Guidance

17 April 2026: Amendments to process for returning consignments rejected at EU BCPs

Updated 20 April 2026

OVS note number:  2026/24

Date: 17th April 2026

Purpose

To inform OVSs of changes to the process for returning consignments rejected at EU Border Control Posts (BCPs).

Background

On 31 March this Trader Notice was issued to outline the changes affecting traders.

The current process for returning consignments rejected at EU BCPs requires exporters to notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of their intention to return goods. APHA then commissions risk assessments from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS) or APHA, depending on the origin and commodity, before issuing an authorisation for the goods to return, with or without passing through a GB BCP. Once back at the establishment of origin, the goods must be inspected by the relevant competent authority (e.g., the FSA or the local authority).

Starting from 20 April 2026, goods rejected at an EU BCP can return to GB using the same process as those rejected in non-EU countries, by returning to GB via an appropriately designated GB BCP.

Information for OVSs

From 20 April 2026, GB BCPs should expect to see an increase in the number of traders returning rejected consignments to GB via a BCP. The Import Information Note will be updated to reflect these changes.

The returning consignment must be pre-notified using the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS), with the ‘re-entry’ box selected and declared. Returning consignments will require the uploading of the EU BCP rejection notice to the IPAFFS declaration, as well as other relevant documentation, including a copy of the original Export Health Certificate.

The trader must provide evidence of the IPAFFS notification to the EU BCP for them to release the consignment. EU BCPs have been asked to ensure that goods are released only where the IPAFFS notification states “re-entry”, to ensure that all returning consignments are correctly declared and that IPAFFS will automatically select them for inspection at the BCP.

All returns must undergo documentary and identity checks and may undergo physical checks where required. If a consignment has been rejected at the EU BCP for a documentary or administrative fault, the GB BCP should not reject the consignment for the same error.

Returning consignments of ABP require a declaration from the competent authority of the consignment’s destination. Traders have been advised to attach this to their IPAFFS notification.

• For consignments returning to England, a declaration will be added to Section 5 of the Import Information Note.
• For consignments returning to Wales and Scotland, the trader must contact APHA to obtain the declaration.

Where a consignment has been split by the EU BCP, it is permitted to return to GB via a different transport vehicle from the one used for export (except from certain animal by-products) provided that:

• the CHED accurately reflects the goods returning, including the correct commodity details and weight; and
• the required documentation set out under Article 3(2) of assimilated Regulation 2019/2074 and/or Annex XIV Chapter VI of Regulation (EU) 142/2011 accompanies the consignment.

Where consignments are presented without prenotification, BCPs should exercise their usual enforcement procedures.

Using the BCP route will be both quicker and cheaper for traders and we have advised that this should be their primary means of returning consignments, although the APHA authorisation process remains available. Consignments returning from the island of Ireland will continue to use the APHA authorisation process due to the lack of west coast BCPs currently available.

Traders returning consignments will not be able to use both processes simultaneously. For example, if a returning consignment is rejected by a GB BCP, it will not be permitted to switch to the APHA authorisation process, although the trader may appeal the GB BCPs decision through their usual appeals process. When contacting APHA, traders will be asked to declare the current physical location of consignments. Goods already at a GB BCP will automatically be denied an authorisation from APHA.

Failing to present re-imported consignments to the designated BCP is an offence under Regulation 39 of the Trade in Animals and Related Products Regulations 2011 and equivalent legislation in Scotland, unless importers have an authorisation from APHA that exempts them from having to present their goods at a BCP. Port Health Authorities or Local Authorities, depending on where the goods are located, are the enforcement authorities responsible for enforcing these regulations.

Contact point for enquiries

Email: imports@apha.gov.uk

Imports and EU Trade Team