Indonesian Vegetables: UK Tariffs & IPAFFS 2026 Guide

A practical, step-by-step playbook to import Indonesian fresh chillies into the UK in 2026. We cover the right commodity code, DCTS tariff preference, IPAFFS CHED‑PP, phytosanitary certificates, BCP bookings, CDS linkage, timelines, costs, and the pitfalls we see most often.

If you’re planning to import Indonesian fresh chillies into the UK in 2026, you don’t need another vague checklist. You need the exact workflow that gets a consignment cleared without delays or surprise costs. Here’s the system we use and refine shipment after shipment.

The 3 pillars of smooth UK chilli imports in 2026

Classification and tariff strategy. Get the UK commodity code right and decide if you’ll claim DCTS preference.
Plant health compliance end to end. Nail the phytosanitary certificate, IPAFFS CHED‑PP, risk category, and the right border control post (BCP).
Data consistency across systems. Match details across commercial docs, the phytosanitary certificate, IPAFFS and CDS. Most holds come from tiny mismatches.

Week 1–2: Validate your lane and supplier readiness

This is where you prevent 80% of downstream problems.

Commodity code and risk category. For fresh chillies, use UK commodity code 0709.60 (fruits of Capsicum or Pimenta, fresh or chilled). Choose the correct national sub-code for chillies vs sweet peppers. Under the UK Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), fresh Capsicum for consumption is typically treated as a regulated, medium-risk plant product. That means a phytosanitary certificate, IPAFFS pre-notification and checks at a designated BCP. Always verify current risk status before booking space.
Tariffs and DCTS. Check the UK Global Tariff for your exact 10‑digit code. Many Capsicum lines carry 0% MFN duty already. If your line isn’t zero, you can often claim 0% under the UK DCTS for Indonesia by meeting rules of origin. Either way, confirm the rate before you price your deal.
Supplier and packhouse prep. Make sure your Indonesian exporter and packhouse can meet plant health requirements. In our experience, asking for a mock phytosanitary certificate draft against the intended packing list surfaces issues early. For our own Red Cayenne Pepper (Fresh Red Cayenne Chili), for example, we pre‑agree carton markings, lot IDs, and container/seal formats so the PC, IPAFFS and CDS align.
Temperature and packing. Fresh chillies generally travel at 7–10°C with high humidity, in ventilated export cartons. Avoid liners that trap condensation. Over‑cold and you risk chilling injury. Too warm and decay accelerates. Agree specs with your haulier and BCP operator because temperature declarations show up in both IPAFFS and inspection notes.

Practical takeaway: Lock the code, tariff plan, BCP route and document templates before you buy the crop. It’s faster to fix on paper than at the quay.

Week 3–6: Pilot the process with one consignment

A single, well‑run shipment pays for itself in lessons.

Do Indonesian fresh chillies need an IPAFFS pre‑notification to enter the UK?

Yes. For 2026, expect regulated, medium‑risk treatment under BTOM. You must pre‑notify via IPAFFS using a CHED‑PP number and route the consignment to a BCP approved for plant products.

What tariff code do I use and how much duty will I pay in 2026?

Use 0709.60 for fresh or chilled Capsicum/Pimenta, then select the correct national sub-heading for chillies. Many lines are zero MFN. If not, claim DCTS preference where eligible to reduce to 0%. Confirm your exact 10‑digit code and duty rate in the UK tariff before booking.

Which documents are required for Indonesian chilli imports?

Phytosanitary certificate issued by Indonesia’s NPPO for the exact lot(s) shipped.
Commercial invoice and packing list with carton counts, weights and lot IDs.
Bill of lading or airwaybill, plus container and seal numbers.
If claiming DCTS: an origin declaration on the commercial invoice and supplier evidence that the chillies are wholly obtained in Indonesia. Keep supporting records on file.
Any BCP booking confirmation if your port requires time slots.

How to create the CHED‑PP for chillies in IPAFFS

We recommend drafting the CHED‑PP from your validated commercial docs, then attaching the PC once issued.

Commodity: 0709.60, Capsicum spp., intended use “human consumption.”
Country of origin: Indonesia. Consignor/exporter and consignee details with EORIs.
BCP: choose a BCP designated for plant products and confirmed to handle your mode of arrival.
Transport: vessel/voyage or flight, container and seal, reefer temperature.
Lots: number of packages, net/gross weight, lot IDs and carton markings exactly as per the PC.
Attachments: clear scan of the phytosanitary certificate and commercial docs. If UK accepts ePhyto from Indonesia for your route at that time, follow the ePhyto upload guidance in IPAFFS.
Timing: submit at least one working day before arrival. If ETA shifts, update the CHED‑PP. We’ve seen more holds caused by out‑of‑date ETAs than you’d think.

Need a second pair of eyes on your draft CHED‑PP or PC pack? If you want practical feedback before you ship, Contact us on whatsapp.

