Export Indonesian Seafood to UK: BTOM & IPAFFS 2026 Guide

A field-by-field, 2026-ready walkthrough to complete IPAFFS POAO pre-notification for frozen Indonesian shrimp (HS 030617). What to enter, which docs to upload, how to pick the right commodity code and BCP, and the mismatches that actually trigger delays.

If you’ve ever watched a perfectly good shrimp consignment sit at a UK Border Control Post because two fields didn’t match, you know how costly “almost right” can be. The good news is IPAFFS for Indonesian shrimp is repeatable. We’ve moved from ad‑hoc firefighting to consistent, fast clearances by sticking to a tight, field-by-field process.

Below is exactly how we prepare an IPAFFS POAO pre‑notification for frozen Indonesian shrimp (HS 030617) under the UK Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) in 2026. No fluff. Just what to enter, what to upload, and where importers get tripped up.

The 3 pillars of fast, low‑drama IPAFFS entries

One source of truth. Decide which document is the master for each data point. We map package counts, lot/batch, net weight and production dates to the Indonesian BKIPM Health Certificate. We map carton dimensions and pallet counts to the packing list. We map container and seal numbers to the bill of lading or AWB/ULD sheet. Then we make all other docs match that master.
Correct commodity code first. Get the GB commodity code right before you start the notification. It dictates the risk pathway and the document expectations at the BCP. For frozen shrimp/prawns, you’ll be in 030617. The 10‑digit GB code depends on the genus (for example, Penaeus for vannamei or black tiger) and presentation. Use the UK Integrated Online Tariff to pick the exact subheading, then select that same code in IPAFFS.
Early, clean BCP booking. Pre‑book your Border Control Post slot and share the CHED‑D reference with your handler as soon as you submit. In our experience, sending the CHED within minutes of filing avoids last‑minute scrambles when flights land early or vessels discharge ahead of plan.

Practical takeaway: Build a one‑page “field map” per supplier that says precisely which line on the BKIPM certificate goes into which IPAFFS field. It sounds basic. It eliminates 80% of avoidable mismatches.

Field‑by‑field: completing IPAFFS for frozen Indonesian shrimp (HS 030617)

This walkthrough assumes raw or cooked frozen shrimp, not shelf‑stable retorted cans.

Consignment details

Country of origin and dispatch: Indonesia. Match spelling and case across documents.
Consignor/exporter: as per commercial invoice. Use full legal name and address.
Consignee/importer: UK EORI holder or their agent. Ensure the same entity appears on IPAFFS and the commercial docs that the BCP will see.

Commodity selection

Commodity type: Products of Animal Origin (POAO) – fishery products/crustaceans.
GB commodity code: start with 030617 for “shrimps and prawns, frozen.” Then choose the 10‑digit code by genus/presentation using the GB tariff. For black tiger (Penaeus monodon) or vannamei (Litopenaeus vannamei, still classified under Penaeus), pick the “Penaeus” subheading. For other wild species, pick “other shrimps and prawns, frozen.” If in doubt, check the scientific name on labels and the BKIPM certificate.

Product description

Commercial description: e.g., “Frozen Vannamei shrimp HLSO 31/40, IQF.” Keep it consistent with invoice, packing list and labels.
Net weight and total packages: copy from BKIPM Health Certificate. If there’s any variance due to last‑minute re‑palletization, update all docs together and get the revised BKIPM certificate before departure.
Lot/batch numbers and production dates: use the exact format printed on cartons and on the BKIPM certificate. If there are multiple lots, list them all.

Establishment details

Approval number: enter the Indonesian processing establishment approval number as shown on the BKIPM certificate. This is a common fail point when importers type a name but not the numeric approval ID.

Temperature and packaging

Transport conditions: frozen. We enter “-18°C or colder” and select “refrigerated vehicle/reefer.”
Packaging type: cartons on pallets. If you have mixed formats (IVP and IWP within the same lot), declare them.

Transport and routing

Means of transport: sea container, or air freight. For sea, enter vessel name and voyage if available. For air, enter airline and flight.
Container and seal numbers: from the bill of lading or the carrier’s pre‑advice. For air ULDs, include the ULD number and any airline seal. If there is no seal, note “no seal” rather than guessing.
UN/LOCODE: use the real codes, for example IDCGK (Soekarno‑Hatta) or IDSUR/IDSUB (Surabaya) as the exit, and GBLHR for Heathrow or GBLGP for London Gateway as entry. BCP officers use these to sanity‑check your routing.

Official documents

Health certificate: “BKIPM Health Certificate for Fish and Fishery Products Intended for Export.” Enter the certificate number exactly. Upload a clear scan. The original must travel with the cargo.
Optional but recommended uploads: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/AWB, pallet list. Uploading them helps the BCP close out documentary checks faster.

Border Control Post (BCP) and booking

Select a BCP approved for fishery products/POAO. For air, Heathrow and East Midlands operate POAO BCPs. For sea, major ports like London Gateway and Southampton do too. Always verify the current UK BCP list before you book.
Pre‑book a slot with the handler at the chosen BCP and provide the CHED‑D reference generated by IPAFFS.

Submit and share

After submission, IPAFFS generates a CHED‑D reference. Share it immediately with your freight forwarder and BCP handler. If anything changes, amend the IPAFFS entry before the consignment arrives.

Need a second set of eyes on a draft entry or help mapping BKIPM lines to IPAFFS fields? Contact us on whatsapp. We do this every week.

