Post-Brexit SPS Border Changes to be Delayed
Date published:
Changes to the UK customs border, which were set to be implemented at the end of this month, have been delayed until next year. The changes, primarily related to the import of Sanitary-Phytosanitary (SPS) products from the European Union, were supposed to come into force from October 2021 as ‘Phase 2’ of the UK’s new Border Operating Model.
They require the import of animal or plant origin to be pre-notified to the relevant authority before being cleared into the UK’s customs territory, as well as new certification requirements including Export Health Certificates and Phyto-sanitary certificates.
The new timeline for the changes to the GB border is below:
Agri-foods imported from the European Union will need to be pre-notified from 1 January 2022, rather than 1 October 2021
Export Health Certificates will be required on relevant goods imported from the European Union from 1 July 2022, rather than 1 October 2021
Phytosanitary Certificates and physical checks on SPS goods will now be introduced on 1 July 2022, rather than on 1 January 2022
Safety and Security declarations on imports will be introduced on 1 July 2022 rather than 1 January 2022
The date for full customs procedures and customs checks for goods imported from the European Union remains unchanged from the pre-existing date of 1 January 2022.
Guidance on importing products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) is available here.
Guidance on importing live animals, germinal products, animal by-products and high risk food and feed not of animal origin is available here.
Full guidance on the UK Border Operating Model can be found here.