The short answer: Great Britain lets in growing media made entirely of coconut fibre, as long as it has never been used for growing plants or any agricultural purpose. As the rules stand, clean, unused coir shipped on its own isn't on the list of goods that need a phytosanitary certificate, so it doesn't normally go through IPAFFS pre-notification either. That changes if the coir arrives with plants, or if anything organic other than coir or peat is mixed in. Blends with compost or bark from outside the EU are prohibited. On the customs side you need a GB EORI number, a customs declaration and the right commodity code, and import VAT applies.
These rules apply to England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland follows EU plant-health rules, which are close but run through EU systems. The EU side is covered in our article on importing into Germany and the Netherlands.
What changed with Brexit
Before 2021, coir arriving in Britain was under EU plant-health law. After Brexit, Britain kept that law as its own and has amended it since. The wording on growing media is still almost identical to the EU's, but the systems around it are British: IPAFFS instead of the EU's TRACES, GB border control posts, GB risk categories and GB fees.
The practical effect for coir buyers is small if you import pure, unused coir from outside Europe. It's larger if you buy coir products already processed or mixed in the EU, or import plants growing in coir.
The growing-media rule
GB law prohibits growing medium, other than soil, that consists wholly or partly of solid organic substances, from any country outside the EU, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. There's one exception: medium "composed entirely of peat or fibre of Cocos nucifera L., previously not used for growing of plants or for any agricultural purposes."
Two conditions carry all the weight:
| Condition | What it means for your order |
|---|---|
| Composed entirely of peat or coconut fibre | Pure coco peat, coir blocks, briquettes, husk chips and pure-coir grow bags qualify. Coir mixed with compost, bark, wood fibre or other organic material from outside the EU doesn't |
| Not previously used for growing or agriculture | The coir must be new. Recycled or reprocessed substrate is outside the exception |
Inorganic additions such as perlite aren't organic substances, so a coir and perlite mix isn't automatically caught. Check before ordering one anyway. If you want to blend coir with bark or compost, the safer route is usually to import pure coir and blend in Britain.
When IPAFFS and a phytosanitary certificate apply
Britain sorts plants and plant products from non-EU countries into four risk groups:
| Risk group | Phytosanitary certificate | IPAFFS pre-notification | Border checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| High risk | Yes | Yes | Checks at a border control post |
| Medium risk A | Yes | Yes | Checks at a border control post |
| Medium risk B | Yes | No | Not routinely |
| Low risk | No | No | Exempt from plant-health controls |
Growing medium "attached to or associated with plants, intended to sustain the vitality of the plants" needs a phytosanitary certificate from any non-EU country. Coir arriving on its own isn't listed in that entry. So for pure, unused coir the usual position is no certificate and no pre-notification. Look up your product's import category before the first shipment to confirm that's still true.
If your goods do fall into a high or medium A group, for example plants in coir:
- Register on IPAFFS. Only UK-based businesses can register. Overseas sellers need a UK importer or agent.
- Pre-notify. For sea freight, at least one working day before arrival. For air and roll-on roll-off freight, at least four working hours.
- Upload the phytosanitary certificate. If it arrives as an ePhyto it attaches to the notification automatically.
- Use a border control post that can handle plants and plant products.
- Pay check fees. In England and Wales the documentary check is £5.25 per certificate, with identity and physical check fees on top by commodity. Port health charges can be added.
Even when a certificate isn't required, some British buyers ask for one as evidence of inspection at origin. It costs little and is worth agreeing in advance. Our guide to phytosanitary certificates for coco peat explains what to check on it.
Wood packaging
All wood packaging coming into Britain must meet ISPM 15: treated and stamped. Unmarked pallets are a common reason for holds. Ask for stamped or plastic pallets.
Customs, duty and VAT
EORI. You need an EORI number starting with GB to import into Great Britain.
Declaration. Your broker submits the import declaration through the UK customs system with the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading.
Commodity code. Coco peat is usually declared under heading 5305, at 5305 00 00 00. Husk chips and grow bags are sometimes argued differently, and an advance tariff ruling settles it for repeat imports. The details are in our article on the HS code for coco peat.
Duty. The third-country rate on heading 5305 has been nil, but check the current UK Global Tariff for your exact line.
Import VAT. Growing media are standard-rated at 20%. VAT-registered importers can use postponed VAT accounting and declare it on their VAT return instead of paying at the border.
Coir from the EU
Some British buyers source coir already imported, processed or packed in the Netherlands or elsewhere in the EU. The growing-media prohibition doesn't apply to EU origin. Check the current requirements for soil and growing media moved from the EU, and remember the goods will still need a customs declaration even if no duty is due.
The UK and EU agreed in 2025 to negotiate a plant-health and veterinary agreement that would change checks on trade between them. Until it's in force, the current GB rules apply.
Why coir demand is rising in Britain
The UK has been moving horticulture away from peat, and coir is one of the main replacements. Our peat-free growing media guide covers that policy background. For importers it means more first-time buyers and more blends, and blends are where the growing-media rule catches people out.
Checklist before you ship
- Confirm the product is pure, unused coir, or check the rules for your blend.
- Look up the import category and confirm whether a certificate and IPAFFS apply.
- Get a GB EORI number and appoint a broker.
- Agree the commodity code and the invoice description.
- Ask for ISPM 15 or plastic pallets.
- Decide whether you want a phytosanitary certificate even if it isn't required.
British plant-health rules and fees change. Confirm the current requirements with the plant-health authority and your broker before you ship.
FAQ
Can I import coco peat into the UK after Brexit?
Yes. Great Britain allows growing media made entirely of coconut fibre or peat that has never been used for growing plants or for agriculture. Pure, unused coco peat qualifies. Blends with compost, bark or other organic material from outside the EU are prohibited.
Do I need to pre-notify coco peat on IPAFFS?
Not normally, for pure, unused coir shipped on its own, because it isn't on the list of goods that need a phytosanitary certificate. Pre-notification applies to high-risk and medium-risk A plants and plant products, such as plants growing in coir. Check your product's import category before the first shipment.
Do I need a phytosanitary certificate for coir imported into Great Britain?
For pure, unused coir on its own, the rules as they stand don't require one. Growing medium attached to or associated with plants does need one from any non-EU country. Many buyers still ask for a certificate as evidence of inspection at origin.
Can I import coir mixed with bark or compost?
Not from outside the EU, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. The exception only covers medium composed entirely of peat or coconut fibre. Import pure coir and blend it in Britain, or source an EU-made blend and check the rules for EU growing media.
What VAT applies to imported coco peat in the UK?
Growing media are standard-rated, so import VAT is 20% of the customs value plus duty and certain costs. VAT-registered businesses can use postponed VAT accounting to declare it on their VAT return instead of paying at the border.
Are the rules different for Northern Ireland?
Yes. Northern Ireland follows EU plant-health rules and uses EU systems for notifications. The growing-media rule is very similar, but the procedures differ, so check with your broker before shipping to Northern Ireland.
Can an overseas supplier register on IPAFFS?
No. Only UK-based businesses can register. If your goods need pre-notification, the UK importer or an agent acting for them has to make it.
Plan your UK order
CVM Fiber and Industries in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India makes pure coir products: coco peat blocks, briquettes, grow bags, open-top bags, husk chips and bristle fibre, washed with water to reduce EC and with no calcium nitrate or other chemicals. Contact us and tell us what you're planning to import.