Publication
Exporting to the UK from Ireland
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Services and information
Departments and publications
About gov.ie
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Since 1 January 2021, things have changed for our agri-food industry, particularly for importers and exporters of agri-food products. As the UK is no longer in the EU Customs Union or Single Market, it now sets the import requirements for products into Great Britain.
The UK has however adopted a phased approach to the implementation of these import requirements, including sanitary and phytosanitary SPS controls.
Since 1 January 2021 EU exporters have been required to pre-notify exports to the UK authorities using the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) or to avail of temporary storage at the point of import while import formalities are completed. Certain limited categories of plant and animal products, which the UK considers to be high risk (e.g. live animals, germinal products and high risk plants and plant products), also require pre-notification to UK authorities using Imports of Products, Animal, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS) by the UK importer, and the relevant Export Health Certificate, issued by the Department to be provided for the consignment.
On the 28 of April 2022 the UK government announced that the remaining import controls for agri-food goods, which were due to come into place later in 2022 would be postponed.
Controls that had already been introduced remained in place.
On the 5th of April 2023, the UK Government released a draft of its new Border Target Operating Model (TOM) document. This sets out an overview of the UK’s new approach to control imports of agri-food goods from the EU including new timelines commencing on 31 October 2023 (further details of these requirements are set out below).
If you have any queries in relation to export certification, please contact BrexitCall@agriculture.gov.ie
A range of Government supports are available, including training and grants, to help your business deal with these changes. A link to these supports is available here .
It is also important to note that you will also need to engage with your UK importer and with the UK authorities.
Since 1 January 2021, new regulatory and customs requirements are part of trading with or through the UK (excl. NI). There are a number of tasks those trading with the UK may need to comply with depending on their business and procedures.
Most traders will need to register with one or more government organisations. Traders need to examine each area set out in this section to check if they apply to their business.
In particular exporters requiring certification for products being exported to the UK (excl. NI) need to register to access the Department’s online export platforms.
The Department's online registration form here provides a quick and easy way to register to import or export.
For any queries on completing the registration process, contact BrexitRegistration@agriculture.gov.ie .
Current clients of the Department, who are continuing to trade with the UK should update their registration by clicking on the online registration form to indicate whether they are importers (the operator responsible for the consignment) and/or exporters.
The Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) is the European Commission’s online platform for the sanitary and phytosanitary certification required for:
• The importation of animals, animal products, food and feed of non-animal origin and plants into the European Union
• intra-EU trade
• EU exports of animals and certain animal products
If you are trading in live animals or products of animal origin, the operator responsible for the consignment will also need access to the online system TRACES.
When you register as an Importer or Exporter with the Department, TRACES registration will be initiated for you. See our TRACES page for more details or email BrexitRegistration@agriculture.gov.ie for help.
Since 1 January 2021, you need an EORI number to move goods from, through or to the UK (excl. NI).
The Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number allows businesses to import or export with countries outside the European Union. To obtain an EORI number, companies can register directly through Revenue
You may also need to register with/notify the Environmental Health Service (EHS) of the Health Service Executive (HSE) in relation to the import and export of food products of non-animal origin.
If an export certificate is required for foods of non-animal origin or a food business wishes to notify the HSE, this facility is available through the HSE online service .
The requirements and procedures for exporting the following animals and commodities to the UK (excl. NI) since 1 January 2021 are set down below:
On the 5th of April 2023, the UK Government released a draft of its new Border Target Operating Model (TOM) document. This sets out an overview of the UK’s new approach to control imports of agri-food goods from the EU. The TOM outlines the customs, controls and documentary requirements including Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and IUU requirements, which will apply to businesses exporting products to the UK from the EU. The main changes announced can be summarised as follows:
• From 31 October 2023, the prenotification of imports on the UK’s SPS import system (IPAFFS) will apply to all Irish SPS goods.
• From 31 October 2023, there will be a requirement for export health certification of imports to GB from the EU.
• a date for the application of Border Control / entry controls (identity and physical inspections) for Irish SPS goods moving to GB is not set out in draft TOM.
This will apply to a wider range of agri-food goods than is currently the case, including products of animal origin and all regulated plants and plant products. It will be based on a risk categorisation of high, medium, and low risk as defined by UK Government, depending on country of origin and product definition.
All risk levels will still require the submission Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS) to notify authorities before the goods arrive in Great Britain.
Low Risk
• Do not need an export health certificate.
• Require a commercial document from the supplier.
Medium Risk
• From 31 October 2023 the consignment must have an export health certificate issued by the competent authority in the country where the goods originate, or an official importer declaration (where applicable).
• From 31 January 2024 may be subject to physical import checks. A date for application of Border Control Post SPS entry controls (identity and physical inspection controls) for Irish goods moving to GB is not yet set out in the current draft TOM but there is a commitment to defining this in final version of TOM to issue in June 2023.
High risk
• The consignment must have a health certificate issued by the competent authority in the country where the goods originate.
• Most high-risk consignments are already subject to physical import checks. These will continue after 31 October 2023.
Health Certificates
On the 28th of April 2023, the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published new/revised UK Export Health Certificates, (EHCs) for the EU, including Irish products. These certificates will replace those previously issued by the UK Government under the UK’s previous Border Operating Model and these new UK certificates must be used from 31st October 2023 for export of EU agri-food goods to Great Britain.
If you have any queries in relation to export certification, please contact BrexitCall@agriculture.gov.ie
For up-to-date information on moving goods using the GB landbridge please click here .
The UK Government has set out its general guidance for EU businesses wishing to export goods into the UK here . This webpage will be updated as further guidance is issued by the UK authorities. The responsible UK authority is the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Watch our latest Brexit webinars and presentations on our YouTube video series: