Using the Northern Ireland Plant Health Label (NIPHL) scheme in the Trader Support Service

Learn how to use the Northern Ireland plant health label (NIPHL) scheme when moving plants, seeds for planting or other eligible goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland without a phytosanitary certificate.

Contents

Use this guidance if you are a grower or trader moving eligible plants, seeds, and used agricultural goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland that are ‘not at risk’ for onward movement to the EU. If you move agri-food products, for example, pre-packaged food to Northern Ireland from Great Britain, that are ‘not at risk’ for onward movement to the EU, check the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) instead. If your goods are ‘at risk’ of onward movement to the EU, you cannot use these schemes.

Use the Northern Ireland Online Tariff (opens in a new tab) to check if you need a document or licence to move your goods.

About the Northern Ireland plant health label (NIPHL) scheme

The NIPHL scheme allows authorised businesses to move eligible plant goods and machinery from Great Britain to Northern Ireland without a phytosanitary certificate.

The NIPHL scheme is based on the UK plant passport regime. A NIPHL provides traceability and confirms that the goods meet Northern Ireland plant health requirements under Regulation (EU) 2023/1231 (opens in a new tab).

Once authorised, businesses can issue and attach a NIPHL to eligible goods, instead of applying for a phytosanitary certificate for every consignment.

Find out more about the Northern Ireland plant health label (NIPHL) scheme (opens in a new tab).

Goods that can move under the NIPHL scheme

The NIPHL scheme may apply to the following types of goods:

  • plants and seeds for planting
  • seed potatoes for commercial growing, check the seed potato requirements
  • used agricultural and forestry machinery and vehicles (UAFM)

Conditions for using the NIPHL scheme

To use the NIPHL scheme:

  • the business sending the goods from Great Britain must be registered as a professional operator and authorised to issue NIPHLs
  • the Northern Ireland receiver must be registered as a professional operator with DAERA and have signed the NIPHL scheme declaration
  • the Northern Ireland receiver (or their agent) must submit a pre-notification through TRACES NT (opens in a new tab) before the goods arrive
  • goods moved must remain in Northern Ireland, if they will move onwards to another EU country, a phytosanitary certificate must be used instead
  • businesses must keep records of movements in case of audit

For more information, see:

Get authorised to use the NIPHL scheme

If you’re sending goods from Great Britain (consignor)

You must:

Apply through:

Find out more about how to get authorised to use NIPHLs (opens in a new tab).

For more information about the NIPHL scheme in Scotland, see SASA Northern Ireland Trade Guidance (opens in a new tab).

If you’re receiving goods in Northern Ireland (consignee)

You must:

Find out more about requirements for businesses in Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab).

Before the goods leave Great Britain

Check the requirements for the types of goods you are sending to Northern Ireland

There are different requirements depending on whether you are moving plants and seeds, seed potatoes, or used agricultural and forestry machinery.

Plants and seeds

You must:

Learn more about moving plants and seeds using NIPHLs (opens in a new tab).

Seed potatoes

You should check with the recipient of the seed potatoes in Northern Ireland:

You must notify APHA (opens in a new tab) if you’re in England or Wales and SASA (opens in a new tab) if you’re in Scotland of:

APHA or SASA will issue the required NIPHLs.

Once the labels have been attached, you must provide the Northern Ireland receiver with the information they need to complete the Common Health Entry Document for Plants and Plant Products (CHED-PP):

Learn more about moving seed potatoes using NIPHLs (opens in a new tab).

Used agricultural and forestry machinery

You must:

  • check the machinery is clean and free of soil or plant material
  • print and attach the NIPHL to each individual machine

Learn more about moving used agricultural and forestry machinery using NIPHLs (opens in a new tab).

Create your movement in the Trader Support Service

Traders moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under NIPHL can create their movement in the Trader Support Service.

The Northern Ireland trader, or their customs representative must submit a customs declaration in the service. They can either submit a standard declaration or use the Simplified Process for Internal Market Movements (SPIMM).

The declarant will be asked if the goods are controlled. Select ‘yes’, as plant health controls apply.

Entry summary declarations

Users or their hauliers must complete an entry summary declaration before the goods arrive in Northern Ireland.

Haulier responsibilities

The haulier must create a goods movement reference (GMR) using either:

Before the goods arrive in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland receiver (consignee)

The Northern Ireland receiver, or their agent, must:

  • use the information provided by the sender to complete the CHED-PP
  • create a CHED-PP in TRACES NT (opens in a new tab) to notify DAERA of the consignment details
  • submit the CHED-PP to pre-notify the consignment 24 hours before the goods arrive, or at least 4 hours if there are any transport limitations

Find information on how to create a CHED-PP (opens in a new tab).

Haulier responsibilities

The haulier:

  • must check the GMR inspection status
  • follow the instructions and report to the designated Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) inspection facility if selected for inspection
  • can continue to destination if no checks are required

If you’re not sure if an inspection is required, check if you need to report for an inspection (opens in a new tab).

When the goods arrive in Northern Ireland

DAERA may carry out plant health checks to ensure the goods meet Northern Ireland biosecurity requirements.

If the goods are selected for inspection:

  • follow the instructions provided by DAERA
  • attend the inspection facility
  • do not move the goods until the inspection has been completed

If your goods are not selected for inspection, they can continue to their destination.

Keep records

You must keep records of all plants and seeds you move under the NIPHL scheme. These records must provide suitable traceability and be kept for at least 3 years.

Find out what records you need to keep for audit (opens in a new tab).

Summary

To move eligible plants, plant products and used agricultural or forestry machinery from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under the Northern Ireland Plant Health Label (NIPHL) scheme, you must:

  • check the goods are eligible to move under the NIPHL scheme
  • be authorised and registered to use the scheme
  • ensure the Northern Ireland business is also a registered professional operator
  • attach a Northern Ireland Plant Health Label (NIPHL) to the goods before they leave Great Britain
  • create your movement in the Trader Support Service (TSS) and complete any required customs declarations
  • comply with any scheme plant health checks or inspections
  • keep records of movements and supporting documents for at least 3 years

Related content

The Windsor Framework - further detail and publications - GOV.UK

Exporting Used Agricultural Machinery to NI and EU - UK Plant Health Information Portal