Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS)

SPS controls are regulatory measures implemented to protect plant, animal, and public health. They form a critical part of the biosecurity framework governing the movement of goods across international borders.

Entry Requirements at Border Control Posts (BCPs)

All consignments entering through a Border Control Post are subject to a range of SPS control requirements. These typically include three categories of checks: documentary, identity, and physical.

Documentary Checks

A documentary check involves reviewing the paperwork accompanying the consignment to ensure it complies with import requirements. This may include checking:

Export Health Certificates (EHCs)
Phytosanitary certificates
Commercial documents
Import licences or authorisations
Supporting declarations and attestations

Inspectors will verify that the documents are complete, valid, correctly signed where required, and consistent with the goods being imported.

Identity Checks

An identity check verifies that the physical consignment matches its accompanying paperwork. Inspectors confirm that identification marks, stamps, labelling, and any other required product or packaging information are consistent with the declarations made on the relevant health certificate or supporting documentation.

Physical Checks

Where required, a hands-on inspection of the goods will be carried out. The purpose of this check is to assess whether the consignment poses any biosecurity risk, for example, through the presence of pests or disease. A physical check may involve:

Examination of the consignment's packaging and the vehicle or vessel used to transport it
Collection of product samples for laboratory testing

Outcomes Following Checks

Once identity and physical checks have been completed, the consignment will be subject to one of three possible outcomes:

Approved - the consignment is cleared and permitted to proceed to its intended destination
Conditionally approved - further action is required before clearance can be granted, such as the submission of missing or corrected documentation
Rejected - the consignment fails to meet the required standards and must either be returned to the country of origin or disposed of

Risk categories

Goods are categorised as low, medium, or high risk, based on factors such as the type of product, country of origin, and potential risks to biosecurity, food safety, and public health.

Each category is subject to different requirements. For example, high-risk goods are subject to stricter controls such as certification and physical inspections, while low-risk goods may be subject to minimal or no checks.

Further information is available on BTOM risk categories.