Defra and DAERA have worked with hauliers to establish a new Groupage model which will aid the movements of these loads into Northern Ireland. 

Following successful trials with industry (involving taking goods from GB to NI), two Groupage models have been agreed.

If you are a haulier who moves SPS goods (products of animal origin (POAO), high-risk food not of animal origin and plants and plant products) from GB to NI where your goods need to be accompanied by Export Health Certificates (EHCs) or compliance declarations. You should read this update and the supporting guidance as it will help facilitate the movement of Groupage loads. 

The two Groupage models developed provide flexibility, which can be applied according to the hauliers’ specific needs.

Hauliers can also choose which model to apply to each specific consignment or load. These Groupage models have been developed to help ensure loads will be able to move through Northern Ireland points of entry with minimum interruption, although you should be prepared for document and identity (ID) checks and other risk-based physical checks. 

The Groupage models are as follows: 

1. Consolidation hubs model
   In the consolidation hubs model, all mixed products arrive at one specific premises, are consolidated and then certified as a single unit. This enables a certifying officer at the premises to place a seal on the final consolidated load, having knowledge of the goods collected elsewhere through health attestations, compliance declarations and/or EHCs. 
   
   
2. Linear model
   The linear model allows hauliers to pick up several consignments from multiple locations. Each individual consignment will be checked and sealed (such as an individual pallet) by a certifying officer before the haulier moves onto the next pick up. This process is repeated several times until all consignments are in the vehicle before the consolidated load is sealed at the final point of dispatch before leaving for the port. 

Sealing consignments/pallet(s)

Consignments must be physically sealed (e.g. with a plastic seal tag), and numbered in such a way that:

• the seal number and physical seal is easily visible for inspection by officials
• the contents of the consignment cannot be tampered with, without breaking the seal or resulting in obvious visual evidence of interference 

It is acceptable to seal the consignment within part of trailer or container, if there is only one point of physical entry to the consignment and the seal is applied to that point of entry.