How to Import Plants from Indonesia to the UK

Last reviewed: 26 August 2026

ORAMICIN ships live tropical plants from Indonesia to customers in the United Kingdom. This guide explains the main steps buyers and importers should check before ordering plants for delivery to Great Britain.

Quick overview

1. Check whether each plant is permitted and identify its UK plant-health risk category.
2. Confirm who will act as the UK importer and complete any required registration.
3. Prepare any required IPAFFS pre-notification and import documents.
4. ORAMICIN prepares eligible plants, export documents and the phytosanitary certificate.
5. The shipment may be selected for documentary, identity or physical checks on arrival.
6. The buyer or importer pays any applicable VAT, customs, inspection and local clearance charges unless agreed otherwise in writing.

1. Check that your plants can enter Great Britain

Plants and plant products entering Great Britain are classified as high risk, medium risk A, medium risk B or low risk. Controls differ by category and classifications can change.

• High risk and medium risk A: normally require importer registration, a phytosanitary certificate, IPAFFS pre-notification and possible plant-health checks.
• Medium risk B: normally requires a phytosanitary certificate but does not require pre-notification.
• Low risk: is generally exempt from plant-health controls.

Before ordering, check every genus and species using the official UK Plant Health Information Portal. Some plants may be prohibited or may require additional declarations. CITES-listed species may also require separate permits.

2. Confirm the UK importer

For high-risk or medium-risk A goods, the UK importer must register to use IPAFFS. Registration makes the importer a professional operator for plant and plant-product imports.

The buyer must tell ORAMICIN before shipment who will act as importer and provide accurate:

• full importer or recipient name;
• complete delivery address and postcode;
• working telephone number and email address;
• plant names and quantities;
• any importer reference, permit, routing or document instructions required for the consignment.

3. Phytosanitary certificate and export preparation

For eligible live-plant shipments, ORAMICIN prepares the plants for export and arranges a phytosanitary certificate from the Indonesian plant-health authority when required.

Preparation may include:

• health and pest inspection;
• removal of soil and growing media when required;
• root cleaning and appropriate treatment;
• bare-root export packing;
• commercial invoice and packing information;
• phytosanitary certificate and other eligible Indonesian export documents.

Normal preparation and document processing takes approximately 7–14 working days. Timing can change because of plant condition, inspection schedules, holidays and regulatory requirements.

4. IPAFFS pre-notification

For high-risk and medium-risk A plants, the UK importer must use IPAFFS to notify APHA in England and Wales or SASA in Scotland before the shipment arrives. A scanned copy of the phytosanitary certificate and other required documents must be uploaded.

Current official guidance requires notice at least:

• 4 working hours before arrival for air and roll-on/roll-off freight; or
• 1 working day before arrival for other freight.

ORAMICIN can provide the available shipment and document information, but the importer remains responsible for submitting an accurate and timely notification unless a written alternative arrangement has been agreed.

5. Arrival, inspection and original documents

High-risk and medium-risk A plants must enter Great Britain through an airport or port able to handle plant consignments. A shipment may be selected for documentary, identity and physical checks at a Border Control Post or approved Control Point.

Inspection, port, storage and plant-health charges may apply. If an original paper phytosanitary certificate is used, the importer may also need to submit it to APHA or SASA within the official deadline after arrival.

If a consignment fails plant-health checks, the authorities may require treatment, return or destruction. These decisions are outside ORAMICIN’s control.

6. VAT, customs and clearance charges

UK VAT and customs treatment depends on the consignment value, whether the sale is business-to-consumer or business-to-business, and who acts as importer.

• For some direct-to-consumer consignments valued at £135 or less, UK VAT may need to be charged at the point of sale.
• For consignments valued above £135, normal import VAT and customs rules generally apply.

Unless ORAMICIN confirms otherwise in writing, product and shipping prices do not include UK import VAT, customs duty, inspection fees, storage, brokerage or other destination charges. Please consult HMRC or a qualified tax adviser if you are unsure.

Read the official HMRC guidance for overseas goods sold directly to UK customers.

7. Shipping and delivery

ORAMICIN uses DHL Express for eligible international live-plant shipments. Transit estimates begin after export preparation and documents are complete. Customs clearance, plant-health inspection, weather, public holidays and courier handling can extend delivery time.

A valid telephone number and email address are essential so the courier or authorities can contact the recipient.

8. When your plants arrive

• Unpack the plants carefully as soon as possible.
• Inspect the roots, leaves and stem.
• Provide bright indirect light, stable warmth and appropriate humidity.
• Avoid immediate direct sunlight, heavy fertilising or unnecessary repotting.
• Allow time for normal international-shipping stress to recover.

If a plant arrives dead or severely damaged, contact ORAMICIN within 24 hours of delivery with clear photos or video of the plant, roots, packaging and shipping label. Do not discard the plant or packaging before the case is reviewed.

Buyer checklist before checkout

• I have checked that every plant species is permitted for import.
• I understand the relevant UK risk category and controls.
• I have confirmed the UK importer and any IPAFFS requirements.
• I understand that inspection and destination charges may apply.
• I have supplied correct contact, delivery and import information.
• I understand that Northern Ireland follows separate guidance.

This guide is general information and is not legal, customs or tax advice. UK requirements can change. Always verify the current rules with the UK authorities before importing.

Official UK resources

• DEFRA/APHA: Import plants and plant products from non-EU countries to Great Britain
• UK Plant Health Information Portal: Import requirements
• HMRC: VAT and overseas goods sold directly to UK customers
• DAERA: Plant-health guidance for Northern Ireland