The Financial Times reported last week that post-Brexit UK border food checks, that were due to commence at the end of February, have been delayed again due to cost and inflation fears.<\/b><\/p>\n
Delayed since 2021, when the EU imposed their own border checks, health certification on imports of \u201cmedium-risk\u201d products were due to start in October, with physical checks beginning in January 2024 and safety and security declarations for EU imports introduced from October 2024.<\/p>\n
Under the proposed controls, food products coming to the UK from the EU would require \u201cexport health certificates\u201d costing several hundred euros, with a physical sign-off by a veterinary surgeon.<\/p>\n
The food industry warned that inspection fees would drive up food prices, with the government estimating total additional costs of EU controls at \u00a3420mn a year and now – the FT reports – UK ministers are set to announce a further delay, amid fears that extra bureaucracy on imported goods will fuel inflation.<\/p>\n
The potential decision to delay October\u2019s start date, is also intended to give companies and port operators more time to implement the arrangements, despite British exports to the EU already subject to full checks.<\/p>\n
Ministers announced as recently as April that a new \u201cborder target operating model\u201d would start to be rolled out from October 31 with a full regime in place by October 2024.<\/p>\n
But government insiders have told the Financial Times that while final details of the border plan would be published \u201cvery soon\u201d, its implementation on the ground would be pushed back to avoid additional costs at the border and bear down on inflation.<\/p>\n
A new timetable has not yet been signed off by ministers, but the start of the new regime is expected to slip into next year said the FT.<\/p>\n
The Cold Chain Federation, said any decision to delay the introduction of October requirements was the \u201cright thing to do\u201d given inflationary pressures and the lack of awareness in the EU about the incoming controls, with 40% of EU clients and suppliers unaware of the new requirements.<\/p>\n
The National Farmers Union, acknowledged the need to protect consumers from price rises, but said that delays exasperated farmers, who face barriers for their exports which are not being reciprocated on imports from the EU.<\/p>\n
We will advise further when the government confirm the delay OR if the FT\u2019s report turns out to be incorrect and the border checks do come into effect on the 31st October.<\/i><\/p>\n
We can advise you on UK border changes and guide you on the importation of food and food products.<\/b><\/p>\n
SCOPE OF CUSTOMS SERVICES
\n\u2013 UK Export clearance
\n\u2013 UK import clearance
\n\u2013 T1 creation
\n\u2013 ETSF & general storage
\n\u2013 Preference and origin documents C of O \/ EUR1
\n\u2013 Export health certificate\u2019s
\n\u2013 EU clearance (import or export) via NL smart border
\n\u2013 Fiscal representation in NL
\n\u2013 IPAFF pre notifications UK (plants and products of animal origin cargo)
\n\u2013 GMR\u2019s (Goods Movement References for the GVMS system)
\n\u2013 TRACES\/CHED creation for EU entry via Calais or Dunkirk
\n\u2013 ToR01 \u2013 Transfer of residency application completion and customs declaration<\/b><\/p>\n