Since the UK officially exited the European Union in January 2020, there has been lots of new legislation for both importers and exporters to consider when clearing customs. Things have been changing rapidly and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
So how can businesses prepare and adapt? In this article, we’ll highlight some of the key changes that we know about, that have either already taken place over the first 6 months of 2024, are due later this year, or are expected in 2025 and beyond that may impact your business.
2024
Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) Health Certificate requirements for low, medium, and high-risk imports from the EU
Changes to the legislation for imports of animal products, plants and non-animal foodstuffs from the EU came into effect in January 2024. Depending on the low, medium or high-risk category of your shipment, you will need a minimum amount of supporting documents, as well as a possible supplementary declaration.
Full customs control for goods moving from Irish ports to GB
Since 31st of January 2024, good from the Republic of Ireland have required full import customs clearance controls when shipping to the UK. Goods from Northern Ireland may also need full declarations if travelling through the Republic of Ireland or are not qualifying goods.
Document waiver code 999L removed for import clearances
The 999L code on the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) was removed for imports at the end of January 2024.
New documentation criteria for food and feed of non-animal origin
From March, affected goods require a CHED-D document. There is also a temporary increase in examinations in place for each type and origin of consignment.
BTOM risk categories rolled out to non-EU exports
From the 30th April 2024, the BTOM risk categories, introduced in January for EU-originating products, were extended to non-EU goods. Random checks will also begin for EU-originating goods that qualified for additional checks in January.
SCDP and SEDP changes
May 2024 saw changes to the Simplified Customs Declarations Process (SCDP) and the Simplified Export Declaration Process (SEDP) with the aim to provide businesses with more time to meet their requirements.
ICS2 for maritime transport
The third phase of the EU’s import control system 2 was completed in June 2024, rolling out pre-arrival safety and security data requirements to maritime traffic. A further release is expected in April 2025 for road and rail operators.
The New Computerised Transit System Phase 5 (NCTS)
NCTS 5 was launched on the 1st July 2024. It is used to facilitate transit clearances between the UK and the EU.
Windsor Framework UKIMS green lane access
Any business registered on the UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) which replaces the UK Trader Scheme can gain access to the ‘green lane’ processes for qualifying shipments from the end of September 2024.
S&S declarations for EU imports
From October 2024, the UK will require S&S declarations for some transport lanes, similar to the ICS2 pre-arrival safety and security declarations in the EU.
2025
999L removed from export declarations
Similar to the update in January 2024, the 999L code will be removed from all export declarations from 31st January 2025.
ICS2 for road and rail
As mentioned earlier, the remaining road and rail rollout of ICS2 protocols is expected in April 2025.
2027
UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
The UK has launched a plan for a version of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Model in 2027. It will be designed to offset embedded emissions in some imported products and mitigate the risk of carbon leakage by applying a carbon price (CBAM rate) to some imported goods.
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Want to know more? Check out our dedicated customs page here.