As part of the phased implementation of the UK’s new Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) for goods imports from the EU, on 30th April 2024, new documentary checks and physical and identity inspections will be introduced at border control posts at GB ports, airports and inland sites for medium-risk animal products, plants, and plant products arriving from EU countries.
At the same time, the removal of health certification and routine checks on low-risk animal products, plants, and plant products from the rest of the world will be implemented, along with a reduction in physical and identity check levels on medium-risk non-EU animal products as part of a new global risk-based approach.
These border checks are critical to safeguarding and balancing biosecurity controls and trade facilitation, while reducing burdens for traders and importers where possible.
What Types of Goods Are Affected
The new checks will apply to imports of:
- Medium-risk animal products
- Plants and plant products
These categories were determined based on assessments of biosecurity threats posed by those goods.
What the New Requirements Involve
For the goods covered, importers will need to take several preparatory steps:
- Submit pre-notifications for the shipments in advance using the UK’s Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS).
- Obtain the required health certificates and phytosanitary certificates from authorities in the EU country of export.
- Undergo documentary checks and physical/identity checks at designated border control posts after the goods arrive.
What does this mean?
- For animal products, the checks will review compliance with health attestations related to disease status and public health standards.
- Documentary checks for plants/plant products will review phytosanitary requirements and pest status.
Feedback will be provided to importers on any non-compliance identified. Educational checks may also be conducted. No charges will be applied initially for documentary checks of EU imports.
Risk-Based Border Check Levels
The checks will be risk-based, meaning the frequency could vary quite a bit. Some products will only undergo 1% checks, while others could see much higher rates depending on factors like disease prevalence associated with particular commodities or countries of origin.
For instance, regulators may mandate checking 1-30% of some categories like dairy, fish and meat products based on assessments of hazards. This calibrated approach allows controls to be targeted where needed most.
Inspections can involve:
- Review of seals, labelling, packaging etc to check integrity & compliance.
- Visual inspection for contamination, damage etc.
- Sampling for laboratory testing.
Impacts on Supply Chains
Importers should prepare for these time-critical steps of pre-notification, documentation, and checks at the border which could slow certain supply chains if not properly planned for. Businesses should review sources of incoming EU goods and understand the risk profiles that will dictate the extent of inspections applied at the end of April 2024.
Stay tuned with Digicom for more details on the Border Target Operating Model changes and guidance for navigating the new import requirements.
