The Border Operating Model has been updated and confirms the UK’s approach to import controls from July 2022.
Following the UK Government’s announcement in September 2021 that EU to GB Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) import controls will begin from 1 July 2022, we can now share the approach and timetable for these changes.
We will introduce certification, documentary, ID and physical checks, by commodity groups for products of animal origin, animal by-products, plant and plant products, in three phases between 1 July and 1 November 2022.
The timetable is as follows:
From 1 July, certification and physical and identity checks will be introduced for:
- All remaining regulated animal by-products
- All regulated plants and plant products
- All meat and meat products
- All remaining high-risk food not of animal origin.
From 1st September, certification and physical checks will be introduced for all dairy products.
From 1st November, certification and physical checks will be introduced for all remaining regulated products of animal origin, including composite and fish products.
Live animal checks will also begin in stages incrementally moving from the point of destination to border control posts from 1 July 2022 as facilities become available and are appropriately designated.
This phased approach does not replace any existing import controls already in place and you should continue to follow these for importing your consignments.
We will provide further information from early 2022 about the phased approach and the actions you can take to prepare. In the meantime, please ensure you are prepared for the pre-notification requirements from 1 January 2022.
Requirements from 1 January 2022
From 1 January 2022, all POAO and ABP consignments need to be pre-notified on the Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS). If you haven’t done so already, please register for IPAFFS on gov.uk. There is information on how to register.
There is also a training video and guidance on how to create and complete a pre-notification on IPAFFS. Defra is running webinars on the import requirements from January 2022, which include a demonstration of completing a pre-notification on IPAFFS. You can attend a session by joining via the links below.
- Tuesday, 23 November 2021 | 10:00 – 11:00 | Click to join
- Tuesday, 30 November 2021 | 10:00 – 11:00 | Click to join
- Tuesday, 7 December 2021 | 10:00 – 11:00 | Click to join
Pre-notification – you must pre-notify your consignment on IPAFFS, at least 4 hours in advance of arriving into Great Britain. The 4 hours arrangement will remain in place until 30 June 2022.
We will provide information on pre-notifying your goods from 1 July 2022, in due course.
Attachments
- Phased_Import_Controls_Trader_Communication (pdf/151 KB)