The 2026 BTOM questions everyone asks

Do I need an Export Health Certificate for frozen shrimp from Indonesia to the UK in 2026?

Yes. Under BTOM, raw and cooked frozen shrimp are treated as POAO fishery products from a Rest‑of‑World country and require an official health certificate from BKIPM. The original must accompany the goods. Shelf‑stable, hermetically sealed crustacean products may be in a lower risk category with different document requirements. Check the latest BTOM risk lists if you’re shipping retorted cans.

What BTOM risk category are Indonesian shrimp and how does that change my IPAFFS steps?

Raw frozen shrimp: typically medium risk. Expect documentary checks, identity checks, and a percentage of physical checks at the BCP.
Cooked frozen shrimp: also typically medium risk unless truly shelf‑stable. Same IPAFFS process and similar check frequencies.
Shelf‑stable canned crustaceans: often low risk, which can change document expectations. Always confirm against the current UK guidance before you ship.

How far in advance must I submit an IPAFFS pre‑notification for shrimp arriving by air or sea?

The official line is at least one working day before the consignment arrives in Great Britain. In practice, we aim for 48 hours pre‑advice for sea and 12–24 hours for air. Some BCPs accept shorter notice for air consignments by arrangement, but leaving it late increases the chance of missed bookings and storage fees.

Which document and seal numbers go into the IPAFFS health certificate and transport fields?

Health certificate number: from the BKIPM certificate. Don’t use invoice numbers here.
Container number and seal: from the carrier’s data or bill of lading. For air ULDs, use ULD ID and airline security seal where applied. If no seal, state “no seal.” Don’t invent a seal number to satisfy a field.

How do I choose the correct commodity code for prawns/shrimp in IPAFFS?

Start with 030617. Then drill down by genus and presentation. Vannamei and black tiger are classified under the genus Penaeus in the tariff. Cross‑check the scientific name on labels and in the BKIPM certificate. Select the identical 10‑digit GB code in IPAFFS. If you’re unsure, pause and verify in the GB Integrated Tariff. The wrong 10‑digit code is a top‑three cause of extra questions at the BCP.

Can my Indonesian supplier submit IPAFFS, or must a UK importer/agent do it?

Only a GB‑based importer or an authorised agent with the right GOV.UK access can create IPAFFS notifications. Indonesian exporters can and should supply every data point, plus clean scans, but they cannot submit the CHED‑D.

What happens at the BCP if details on IPAFFS don’t match the health certificate or labels?

The BCP can fail the documentary check, move you to a higher inspection rate, or hold the consignment. Common outcomes include storage and handling fees, missed delivery windows, or in serious cases, re‑export or destruction. The most frequent mismatches we see are lot numbers missing from IPAFFS, wrong net weight totals, and establishment approval numbers that don’t match the certificate.

Heathrow example: what a smooth arrival looks like

Before departure: CHED‑D submitted with CHED number shared to the airline handler. Heathrow BCP slot confirmed.
Docs aligned: BKIPM certificate, invoice, packing list, and labels match on lot numbers, net weight, and pack counts.
Transport data clean: AWB number, ULD/sea container ID, and seal status in IPAFFS mirror carrier data. UN/LOCODEs show a plausible route, for example IDCGK to GBLHR.
On arrival: Documentary check passes quickly using uploaded scans. If selected for identity/physical, cartons are correctly labelled and accessible. Release the same day.

Five preventable mistakes that trigger delays

Mixing genus under one commodity code. If you have Penaeus and non‑Penaeus species in one consignment, split by line with the correct 10‑digit codes.
Copy‑paste net weight from the invoice. Always key net weight from the BKIPM certificate. If they differ, fix the docs before departure.
Treating “container/seal” as optional for sea. It isn’t. Enter both, and verify before you submit.
Last‑minute BCP booking. Handlers fill up. Book early and send the CHED immediately.
Confusing IPAFFS with customs. CDS is your customs declaration. IPAFFS is your sanitary entry. Keep data consistent across both, but file them separately.

When this advice applies (and when it doesn’t)

Applies: raw or cooked frozen shrimp and prawns from Indonesia, shipped by sea or air to Great Britain under BTOM in 2026.
Doesn’t fully apply: shelf‑stable retorted cans, composite foods containing small percentages of crustacean, or Northern Ireland/EU TRACES processes. Different rules and systems apply.

Where product spec meets compliance

Clean specs make clean entries. For buyers needing consistent UK‑ready labeling and pack data, our Frozen Shrimp (Black Tiger, Vannamei & Wild Caught) lines are built for strict lot control, IQF or block frozen, and clear carton markings that mirror BKIPM certificates. Many importers also consolidate with white‑fish SKUs that follow the same documentation discipline, like Grouper Fillet (IQF) or Mahi Mahi Fillet. One paperwork model. Multiple species.

Resources and next steps

UK IPAFFS POAO guidance and BTOM risk categories change. Always check the latest GOV.UK pages before you ship.
Build a supplier‑specific field map once. Reuse it on every shipment. Update it the moment a label or certificate format changes.
Submit IPAFFS early, upload scans, and share the CHED‑D with your BCP handler and forwarder as soon as you hit “submit.”

If you want us to sanity‑check your next shrimp pre‑notification or help you pick the correct 030617 subheading for a mixed‑species load, Contact us on whatsapp. We’re happy to look over a draft and point out the two or three lines that usually cause trouble.