Stop the CHED-P confusion. Here’s exactly how to choose CHED-PP for fresh Indonesian vegetables and submit Part I in TRACES NT, with documents, timing, roles, and 2026 nuances that actually matter.
If you’ve ever opened TRACES NT and hesitated between CHED-P, CHED-PP, or CHED-D, you’re not alone. We see smart teams trip over this choice and lose days at the Border Control Post. Here’s the straight answer and the exact steps we use for fresh Indonesian vegetables going into the EU in 2026.
Stop the CHED-P confusion: what fresh Indonesian vegetables actually need in 2026
For fresh, unprocessed vegetables from Indonesia, you need CHED-PP. Not CHED-P.
- CHED-PP is for plants and plant products that require plant health checks and a phytosanitary certificate.
- CHED-P is for products of animal origin and certain composite foods. Vegetables don’t go here.
- CHED-D is for feed/food of non-animal origin under increased official controls for contaminants or pesticide residues (Reg. 2019/1793). Some vegetables fall into this list depending on HS code and origin. If they do, you may need CHED-D in addition to CHED-PP.
When in doubt, start from the commodity and requirement. If the vegetable is fresh and listed as regulated under EU plant health rules, you’ll need a phytosanitary certificate from Indonesia and a CHED-PP in TRACES NT. That covers items like Japanese Cucumber (Kyuri), Tomatoes, Baby Romaine, Red Cayenne Pepper, Onion, Carrots (Fresh Export Grade), Red Radish, Beetroot (Fresh Export Grade), and Purple Eggplant.
What about frozen or processed items? Those typically don’t need a phytosanitary certificate nor CHED-PP. Our IQF lines like Premium Frozen Okra, Frozen Paprika, Frozen Mixed Vegetables, Premium Frozen Sweet Corn, and Premium Frozen Potatoes usually move without CHED-PP. However, check if they appear in the 2019/1793 lists, which would trigger CHED-D.
Takeaway: Fresh equals CHED-PP with a phytosanitary certificate. Frozen/processed often means no CHED-PP, but verify CHED-D.
The three pillars of a clean CHED-PP submission
From hard-won experience, smooth clearances rest on three things:
- Data consistency. Names, addresses, HS codes (CN Chapter 07 for vegetables), quantities, and packaging must match across the CHED-PP, phytosanitary certificate, invoice, packing list, and transport document.
- Document quality. Clear, color scans of the Indonesian phytosanitary certificate and a readable packing breakdown. Avoid handwritten corrections on the PC. If there are amendments, reissue the PC.
- Timing and BCP fit. Pre-notify early and pick a Border Control Post approved for your commodity and modality. The “first point of entry” rule still applies, so choose the correct BCP for the first EU landing.
Step-by-step: Part I of CHED-PP in TRACES NT (2026)
Here’s the practical workflow we follow with EU importers and their brokers.
- Confirm roles in TRACES NT. The EU importer or their customs agent acts as the Operator Responsible for the Consignment (ORC). They create Part I. Exporters outside the EU can’t usually submit Part I unless they hold an EU-registered TRACES account, which is rare.
- Start a new CHED-PP. Select the correct BCP where the consignment physically enters the EU. Airfreight via Amsterdam? Choose Amsterdam’s plant BCP. Don’t pick the final destination inland control point unless it’s an approved BCP for plant products and your route is authorized.
- Identify the commodity. Use product description and CN code. Examples: cucumbers 0707 or 0709.40, tomatoes 0702, peppers 0709.60, onions 0703.10, carrots 0706.10, lettuce 0705.11, eggplant 0709.30, radish 0706.90, beetroot 0706.90. Your CN8 on customs must align with the CHED description.
- Fill origin and consignor/consignee. Country of origin: Indonesia. Ensure addresses match all documents.
- Transport details. Enter vessel or flight number, container and seal numbers for sea, or AWB for air. Add estimated arrival date and time.
- Quantities and packaging. Use the same units as the PC. If the PC lists 1,200 cartons x 5 kg, mirror that. Avoid “about” or ranges.
- Treatments. If any pre-export treatment was applied, add it exactly as on the PC. If none, leave blank.
- Attach documents. At minimum: Indonesian phytosanitary certificate, commercial invoice, packing list, BL or AWB, and any treatment certificate. Combine multi-page files into one PDF per document type to keep it clean.
- Pre-notify. Submit Part I to the BCP. In our experience, 24 hours before arrival is the safe baseline. Some BCPs accept shorter windows for air. Check local BCP guidance.
- Monitor and respond. BCP performs documentary check first. If identity or physical checks are required, arrange access. Keep the original PC with the shipment unless the BCP accepts ePhyto.
Practical tip: If you’re shipping premium lines that live or die by freshness, like Japanese Cucumber (Kyuri) or Baby Romaine, confirm inspection hours and booking procedures with the BCP 48 hours before ETA. A missed slot can cost you a day.
Who’s allowed to create Part I of a CHED-PP?
The EU importer or an EU-based customs agent acting as ORC. Exporters in Indonesia can’t usually submit Part I directly. We prep a complete “CHED kit” for the importer to copy-paste: commodity lines, packaging, weights, CN codes, and attachments. If you need a template, Contact us on whatsapp.
