gateway, Tilbury, Felixstowe, Southampton, Portsmouth, Dover and Liverpool for sea freight, and any UK airport for airfreight.
Last reviewed: August 2026. Border requirements change so check gov.uk for the current position, or ask us and we'll confirm it for your consignment.