Form: Statutory Firewood Notification Scheme

Updated: The online version of the notification form has been updated.

You must complete and submit a notification form for each new consignment of firewood for import.

Go online to submit notifications

You can notify the Forestry Commission of solid fuel (firewood) imports online. You should enrol on the scheme first.

You’ll get a unique reference number for your consignment. Use this number in any correspondence with us.

How to submit your paper form

Print the form and complete it manually, then post to:

Plant Health Service

Forestry Commission

Silvan House

231 Corstorphine Road

Edinburgh

EH12 7AT

Or, you can download and complete the form electronically or scan your manually completed form and email it to plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Read the full guide on importing firewood into Great Britain.




Collection: Tree pests and diseases

There are many things you can do to prevent or minimise the introduction, establishment, spread and impacts of tree pests and diseases, including:

  • learning to recognise and report pests and diseases of concern
  • adopting good biosecurity practice to avoid the spread of organisms from place to place
  • not bringing soil or plants back from holidays abroad

Understand the threat to our trees

The damage to our trees, woods and forests from insect pests and organisms such as bacteria and fungi is significant. The rapid increase in movements of goods and people between countries has increased the risk of spreading pests and diseases. They can travel hidden in plants, plant products, packaging, wood, vehicles and holidaymakers’ luggage – even in the soil carried on shoes.

Some of these pests and diseases do little harm in their native environments, where predators, environmental factors and co-evolution with their host plants keep them in check. However, they can cause significant damage to trees and plants in other countries where those limiting factors are not present. Some single species of insect, fungus or bacterium can damage or kill dozens of different plant species, including trees. As well as causing economic losses for the forestry, timber and plant-based industries, they can disrupt other sectors, such as tourism, and threaten woodland biodiversity, ecosystems and native species.

Get notifications about tree pests and diseases

Sign up for, and read previous editions of, the Forestry Commission’s Tree Health News newsletter.

Follow the Forestry Commission on Twitter.

Contact the tree health teams

Make a general enquiry about tree, woodland and forest health in England

For the rest of the UK, see:

You can also find more information on scientific research into tree pests and diseases.




Detailed guide: Export wood or wood products to non-EU countries

Controlled species

Check with the country’s National Plant Protection Organisation if you plan to export to non-EU countries. This gives you information for specific country plant health regulations.

Regulated material

Find out about regulations for export to non-EU countries.

Wood packaging and dunnage

If you export using wood packaging and dunnage, you must check if the product is regulated in destination countries.




Guidance: Plant health news

Please contact the Forestry Commission’s Cross-Border Plant Health Service for more information.




Form: Become a registered trader

Read Forestry Commission guidance on trading in timber and timber products before you apply to become a registered trader.

Notes on submitting the form

Make sure your application is received by us as soon as possible and, in any event, before you begin to trade in any of the material mentioned in this form.

Keep a record of the information you entered on this form.

Remember to sign and date the back page.

You can also request an application pack or further information by emailing plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk, or calling 0300 067 5155.

Post your application form to:

Forestry Commission

Plant Health Service

Silvan House

231 Corstorphine Road

Edinburgh

EH12 7AT

Payment options

If you import regulated wood material and are registered with the Forestry Commission to do so, you can apply for a credit account.