Brexit: UK postpones controls on imports from EU

The UK government announced on 14 September that it would be extending its timetable for the introduction of the final stages of UK customs controls on imports from the EU, particularly for agri-food products, due to the impact of the pandemic and related pressures on global supply chains.

The dates for the new requirements to be introduced are now:
 

• 1 January 2022:
  • pre-notification of agri-food imports (previously 1 October 2021)
  • full customs declarations will needed at the time of import for all goods, although some traders will be eligible for simplified declarations (no change to date)
  • any applicable tariffs will be payable at the time of import for all goods, although some traders will be eligible to defer payments (no change to date)

• 1 July 2022:
  • Export Health Certificates (previously 1 October 2021)
  • Phytosanitary Certificates and physical checks on SPS goods at Border Control Posts (previously 1 January 2022)
  • Safety and Security declarations on imports (previously 1 January 2022).

These changes do not affect exports from Great Britain to the EU, which have been subject to full customs controls since 1 January 2021.

Exports from Northern Ireland to the EU are not subject to customs. Goods shipped from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are subject to certain controls, but grace periods for the implementation of the full controls established by the Northern Ireland Protocol were recently extended by the UK government without new deadlines.
 

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Fieldfisher's Brexit Taskforce can help you understand the impact of these changes on your business and help to manage your online services, whether selling into the UK or the EEA.