UK Border Operating Model
UK Border Operating Model
Update: 16/10/2023
UK requirements for imports from Ireland are now due to take effect on a phased basis in line with the schedule outlined below
• 20 December 2023
Permanent waivers will be introduced removing the requirement to submit Safety and Security declarations for the following low risk movements:
• outbound fish
• outbound transit (where an entry summary declaration has been lodged within 14 days)
• and
• outbound freeport goods.
• 31 January 2024
• Imports of SPS goods from Ireland will need to be pre-notified on the UK's SPS import system IPAFFS. This requirement already applies to imports of such goods from the rest of the European Union (EU) since 1 January 2022.
• Export health certificates and phytosanitary certificates will apply to medium risk animal products and plant and plant products imported to Great Britain (GB) from the EU.
• Full customs formalities will apply to goods moving directly from Ireland into ports in GB.
Note
• UK import declarations will need to be pre-lodged and notified using the Goods Vehicle Movement System (GVMS). Hauliers who move goods through UK ports which use the GVMS will need to register for the service. This will help to ensure that goods are processed through customs without delay.
• 30 April 2024
• Documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks will apply to the following products from the EU (excluding Ireland):
• medium-risk animal products
• medium-risk plants
• medium-risk plant products
and
• high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin.
• 31 October 2024
• Safety and Security declarations for EU imports will come into force from 31 October 2024. A reduced dataset for imports will remove duplication, where possible, across different pre-arrival datasets such as Safety and Security, SPS and pre-lodged customs declarations.
• Documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks will apply to the following products from Ireland at ports on the west coast of GB:
• medium-risk animal products
• medium-risk plants
• medium-risk plant products
and
• high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin.
• The date of commencement of physical checks for non-qualifying goods moving from the island of Ireland will be confirmed in autumn 2023.
Update: 09/05/2023
The UK Government (DEFRA) has published its risk categories for EU SPS imports: Please see the table on Page 30 of the draft TOM (see here) which sets out the controls and indicative checks for each risk category. To view the Plants and Plant Product TOM Risk Categories click here. To view the Animals and Animal Products TOM Risk Categories click here.
DEFRA has also published model health certificates for competent authorities and exporters in EU and non-EU countries that show import requirements for Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. They are available here.
Update: 05/04/2023
The UK announced the Target Operating Model proposal, marking the start of a 6 week engagement period, where they will be collating feedback from all border stakeholders. The UK government says that the model's objective is to simplify, digitise and improve the risk-based targeting of the UK’s SPS import controls on goods entering GB without reducing the level of biosecurity and consumer protection.
The headlines are:
31 October 2023 - The introduction of health certification on imports of medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food (and feed) of non-animal origin from the EU.
31 January 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. At this point imports of Sanitary and Phytosanitary goods from the rest of the world will begin to benefit from the new risk- based model.
31 October 2024 - Safety and Security declarations for EU imports will come into force from 31 October 2024. Alongside this, the UK government will introduce a reduced dataset for imports and use of the UK Single Trade Window will remove duplication where possible across different pre-arrival datasets.
The Headlines for Ireland:
31 October 2023: In line with the wider Border Target Operating Model, on 31st October 2023 we will introduce Prenotification, Export Health Certificates and Phytosanitary Certificates for Irish medium risk animal products, plant and plant products moving directly from Ireland into GB ports.
Alongside this, full customs controls will be introduced for goods moving directly from Ireland into GB ports.
We will confirm when and how we will introduce: SPS documentary, physical and identity checks; and Safety and Security declarations for goods moving directly from Ireland to GB in the final Border Target Operating Model we publish later this year.
Read the full update here:
The draft Border Target Operating Model proposes a new approach to security controls (applying to all imports), and sanitary and phytosanitary controls (applying to imports of live animals, animal products, plants and plants products) at the border. It sets out how controls will be simplified, digitised and, over time, delivered through the UK’s new Single Trade Window. The document has been developed through engagement with stakeholders, collaboration across the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments, and engagement with officials from the devolved administration in Northern Ireland.
This has been long in the making and the UK government says it is now able to launch a risk-based model that will be as efficient and effective as possible. They will be publishing the full commodity details of the EU risk categories at the end of April 2023, treating the EU as a single epidemiological entity.
Reflecting input from border stakeholders throughout the supply chain, the implementation of the TOM will be phased in, with controls beginning only once stakeholders have had sufficient time to prepare for any changes.
The UK government is inviting stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposals before a final version is published in June.
S&S controls:
The Safety and Security (S&S) import controls model under the TOM seeks to minimise trader burdens and maintain border security while remaining aligned with international standards.
Under the new model, the UK government will be ending the waiver for S&S declarations for EU imports. It’s anticipated this will improve the UK’s security as the ability to collect S&S data from goods originating from or transiting the EU represents a key post-EU Exit opportunity to enhance the intelligence picture.
The introduction of S&S controls for EU imports will be aligned to the introduction of the Single Trade Window in October 2024, which will bring together multiple customs data.
Border Target Operating Model Engagement:
The Border Target Operating Model has been produced and developed in collaboration with stakeholders. The UK government wants to continue engaging with stakeholders and to test the model in draft form.
The online survey provides a way for stakeholders to contribute feedback across all aspects of the model. You can access the survey here.
There will also be opportunities for direct discussions to complement the feedback gathered by the survey.
The Cabinet Office will run a programme of engagement with stakeholders from all nations of the UK and international partners. This will commence on 5th April and last for a six week period. It will consist of sector specific workshops, international events as well as wider stakeholder groups and bespoke sessions, covering all aspects of the Border Target Operating Model.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will host sector specific sessions and seminars for those who import or export: food, live animals, animal products, plants and/or plants products to or from the United Kingdom.
And there is a full list of engagement activities here.
Bord Bia will also be hosting webinars, workshops and providing 1:1 support to client companies.
Details of these supports will be communicated to client companies soon.
Update: 09/05/2023
The UK Government (DEFRA) has published its risk categories for EU SPS imports: Please see the table on Page 30 of the draft TOM (see here) which sets out the controls and indicative checks for each risk category. To view the Plants and Plant Product TOM Risk Categories click here. To view the Animals and Animal Products TOM Risk Categories click here.
DEFRA has also published model health certificates for competent authorities and exporters in EU and non-EU countries that show import requirements for Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. They are available here.