Guidance

Plant imports: authorised border control posts in the UK

A list of places where you can bring consignments of plants, seeds and produce into the UK, including ports and airports.

From:
Animal and Plant Health Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
26 May 2015
Last updated
25 April 2024 — See all updates

Documents

Plant imports: authorised border control posts in the UK

HTML

Map: plant imports authorised border control posts in the UK

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1qN6zDL0pX7NrIr46X3gOV265vw4odirS&ll=53.74965855755621%2C-5.59689486282651&z=7

Details

A list of border control posts (BCPs) for plants imported to the UK.

If you’re a port or airport operator and interested in building new or modifying existing border control posts, read guidance on applying to set up a BCP.

This information is also available as an interactive map.

Published 26 May 2015
Last updated 25 April 2024 + show all updates

  1. We have removed other objects from the entries for Hull, Killingholme, Newhaven, and Plymouth. The entry name for Immingham has also been updated. The entry for Motis FAS (Dover Harbour second entry) has been removed. We have added new entries for Grimsby and Immingham, Hull, Killingholme, Newhaven, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Purfleet, Sevington, and Tilbury 2 Ro Ro.

  2. Added Port of Tyne BCP North Shields to the list of border control posts.

  3. Added operating hours of border control posts from 30 April 2024.

  4. Removed A Gomez from the list of authorised Control Point.

  5. Updated to remove the Avonmouth entry and replace it with the Royal Portbury Dock entry.

  6. Updated details for Royal Portbury Dock.

  7. Removed the BAA Heathrow border control post: CFL - Courier Freight Limited. Updated control post entry for Pentalver Transport Limited.

  8. Updated the details for Associated British Ports, Silloth.

  9. Updated details for London Thames Port on Plants list.

  10. Removed Perishable Movements Limited (Spalding, Lincolnshire) from the list of authorised border control posts.

  11. Updated the port of Poole's details.

  12. Removed WFS (BA) Gatwick from the list 'Plant imports: authorised border control posts in the UK'.

  13. Removed 'P' and 'OO' from Tees and Hartlepool Port Authority Limited entry.

  14. For Harwich BCP, changed the opening times to 07:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday. Removed weekend opening times as the inspection won't be open at weekends.

  15. On the entry for Harwich International Port Ltd/Harwich Inspection Building 'PP/WP' has been removed from the Categories of animals and goods and specifications.

  16. New Harwich entry added for Plant imports: authorised border control posts in the UK.

  17. Removed 'Doncaster Sheffield' from the list 'Plant imports: authorised border control posts in the UK'.

  18. We have changed the name of the New Holland BCP to the HES Humber Bulk Terminal.

  19. On the list of Border Control Points (BCP) - Changed the name of 'Felixstowe Docks and Railway' to 'Port of Felixstowe' and updated its inspection centre details. Added new BCP entry for 'Teesside International Airport Limited',

  20. Removed 'Dnata West Point' from the list 'Plant imports: authorised border control posts in the UK'.

  21. Removed Toll Global Forwarding Group (UK) Limited and Pauls Freight Services from the list of control points.

  22. Added WB Chambers Farms Ltd to the control points table.

  23. Updated the opening hours for Port of Tilbury London Ltd.

  24. Changes have been made for the border control post at Associated British Ports, Immingham. Plants (P) and plant products (PP) have been removed from the categories of animals and goods and specifications.

  25. Additions to control points: JZ Flowers and Rhodes Freight Services Ltd.

  26. Updated the email address and telephone numbers for Parcelforce Worldwide.

  27. Fedex Express UK inspection centre at East Midlands Airport removed from list.

  28. Parcelforce Worldwide has been moved from the Border Control Point section of the list to the Control Point section.

  29. Updated Parcelforce Worldwide's record.

  30. Updated control points list to show Mentfield has changed company name to International Cargo Logistics Limited and changed address.

  31. The following updates were made to the list: Border control posts: - updated the Port of Tilbury Ltd record - Added Buckie Harbour, Port of Burntisland and Scotline Terminal Transit Ltd as new BCP's Control points: - Added a new control point for Perishable Movements Limited (PML) in Hythe, Kent

  32. Border control post Port of Poole amended to add inspection centre and designations. Added new control points, A Gomez and Barfoots of Botley (Bognor Regis).

