The UK government has just released the new Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), which is due to be phased in from January 2024.
Following the UK leaving the European Union, new import and export customs procedures have been effective since 2021. However, the government held back applying some of the more complex controls, until now.
The planned phases are highlighted below:
31 January 2024
Export health certificates and phytosanitary certificates are introduced for medium risk animal products, plants and plant products imported to Great Britain from the EU & EFTA countries including Irish goods, as well as non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods.
Introduction of pre-notification for non-qualifying Northern Ireland and Ireland origin animal products, plant and plant products.
30 April 2024
Documentary checks and physical and identity checks at the border are introduced for medium risk animal products, plant and plant products imported to Great Britain from the EU & EFTA countries (excluding those goods being imported from the Republic of Ireland).
Existing inspections of high-risk plants/plant products from the EU will move from destination to Border Control Posts.
HMRC also begin to simplify imports from non-EU countries. This will include the removal of health certification and routine checks on low-risk animal products, plants, plant products from non-EU countries as well as reduction in physical and identity check levels on medium-risk animal products from non-EU countries. Pre-notification will no longer be required for low-risk plants and plant products.
31 October 2024
Safety and Security declarations for EU imports will come into force.
A reduced dataset introduced for imports and use of the UK Single Trade Window will remove duplication where possible across different pre-arrival datasets – such as Safety and Security, and pre-lodged customs declarations.
From 31 October 2024
The introduction of documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks on medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin from the EU on the west coast of Great Britain.
(The date for the commencement of physical checks for non-qualifying goods moving from the island of Ireland will be confirmed in Autumn 2023.)
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