Linking IPAFFS to CDS (customs) without mismatches

In CDS, declare the same 10‑digit commodity code, country of origin, weight, and package count.
Claim DCTS preference only if your documentation supports it. Your broker will set the preference code and enter the origin declaration reference as required.
Add the CHED‑PP reference in CDS using the correct document type, and use the correct BCP location as the place of presentation. Your broker should align the UCN/MRN and CHED‑PP so plant health and customs can match your file.
Keep the container and seal numbers identical across PC, CHED‑PP and CDS. If seals change, update both IPAFFS and your broker before arrival.

When should I pre‑notify and book a plant health inspection at a UK BCP?

Pre‑notify IPAFFS at least one working day before arrival.
Some BCPs require a booking slot for physical checks. Book as soon as you have a firm ETA.
Provide handling instructions to your haulier. A missed slot often costs more than the inspection itself.

Can I claim DCTS preference for Indonesian chillies? What proof do I need?

Yes, if the chillies are grown and harvested in Indonesia, they’re “wholly obtained” and typically meet DCTS rules of origin. Use an origin declaration on the commercial invoice and keep supplier evidence. If you can’t meet or prove origin, pay MFN duty. Many importers still choose MFN if the rate is 0% to keep paperwork lean.

Typical cost components for plant health checks

Government plant health fees for documentary, identity and physical checks.
BCP operator or common user charges, where applicable.
Port/terminal handling and any lab testing if samples are taken. Budget for all three, and confirm rates with the specific BCP you’ll use.

Week 7–12: Scale and optimise

Once your pilot clears cleanly, standardise.

Templates. Freeze your commercial doc templates and CHED‑PP field map. Small edits cause big delays.
Supplier QA. Use rejection feedback to sharpen field sorting, cleaning and carton markings. We ask suppliers to add a photo of carton labels into the document pack. It reduces identity check hiccups.
Logistics rhythm. Pick BCPs and routes with predictable plant check capacity for your transit days. We track clearance times per lane and shift departures accordingly.

The 5 mistakes that kill UK chilli consignments (and how to avoid them)

Phytosanitary certificate mismatches. Lot numbers, weights, or the botanical name missing or not matching the packing list. Fix with a precise pre‑alert to your NPPO before they issue the PC.
Wrong BCP or no slot. Not all BCPs handle plant products arriving by your mode. Confirm designation and book if needed.
Inconsistent seal/container numbers. Update both IPAFFS and CDS if a seal is changed at origin.
Over‑tight transit times. IPAFFS filed late, inspector unavailable, or random sampling. Plan buffers. In our experience, 3 out of 5 delays were avoidable with a 24–48 hour cushion.
Claiming DCTS without proof. If the origin declaration won’t stand up to audit, pay MFN. It’s cheaper than a retroactive duty bill plus penalties.

Common questions we hear, answered fast

Why was my chilli consignment held or rejected at the border?

Top reasons we’ve seen: incorrect commodity code, missing or invalid PC, data mismatches across PC/CHED‑PP/CDS, dirty produce or live pests found, unapproved BCP, and late pre‑notification. The fix is usually an amended CHED‑PP and corrected docs. If pests are found, expect destruction or re‑export.

Which BCP handles plant checks for fresh chillies?

Use a BCP designated for plant products that matches your route and mode. Not every port is approved for medium‑risk plants. Your forwarder or BCP operator can confirm capacity and booking rules for Capsicum.

Do frozen chillies from Indonesia need IPAFFS?

Generally, fully frozen and sufficiently processed vegetable products aren’t regulated the same way and may not require a phytosanitary certificate or CHED‑PP. But it hinges on the exact classification and processing. For context, our Frozen Paprika (Bell Peppers) - Red, Yellow, Green & Mixed ships under processed IQF rules rather than fresh plant health controls. Always confirm your CN code and SPS status before shipping frozen chillies.

A 10‑day working timeline we actually use

T‑10 to T‑7: Confirm 10‑digit code, tariff rate, BCP designation and inspection booking rules.
T‑6 to T‑5: Finalise supplier pack. Pre‑validate PC fields against your packing list.
T‑4: Draft CHED‑PP without submitting. Check all identifiers.
T‑3: PC issued. Attach to CHED‑PP. Broker drafts CDS with matching data.
T‑2: Submit IPAFFS pre‑notification. Book BCP slot if required.
T‑1: Reconfirm ETA and reefer set point. Update IPAFFS if timing changes.
Arrival day: Present to BCP. Keep driver briefed on inspection location and documents.
T+1: Release and delivery. File learnings into your template for the next load.

If you’re weighing fresh versus frozen supply for your program, or want a run‑through on your specific lane, Call us. And if you’re benchmarking Indonesian quality, specs for our export‑grade Red Cayenne Pepper (Fresh Red Cayenne Chili) are a useful baseline.

Bottom line: classification, plant health, and data consistency are what move chillies. Get those right, and 2026’s UK controls are predictable. Get them wrong, and every other variable hurts more than it should. We’ve learned that the hard way so you don’t have to.