Guidance

How to save and upload a CSV file for IPAFFS (plants and plant products)

Updated 16 August 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ipaffs-upload-commodity-details-using-a-csv-file/how-to-save-and-upload-a-csv-file-for-ipaffs-plants-and-plant-products

How to save a CSV file for IPAFFS

  1. Download the IPAFFS commodity details template in either Excel (.xlsx) or OpenDocument (.ods) format. Both file formats have identical content. OpenDocument format is a free, accessible file format for spreadsheets.

  2. Import the CSV template file using spreadsheet software, such as Excel, Numbers, OpenOffice Calc, Google sheets or similar. If you’re using Numbers on an Apple Mac, use the Excel (.xlsx) file type.

  3. Enter your information into the CSV template exactly as shown in the guidance on how to complete the file for IPAFFS.

  4. Save the completed file in CSV format. For help, refer to your spreadsheet tool’s user guide.

How to upload a completed CSV file

Continuing a notification

If you’re signed in, return to IPAFFS and follow the instructions on screen to upload your completed CSV file.

If you’ve signed out of IPAFFS, you’ll need to start a new notification.

Starting a new notification

  1. Sign in to IPAFFS using your Government Gateway account.

  2. From the IPAFFS dashboard, start a new import notification by selecting ‘Create a new notification’.

  3. Select the option ‘Plants, plant products and other objects’ and continue creating your import notification.

  4. When you’re asked how you want to enter your commodity details, select the option to upload a CSV file, then follow the instructions on screen.

How to fix any errors in your CSV file

When you upload your CSV file to IPAFFS, the service will check the data and highlight any errors for you to fix.

If you need to fix errors, it’s important that you make the changes to your spreadsheet (.xlsx or .ods) file, and save it in CSV format again.

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