The United Kingdom will introduce simplified post-Brexit customs controls to and from the European Union (EU) by the end of 2024, the British government announced on Wednesday.
“Our approach is to minimize the burden for importers or exporters and maintain security at the border, while maintaining alignment with international standards,” the published plan underlines.
The system is based on a risk assessment, in which live animals, germinal products, animal products and plants will be classified as high, moderate or low risk, with controls adapted to the country of origin.
“Simplified and digitized” export health certificates will be used from spring this year for products of animal origin, but physical controls will only be available in January.
As of October 31, 2024, security declarations will be required for most goods coming from the EU, almost four years after the exit from the single European market and the end of the free movement of goods.
The reform, which aims to reduce the number of inspections and red tape, is accompanied by an “investment of more than one billion pounds” (1,140 million euros) to improve customs technology, the Executive has indicated.
The plan includes a scheme so that “authorized” importing companies of plant or animal products can benefit from reduced controls, but they will have to “provide guarantees and proof that they comply with the norms and regulatory requirements.”
Mandatory security data will be reduced from the current 37 fields to 24, with 13 becoming optional, and a single window for imports and exports will be created.
In April 2022, the UK cited the war in Ukraine and rising fuel prices as factors in postponing for the fourth time the introduction of additional post-Brexit red tape and customs checks.
The decision was intended to allow savings of up to one billion pounds (1.14 billion euros) in annual costs for British companies.
In January 2021, controls on imports of higher-risk animals, animal products, plants and plant products from the EU were introduced.
However, it still requires sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) safety certificates on fresh food, especially of animal origin, and there are no physical inspections at the border. Documentation can be provided later by importers.
By contrast, the EU introduced post-Brexit customs controls immediately when the transition period ended and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement entered into force on January 1, 2021.
At the origin of the British delay was the delay in the creation of the necessary infrastructure, the logistical difficulties in global supply networks after the Covid-19 pandemic and the tolerance of companies to adapt to Brexit.
Source: TSF
