Sevington Inland Border Facility
Note to Agents and Importers
Imports and exports: general enquiries
Ashford Port Health are not currently operating as a Border Control Post (BCP). The facility is in the process of being built.
The government announced on the 28 April 2022, that the controls for imports from EU to GB that were due to go live on 1 July 2022 have been delayed.
As part of a new approach to unify and simplify the systems, the controls of Export Health Certificates, Physical examinations of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) required for POAO from the EU will be introduced at the end of 2023, aligning with the new Border Operating Model.
Ashford Port Health remains in regular communication with DEFRA, FSA and the Cabinet Office on these matters in order to understand the implications and will update our website and social media regularly to communicate with the trade.
We will continue to support you with any queries you may have.
You can read the full Government statement here.
View government guidance on the Sevington site [pdf] 520KB.
You can download the haulier's handbook from the government website.
Information and Advice sites have been set up in 45 locations (also mentioned in the handbook) where hauliers and businesses can find out about the rules and documents needed to move goods between the UK and EU.
View more information for hauliers on our Brexit guidance for businesses webpage.
Food Imports
IUU Catch Certificates
Ashford Port Health are not currently operating as a Border Control Post (BCP). We are live for IUU Catch Certificates and full information can be found on our Ashford Port Health Website .
From 1 January 2022, all POAO and ABP consignments must be pre-notified on IPAFFS, and all plants and plant products categorised as ‘regulated and notifiable’ will need to be pre-notified on either IPAFFS or the PEACH system.
If you are an agent wishing to provide information on the types of commodities you intend to import once we are operational then you should make contact with us.
We are particularly interested in the specific types of food or feed consignments you are intending to import, the frequency and the size or volume of consignments. We would also request details on the Country of origin and if it is transiting through the EU from a third Country.
If you need operational advice in relation to importing goods from the European Union, please refer to the Border Operating Model.
If you require assistance on products of animal origin, you can contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) by email via imports@apha.gov.uk.
If you require assistance on High-Risk Food Not Of Animal Origin, please contact the food standards agency by email via imported.food@food.gov.uk.
Exports
If you require assistance on Exports please visit the government website. Ashford Port Health are now authorised to certify Export Health Certificates
If you require assistance on products of animal origin, you can contact the APHA by email via imports@apha.gov.uk
If you require assistance on high-risk food not of animal origin, please contact the food standards agency by email via imported.food@food.gov.uk.
Export Health Certificates
Please refer to our website for further details or visit the government website.
The role of Ashford Borough Council at the Facility
At the Facility Ashford Borough Council’s Port Health Team will be responsible for enforcement of particular imported food controls of foods arriving into the UK via Eurotunnel. These include foods from the EU and the rest of the world.
Imported food controls are designed to protect the population from imported infectious diseases and to ensure food safety and hygiene standards are in place.
This work involves carrying out checks on food documentation, physically examining foods and taking samples for analysis.
Visit the Food Standards Agency website, which contains information on commercial and personal food imports.
Payments
To make a payment, please use our Port Health Payment Form.
Latest updates
Find out the latest updates on the government website.
How to access Sevington Inland Border Facility
You can find out how to access Sevington Inland Border Facility on the government website.
How to access Waterbrook Inland Border Facility
You can find out how to access Waterbrook Inland Border Facility on the government website.
Contact us
Email: porthealth@ashford.gov.uk
Website: Visit the Ashford Port Health website.
Address: The site is still under construction and the Port Health Team are not yet on site. Any mail for the Port Health Team should be directed to Ashford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Tannery Lane, Ashford, Kent TN23 1PL until the site becomes fully operational.
Once operational the site address is: Sevington Inland Border Facility, Ashford.
Additional Information
Should you have any questions, concerns or complaints about the Sevington Inland Border Facility or junction 10a please note the below:
History:
The Inland Border Facility was permitted under a Special Development Order by Government. Similarly, junction 10a was a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) scheme led by the Planning Inspectorate with consultation on the scheme being the responsibility of Highways England.
For further information on the scheme visit:
NSIP - Nationally significant infrastructure projects in the transport sector - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
National Infrastructure Planning page on M20 Junction 10a - M20 Junction 10A | National Infrastructure Planning (planninginspectorate.gov.uk)
Traffic Noise:
Any complaints regarding traffic noise from junction 10a should be directed to Highways England - Complaints procedure - Highways England
Visual and lighting impact:
Any complaints regarding visual impact and lighting of night sky as a result of the IBF should be directed to Department for Transport directly - Department for Transport - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
