Policy & Compliance
UK to extend checks on sanitary and phyto-sanitary goods in April
Further post-Brexit changes await the industry this year bringing signi fi cantly increased potential for disruption at the border. Not only are there increased physical checks but also new validation processes between various government systems
T he UK’s exit from the EU was never going to be a single event but, as predicted, a series of minor departures from common policies, re-impositions of checks and barriers for goods and services coming from the EU or the introduction of new requirements and systems. Over the eight years since the referendum, the freight forwarding industry has experienced a number of policy changes and has learnt to use a flurry of new systems including GVMS, IPAFFS or S&S GB. Add to that the complexity of CDS, the system that arrived to replace CHIEF, and the picture one can see is that of continuous change together with an increased burden placed on the sector. The publication of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) in August 2023 added further impetus to the process but provided much needed clarity to the rollout of new UK policies for trade between the UK and EU. Consequently, 2024 seems set to be the year when the process will be completed, or at least be near completion. First phase of new controls This year has already seen the first phase of new controls on sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) goods implemented at the end of January, which included 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 (HRFNAO) from the EU.
Yet the January changes did not create a feeling of a major shift towards a more controlled environment. That was mostly due to the fact the changes did not require much additional activity from hauliers, freight forwarders or Customs agents. The changes that took place were mostly noticed by the actual seller and buyer, and vets issuing export health certificates in Europe. But further changes await the industry this year: from 30 April 2024 we will see 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. Existing inspections of high-risk plants/plant products from the EU will move from destination to Border Control Posts (BCP). Government will also begin to simplify imports from non-EU countries. This will include the removal of health certification and routine checks on low-risk animal products, plants and plant products from non-EU countries, as well as a reduction in physical and identity check levels on medium-risk animal products from non-EU countries.
What this means is significantly increased potential for disruption at the border. Not only will there be physical checks of certain categories of goods but also there will be new validation processes between various government systems, most notably CDS and IPAFFS. Data elements Specific data elements including weight, commodity codes and IPAFFS references declared in one system will be cross-validated against the other with very little room for error. Differently declared data or minor typing errors may potentially lead to a no-match scenario where a consignment may have to be presented at an Inland Border Facility (IBF) and/or a BCP. instructions, but also improved communication between various actors in the supply chain, will be key in avoiding system mismatches that potentially lead to delays at the border. Having touched on the importance of clarity of instructions and communication, it is concerning to see that the quality of guidance on how to, for instance, This in turn means that communication of clear
“ From 30April we will see 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
10 | April 2024
www.bifa.org
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker