SIVEP inspection is a procedure that often causes delays in transport and generates unnecessary stress.
How to Prepare for a SIVEP Inspection?
As of 1 January 2021, following Brexit and the UK’s exit from the European Union and the single market, French ports (including Calais and Dunkirk) have become the main entry points for goods entering the EU. From that moment, all products of animal or plant origin must undergo veterinary, sanitary, or phytosanitary (SPS) controls at the EU border before they can be traded within its territory. These inspections are carried out at designated facilities known as SIVEP (Service d’Inspection Vétérinaire et Phytosanitaire), located at EU entry points.
SPS controls are independent of any customs procedures.
Veterinary and phytosanitary authorities must issue authorisation for goods to enter the EU.
If such authorisation is denied due to non-compliance, there are two possible outcomes:
- The vehicle transporting the goods is returned to the United Kingdom, or
- If the goods pose a public health risk, they are destroyed.
The TRACES System
All import operations must be registered in TRACES (Trade Control and Expert System) at least 24 hours before exporting goods from the UK. Only properly registered imports can be granted entry to the EU, provided they pass SPS inspection carried out by SIVEP.
Although SPS inspections are independent of customs procedures, it is important that the T1 document includes the CHED number generated in TRACES. Failure to comply may result in the load being returned to the UK. Furthermore, if a load is not registered in TRACES prior to leaving the UK, it may be sent back without undergoing inspection.
Key Points for Preparing for Veterinary, Sanitary, and Phytosanitary (SPS) Controls
- The inspection MUST be carried out at the first EU point of entry. If SPS inspection does not take place there, customs clearance will not be possible. The vehicle will need to return to the original point of entry for inspection. For example, a vehicle entering via Calais and failing to report for inspection will be redirected there upon arrival at the delivery location.
Upon entering France, vehicles carrying goods subject to inspection must follow the orange SIVEP lane to the inspection point. For goods consisting only of fishery products entering through Calais port or tunnel, the control point is Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Customs clearance can only occur after SIVEP approval of the CHED (DSCE).
Wooden pallets and dunnage used for transport must comply with ISPM15 standards (certification required). Non-compliance will result in vehicles being sent back to the UK.
Some SIVEP offices only handle specific veterinary or phytosanitary products. Ensure vehicles are directed to the correct control point.
None of the control points at French ports are approved for receiving cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs. Always verify whether the selected checkpoint is approved for the type of goods being transported.
Calais port does not handle seafood. Such goods must be directed to Boulogne-sur-Mer, which is only approved for fishery products and bivalve molluscs.
Dunkirk port does not conduct horse inspections.
Required Documents for Importing Animals or Products Subject to Veterinary and Phytosanitary Regulations
The entity responsible for the cargo must prepare a CHED (Common Health Entry Document) in the TRACES NT system for every certificate issued in the UK. These documents can be prepared by a registered customs representative (RDE).
Types of CHED documents:
- CHED-A – for live animals.
- CHED-P – for products of animal origin and phytosanitary products.
- CHED-D – for feed and non-animal-origin food.
Stages of the Procedure:
1. The responsible declarant notifies the designated Border Control Post (BCP) via TRACES NT at least 24 hours before arrival at the EU customs area.
2. After the inspection, SIVEP approves the CHED (CHED-A, -P, or -D) in TRACES NT, confirming compliance with EU requirements.
Note: From 1 January 2023, the European Union implemented the second phase of its Monitoring and Control Plans, increasing the frequency of sampling and expanding the scope of product controls.
