TRACES system to continue as a result of Brexit extension

The decision to delay Brexit for up to six months means the TRACES (TRAde Control and Expert System) system will continue to be used for import notifications, Defra has confirmed.

In preparation for the possibility of leaving the EU without a deal at the end of March or in mid-April, Defra had begun to roll out the new IPAFFS system (Import of products, animals, food and feed system), which would have replaced TRACES in these circumstances.

However, the extension means EU exporters and Official Vets will continue to raise the appropriate certification via TRACES (eg Intra Trade Animal Health Certificate (ITAHCS), Commercial Documents (DOCOMs)) for imports of live animals, germinal products, Products of Animal Origin from EU Member States where safeguard measures are in place and animal by products from the EU. Notification to the competent authorities will still be a requirement.

For notifications overseen by APHA, the UK importer will need to notify using the IV66 notification form (please note a Unique Notification Number (UNN) will not be issued). If you have already notified APHA and have received a UNN, there is no requirement for this to be quoted on the ITAHC or DOCOM.

Imports of other types of Products of Animal Origin, High-Risk Food and Feed Not of Animal Origin from the EU do not currently need to be notified on TRACES and this remains the same during the extension period.
 
For imports from third countries, importers should continue to use TRACES as you currently do, including all consignments arriving after April 12. Defra stressed that importers should not use IPAFFS for any consignments arriving after that date – if you have already raised a notification for these via IPAFFS, you will need to raise a notification via TRACES.

For imports originating from third countries but travelling via the EU to the UK, there will be no changes. If checks are required on entry to the EU these will continue and will be documented on TRACES. Once these checks have been completed, the consignment will be free to move to the UK as it does today.

Notification to the competent authorities will still be a requirement for live animals, germinal products and animal by products. For notifications overseen by APHA, the UK importer will need to notify using the IV66 notification form (a UNN will not be issued).

But Defra added that IPAFFS remains ‘the long term solution’. “The log-ins that you are currently using will be required in the future. Please do store these in a safe place until such a time that you need to use them again. You should also ensure that your organisation has sufficient administrator account roles on IPAFFS, in the event that there are any resource or role changes in your organisation.

“You can continue to use IPAFFS for testing and training, but the notifications will not be valid. We will continue to enhance the system, so if you have any comments or feedback on IPAFFS, please let the APHA Service Desk know.”