Next Phase of Border Operating Model Delayed Until End of 2023

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EU and UK flag on a beach

The Border Operating Model is the phased approach the British Government uses to implement border controls between the European Union and the United Kingdom now that the UK has left the EU. The first phase went live on January 1st, 2021. The second phase was postponed already before but has now been further delayed again.

Jacob Rees Mogg has stated:

"No further import controls on EU goods will be introduced this year. Businesses can stop their preparations for July now…

…This new approach will apply equally to goods from the EU and goods from the rest of the world. It will be based on a proper assessment of risk, with a proportionate, risk-based, and technologically advanced approach to controls. This includes the Single Trade Window which will start to deliver in 2023, the creation of an Ecosystem of Trust between government and industry, and other transformational projects as part of our 2025 Borders Strategy.

The controls that have already been introduced will remain in place.

Specifically, the following controls which were planned for introduction from July 2022 will now not be introduced:

  • A requirement for further Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks on EU imports currently at destination to be moved to Border Control Post (BCP).
  • A requirement for safety and security declarations on EU imports.
  • A requirement for further health certification and SPS checks for EU imports.
  • Prohibitions and restrictions on the import of chilled meats from the EU."

The next phase of the Border Operating Model was planned to go live in July 2022. This has now been postponed until the end of 2023.

Postponed Changes:

The import documents for the animal health products you export need to have the Unique Notification Number (UNN) that the IPAFFS system generates. An original health certificate must also travel with your shipment and copies of all the other documents. British Customs will no longer accept a photocopy of the health certificate when an inspection is required. The health certificate also needs to have the UNN.

Inspection of Animal Health Products

Shipments of animal products and other port health-controlled goods will need to enter the UK through a port that has an assigned Border Control Post (BCP). This BCP will be at or near the port. If your shipment is flagged for inspection, your consignment must be presented to the BCP with all the supporting documentation. For this reason, it is required that an original health certificate, and copies of all paperwork, physically accompany your shipment.

Changes to other food products

There will also be changes in Brexit customs clearance procedures for dairy, fish, composite, and all other port health-controlled products. These additional checks will follow the same process as animal products, with original health certificates and copies of all other paperwork required to accompany your shipment.

Currently, IPAFFS pre-notifications are required on all of these. For all these checks, the implementation time will be the end of 2023. This autumn, the British Government will release a new timeline for the next phase of the Border Operating Model.

Exception for Northern Ireland

If you are shipping products from Northern Ireland to the British mainland, these changes do not apply. The Northern Ireland Protocol is still under review between the United Kingdom and the European Union, with no clear guidance on what changes will be made or when they will be made.

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