November Update and future changes for January 2022 On 31 December 2020, the UK left the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union. This has meant change for business and for citizens, including new processes and requirements. The first phase of such changes came in on 1 January this year. The Government put in place the staffing, infrastructure, and IT to support this. On 14 September 2021, the Government announced changes to the timetable for introducing import border control processes in the Border Operating Model. The existing controls that were introduced on 1 January 2021 will continue to remain in place. This includes export requirements for all goods and full customs declaration requirements for controlled goods at the point of import. Businesses have faced a range of challenges over recent months as they recover from the global pandemic which has impacted supply chains across Europe. This is being felt particularly by the agri-food sector, where new requirements on importing products of animal origin were due to be introduced in October 2021. Rather than introduce these controls at this time, the Government has listened to those who have called for a new approach to give businesses more time to adjust. Under the revised timetable: • Full customs declarations and controls will be introduced on 1 January 2022 as previously announced, although Safety and Security Declarations will now not be required until 01 July 2022. • Pre-notification requirements of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) goods, which were due to be introduced on 01 October 2021, will now be introduced on 01 January 2022. • From 01 July 2022, certification and physical checks will be introduced for: – All remaining regulated animal by-products. – All regulated plants and plant products – All meat and meat products. – All remaining high-risk food not of animal origin. • From 01 September 2022, certification and physical checks will be introduced for all dairy products • From 01 November 2022, certification and physical checks will be introduced for all remaining regulated products of animal origin, including composite products and fish products. • High-priority plants and plant products checks will transfer from place of destination to designated BCPs and control points from 01 July 2022. • Live animal physical checks will take place at designated border control posts where a facility is operational at the point of entry. Where there is no designated BCP, checks will remain at destination for other ports of entry until sufficient BCPs are operational. Checks at Sevington inland BCP and designated airport BCPs will commence from 01 July 2022. This will provide businesses with further time to prepare for changes at the border and minimise disruption as the economy gradually recovers, as the Government recognises the scale and significance of the challenges businesses have been facing in dealing with the impacts of coronavirus whilst also being asked to adjust to the new requirements. We will continue to give businesses the support they need to trade effectively with the EU, including through export helplines, webinars with experts and support via our network of 300 international trade advisers. For the January 2022 changes you can view the Border Operating Model on the link below or download the pdf: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1034308/20211117_November_BordersOPModel_Final.pdf Our International Training dates for 2022 are here – so make sure you book your places early to avoid disappointment. If you would like to book a place or you have any questions then please get in touch with the International team on: [email protected] You can view a full list of our upcoming training dates in 2022 here
