Government focuses on recovery from covid with new timeline for border control processes on import of goods

• Full processes for some imports will not be required until January 2022.

• Overall freight volumes between the UK and the EU have been back to their normal levels since the start of February.

A new timetable for introducing import border control processes has been set out by the government today (Thursday 11 March) to enable UK businesses to focus on their recovery.

The government has listened to businesses who have faced an unprecedented challenge during the pandemic and will now introduce full border control processes on 1 January 2022, six months later than originally planned.

This will provide businesses with further time to prepare for changes at the border and minimise disruption as the economy gradually reopens, as the government recognises the scale and significance of the challenges businesses have been facing in adjusting to the new requirements, at the same time as dealing with the impacts of COVID.

Cabinet Office Minister Lord Frost of Allenton said:

“As a sovereign trading nation outside the EU, we have freedom to take decisions in our national interest – and in the interest of our businesses.

“We will now introduce border controls broadly six months later than planned to give traders time to focus on getting back on their feet as the economy opens up after a difficult year.

“We are confident that this new timetable will allow import businesses to re-establish their trading arrangements after a difficult period due to coronavirus, in the most straightforward and lightest touch way possible.”

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. This is in addition to the £20m SME Brexit Support Fund we have made available in consultation with the country’s biggest trade bodies.

The hard work already put in by traders and hauliers has already seen overall freight volumes between the UK and EU rebound after an expected dip in January as a result of Covid-19 restrictions, pre-January stockpiling, and some initial teething problems as businesses adapted to new rules for trade with the EU. The very latest management information shows that overall freight volumes between the UK and the EU have been back to their normal levels since the start of February.

More detail about how to trade can be found on GOV.UK.

ENDS

Notes to editors

• The option to use the deferred declaration scheme, including submitting supplementary declarations up to six months after the goods have been imported, has been extended to 1 January 2022. This will continue to apply to standard goods. Controlled goods will continue to need to submit full customs declarations at the point of importation.

• The new timeline for border controls is as follows:

• From 1 October 2021:

• Pre-notification requirements will be required for products of animal origin, high risk food not of animal origin (HRFNAO) and certain animal by products.

• Export health certificates will be required for products of animal origin and certain animal by products.

• From 1 January 2022:

• Safety and Security declarations for imported goods will be required.

• Physical SPS checks for products of animal origin, certain animal by products, HRFNAO and high risk plants will take place at Border Control Posts.

• Prenotification requirements and documentary checks, including phytosanitary certificates will be introduced for low risk plants and plant products.

• Customs declarations on all goods will be required at the point of import and businesses will no longer be able to use the deferred declaration scheme.

• From 1 March 2022:

• Checks at Border Control Posts will take place on live animals, low risk plants and plant products.

• Whilst UK Government systems and infrastructure would be ready for the introduction of new controls in July, the overriding priority is to support businesses to recover from the impact of COVID and that is why today’s announcement has been made.

• Traders moving controlled goods into GB will continue not to be eligible for the deferred customs declaration approach and will therefore be required to complete a full customs declaration when the goods enter GB, in line with the requirements for goods moving into GB from the RoW.

• An updated Border Operating Model will be published in due course.

• To help business with the new rules, the government is:

• • Meeting businesses from specific sectors across all parts of the UK weekly through the Brexit Business Taskforce co-chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove and Lord Frost;

  • Establishing the Seafood Exports Working Group, meeting twice a week to troubleshoot issues raised by the industry; and a newly established Scottish Seafood Exports Task Force;

  • Offering support to businesses moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland through its Trader Support Service;

  • Providing numerous helplines which businesses can contact if they need further information;

  • This includes managing dedicated HMRC exporting telephone and online helplines; The number is 0300 322 9434 and businesses can also speak to an adviser online at tax.service.gov.uk;

  • Running regular webinars with policy specialists;

  • Providing the Brexit Checker Tool on GOV.UK which gives businesses a personalised list of actions that they need to take;

  • Offering face-to-face support for exporters in delivered via a network of around 300 International Trade Advisers (ITAs);

  • Leading a specific taskforce working with businesses across Northern Ireland and Great Britain on issues related to the Northern Ireland Protocol; and

  • Operating a range of other support schemes including a guarantee scheme aimed at SMEs which means the government can provide an 80% guarantee on financial support from lenders to help with general exporting costs, up to the value of £25 million;

  • Providing £20 million in grants to support SMEs adjust to new customs, rules of origin, and VAT rules when trading with the EU.

• Further information about our internal management information about freight volumes can be found here.