  33. Ellesmere Port added to list of designated BCPs. Dnata City East Unit 1 and Worldwide Flight Services Ltd (Stanwell) added to list of Control Points.

  34. Border control posts: - Althorpe and Killingholme added to list - Glasgow Prestwick International Airport and Middlesbrough removed from list Control points: - Bring Cargo Limited, Freight Logistics Warehousing Limited and Rix Shipping Limited added to list. - Althorpe removed from list

  35. Added ASC Cargo Handling to the control points section.

  36. Updated BCP Portsmouth port entry to Portico Shipping Ltd.

  37. Added Berry farms Ltd to the authorised border control post list.

  38. Added Perishable Movements Ltd in Lincolnshire to the list of control points.

  39. New BCP added for Manchester Airport with contact details.

  40. Removed Killingholme as a listing. Added a BCP listing for Royal Portbury Dock.

  41. Added contact details for port authorities interested in building new or modifying existing border control posts.

  42. Updated list of BCPs for plant products

  43. List updated

  44. First published.

Part of Get UK customs clearance when importing goods into the UK: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you need to follow this process

    Follow these steps to get your goods for import through UK customs if you’re managing the process yourself.

    Getting customs clearance is complicated. You can hire a transporter or customs agent to make the import declaration and get your goods through UK customs.

    1. Hire someone to deal with customs for you

    Your business must be ready to import the goods before you can get customs clearance.

    1. Find out about importing goods into the UK
    1. Check if you need to make an import declaration

  2. Step 2 Set up your business for making import declarations

    You need an EORI number that starts with GB to import goods into England, Wales or Scotland. You'll need a new one if you have an EORI that does not start with GB.

    If you move goods to or from Northern Ireland you may need one that starts with XI.

    1. Get an EORI number

    Depending on where you're moving goods, you need to be registered on the right systems and have compatible software to make declarations.

    1. Check what systems and software you need to make declarations

  3. Step 3 Check if you can make the customs process quicker

    There are processes that can make clearing customs quicker and easier to manage if you have to make import declarations regularly.

    1. Find out about using simplified declaration procedures
    2. Check if Authorised Economic Operator status is right for you

    If you're importing goods from the EU to England, Scotland or Wales (Great Britain) you might be able to delay making a declaration for up to 6 months.

    1. Check if you can declare your goods later if you're importing goods from the EU

    If you regularly import goods using Common Transit, you can apply to start movements of goods at your own premises.

    1. Check if consignee status is right for your business

  4. Step 4 Register to import goods with restrictions

    You need to register as an importer if you import things like plant or animal products, high-risk food or feed, medicines, textiles, chemicals or firearms.

    Register to import:

  5. Step 5 Check if you need a licence or certificate for your goods

    There are special rules and you may need to get licences or certificates if you are importing any of the following:

  6. and Check the labelling, marking and marketing rules

    1. Check the marking, labelling and marketing standards for food, plant seeds and manufactured goods

  7. Step 6 Arrange for the goods to be inspected

    If you import things like plant or animal products, you need to choose a place where the goods can be inspected. This needs to happen before they’re allowed through the UK border.

    1. Find an inspection point for animals and animal products
    2. You are currently viewing: Find an inspection point for plants, plant products, seeds and wood
    3. Find an inspection point for high risk food and feed that is not of animal origin
    4. Find an inspection point for endangered species, or products made from endangered plants or animals

    You need to let the inspection point know when the goods are arriving. You might have to pay a fee for the inspection.

  8. Step 7 Submit and manage the import declaration

    1. Find out how to submit import declarations
    2. Find out how to change or cancel an import declaration

    If you're importing goods from the EU to England, Scotland or Wales (Great Britain) you might be able to delay making a declaration for up to 6 months.

    1. Check if you can declare your goods later to make the importing process quicker

  9. Step 8 Pay VAT and duty

    HMRC will tell you how much to pay after you submit the declaration.

    1. Find out how and when to pay VAT and duty

  10. Step 9 Get the goods released if they're held up at the border

    The goods may be held at the border if, for example:

    • you have not paid the right amount of duty or VAT
    • you do not have the right import licences for the goods or business
    • they did not pass inspection
    • they've been combined with a shipment that has been held up

    If this happens you will be told why.

    1. Contact the National Clearance Hub to get help