Industry News
Securing the future of the Sevington Inland Border Facility
It has now been just over a year since the introduction of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls on goods imported from the EU, as laid out in the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). As of 30 April 2024, BTOM introduced risk-based checks (physical and documentary) on medium- and high - risk plant and animal products arriving via the short straits. On the same day, Sevington Inland Border Facility (IBF) commenced its operations as the Border Control Post (BCP) facilitating the checks of the affected goods. Originally established in late 2021 as a temporary solution under a Special Development Order granted by The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sevington Inland Border Facility was always intended to support post-Brexit trade needs, with planning permission set to expire on 31 December 2025. Running and maintaining Sevington BCP comes with significant costs, and to fund its operation alongside the implementation of SPS checks, the Common User Charge (CUC) was introduced. DEFRA based the CUC on an estimated annual operating cost, dividing the estimated total cost by the projected
number of SPS commodity lines passing through the short straits routes. A year since the introduction of the CUC, BIFA has been advised that DEFRA is conducting a full review of the CUC rates. The updated charges for the 2025-2026 financial year are expected to be announced soon. In June 2025, the government escalated its commitment to the site by lodging a full Crown Development planning
application with the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). This step, taken through the Crown Development route, transfers the decision-making from the local authority to national level, signalling Sevington’s potential transition to a long-term installation. Once the application passes validation, PINS will commence a 30-day public consultation, after which it will determine whether the proposal should be decided via written representations, a hearing or a
public inquiry.
On completion of the chosen examination process, PINS will issue a report with recommendations. The document will go to the Secretary of State, who will make the final decision regarding Sevington’s future status. BIFA will monitor the developments and keep Members informed as soon as further information becomes available.
The Limits of Liability for Carriers
In association with
By sea – Hague Visby rules (2 SDR): £2.03 per kg £676.90 per package
By air – Warsaw Convention (17 SDR): £17.26 per kg
BIFA STC: (2 SDR): £2.03per kg
By road – CMR (8.33 SDR): £8.46 per kg
Insurance for the Marine & Logistics industries
(The SDR rate on 21 July 2025,
By air – Montreal Convention (26 SDR): £26.40 per kg
according to the IMF website, was 1.01535)
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August 2025 | 7
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