From 28 June 2025, licence data on declarations for goods movements into or out of Northern Ireland will be verified by the EU system CERTEX. This replaces Northern Ireland's Automatic Licence Verification System (ALVS).   

Where a licence is required, the change to CERTEX will impact the following certification types:  

• Certificates of Organic Conformity (COI)  
• Plants and plant products (CHED.PP)  
• Food and feed of non-animal origin (CHED.D)  
• Food and products of animal origin (CHED.P)  
• Live animals (CHED.A)  
• Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)  
• Fluorinated Gases (FGAS)  

Top Tip:  For licensed goods’ movements for Northern Ireland by import, export, or transit – Double check the details 

All licence information to be made on declarations should match those given on the licence.   

Therefore, it will be necessary to check the details on the commodity code, the net mass, and 

supplementary units.  Inaccuracies will cause a stall in the movement. 

Update to CHED References:  New format required from 28th June 2025 

From 28 June 2025, the Common Health Entry Document (CHED) reference must be provided on the declaration in the new format. 

The reference format must be letters followed by numbers and include the full stop character to enable alignment with the EU CERTEX verification system 

Example, 'CHEDA.XI.2025.1234567'.   

If the reference is not completed correctly: 

• The licence cannot be validated 
• The declaration will be rejected 
• A Movement Reference Number (MRN) will not be issued, and goods will be unable to continue 

Pre-lodged declarations to be arrived from 28th June 2025 

Pre-lodged declarations that will be arrived from 28 June must include the CHED reference in the new format. 

A pre-lodged declaration for arrival from 28 June using the old CHED format must be amended to the new format using the Declaration Service (CDS) prior to the arrival of the goods. 

Continue to use the old CHED format if pre-lodging a declaration to arrive prior to 28th June. 

Failure to use the correct CHED format will result in rejections on arrival and risk a delay in goods release.  

Troubleshooting: CDS will send a notification if there is a problem with the declaration or goods 

Examples: 

• a valid certificate or licence cannot be found (this will be checked at the pre-lodgement stage) 
• There is a mismatch between the data supplied on the declaration and the relevant licence or certificate (during the crossing).   
• The licence has an insufficient quantity remaining (advised during the crossing and is only applicable to certain licenses). 

Before goods arrive, checks should be made for the following: 

• the accuracy of the supporting licence 
• the accuracy of the declaration, and amend the declaration if the details are inaccurate 
• respond to any messages you receive from CDS 

Some software may not allow a declaration amendment.  In these circumstances, the original, inaccurate declaration should be cancelled and a new one submitted.  

If using the Trader Support Service (TSS) for licensed goods movements, the TSS team should be the first point of contact for help. 

Processes for making a declaration or obtaining a licence remain unchanged.  

A link to the guidance pages is below: 

Moving licensed goods into or out of Northern Ireland - GOV.UK 

Additional support for traders  

For support for goods in movement, contact the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on 0300 200 7852 or email daera.helpline@daera-ni.gov.uk.  

For support with parcel movements, traders can contact their parcel express operator. Please note this change does not impact express operators moving consumer parcels under the UK Carrier Scheme.