Required documents for CHED-PP (fresh vegetables)
- Indonesian phytosanitary certificate. Original accompanies the shipment unless the BCP accepts ePhyto via the IPPC hub. In 2026, ePhyto acceptance has expanded, but we still ship the paper original unless told otherwise.
- Commercial invoice and packing list with exact carton counts and net/gross weights.
- Transport document. Ocean BL or AWB.
- Any treatment certificate. Fumigation or cold treatment if applicable.
- Optional but helpful: pallet list with label photos, temperature logger summary for chilled loads, and the customs CN code confirmation.
Double-check that the botanical name on the PC matches the product. We’ve seen Solanum melongena typed as Solanum tuberosum. That’s eggplant vs potato and will trigger questions.
Timing: when to pre-notify and how long checks take
- Pre-notification. Aim for at least 24 hours before arrival at the BCP. Some ports ask for “by close of business the previous working day.” Airfreight sometimes allows same-day notifications, but don’t count on it at peak hours.
- Processing time. Documentary checks often clear within 2–6 hours once assigned. Identity and physical checks can add 1–24 hours depending on queues and sampling. Air hubs run faster; busy seaports can take longer.
- Fees. Expect BCP inspection fees and, if sampled, lab fees. Build that into landed cost.
Our rule of thumb: for sea shipments, budget an extra day at the first EU port. For air, half a day if everything is tidy.
Common mistakes that trigger delays at the BCP
- Choosing CHED-P instead of CHED-PP for vegetables. You’ll have to cancel and resubmit.
- Picking a BCP that isn’t approved for plant products or your transport mode.
- Mismatched counts. Cartons, net weight, or variety names differ between CHED, PC, and invoice.
- Wrong or vague CN codes. Don’t throw everything into 0709.99 unless it truly fits.
- Low-quality scans. Crooked, gray photocopies of the PC slow down documentary checks.
- Late pre-notification. Arriving before the BCP has even seen your file creates overnight storage.
- Phytosanitary certificate corrections by hand. Get a clean reissue.
Fix these, and you remove 80% of avoidable headaches.
Practical Q&A we get every week
Is CHED-P required for fresh vegetables from Indonesia?
No. Use CHED-PP. CHED-P is for animal-origin products and some composite foods.
What’s the difference between CHED-PP and CHED-D for vegetables?
CHED-PP covers plant health. It’s tied to the phytosanitary certificate. CHED-D covers increased official controls for contaminants or pesticide residues under Reg. 2019/1793. A consignment can require both if it’s fresh, regulated for plant health, and also listed under 2019/1793.
Who can create Part I of a CHED-PP in TRACES NT?
The EU importer or their customs agent, registered as the Operator Responsible for the Consignment.
Which documents must I attach to a CHED-PP?
At minimum: phytosanitary certificate, invoice, packing list, BL/AWB, and any treatment certificate. Add supporting photos or pallet lists if needed.
How far in advance should I submit the CHED-PP before arrival?
At least 24 hours is our safe standard. Always check the specific BCP’s cut-off.
What happens if I select the wrong CHED type in TRACES NT?
BCP will not process the file. You’ll need to cancel and resubmit under the correct CHED. That can mean new queue times.
Do all Indonesian vegetables need a phytosanitary certificate for the EU?
Fresh, unprocessed vegetables generally do. Frozen or heat-processed vegetable products typically don’t. Always verify against the EU’s plant health listings.
Choosing the right BCP and linking to customs
Pick the BCP at the first EU point of entry that is authorized for “plants and plant products” and your transport mode. If you plan to move the container inland for inspection, confirm the routing is permitted and the inland point is a designated BCP.
After the BCP completes Part II and releases, your broker can link the CHED-PP to the customs entry by adding the MRN in TRACES NT or referencing the CHED number in customs declarations. Keep the identifiers consistent across systems to avoid holds.
Need help matching the HS code with the CHED commodity line for items like Tomatoes or Red Cayenne Pepper? We’re happy to sanity-check your draft. Contact us on whatsapp.
When CHED-D enters the picture
Check the latest version of Reg. 2019/1793. If your HS code from Indonesia is listed for increased controls, you’ll need a CHED-D and the consignment may be sampled for pesticide residues or other contaminants. This applies even to some processed or frozen items. CHED-D checks happen at a Designated Point of Entry (DPE), which may be the same physical location as your BCP, but the procedure is separate from plant health.
Operationally, we treat CHED-PP and CHED-D as parallel tracks. Two notifications. Two potential queues. Coordinate timings so samples don’t sit while the plant health check is pending, and vice versa.
Final takeaways
- Fresh Indonesian vegetables need CHED-PP plus a phytosanitary certificate. CHED-P is not the right door.
- Get the basics right: consistent data, sharp documents, and early pre-notification.
- Watch for dual applicability. If your HS code is in 2019/1793, expect CHED-D as well.
- Align TRACES data with customs CN codes and keep the MRN/CHED references tidy.
If you’d like to see how we prepare shipments for quality-sensitive lines like Japanese Cucumber (Kyuri) or Baby Romaine, explore our range and specifications. View our products.