We blogged recently about upcoming changes to import rules for businesses who import from the EU to the UK. One of which relates to the rules around Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) goods.
Here we look in more detail at the new border controls; when they are due to be introduced and how your business can prepare.
When will new border controls for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Goods be introduced?
According to the timetable set out by the UK government for introducing full import controls for goods being imported from the EU to the UK, controls relating to SPS goods will be introduced in two stages
1 January 2022
The requirements for pre-notification of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) goods, which were due to be introduced on 1 October 2021, will now be introduced on 1 January 2022.
1 July 2022
Phytosanitary Certificates and physical checks on SPS goods at Border Control Posts, due to be introduced on 1 January 2022, will now be introduced on 1 July 2022.
What does this mean for your business?
From 1 January 2022, there are new requirements for importing some Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) goods, such as meat or plants, to Great Britain from the EU.
You will be required to pre-notify when importing most Products of Animal Origin, Animal By- Products, High Risk Food not of Animal Origin and regulated plants and plant products from the EU to Great Britain.
You (or a representative acting on your behalf) importing these goods from the EU may need to pre- notify authorities that their consignment will be entering Great Britain. You can do this on the relevant IT system.
How can your business prepare for these changes?
Check the relevant guidance
For guidance on importing food, go to:
gov.uk/guidance/import-or-move-food-and-drink-from-the-eu-and-northern-ireland-to-great-britain
For guidance on importing Animal By-Products, go to:
gov.uk/guidance/importing-or-moving-live-animals-animal-products-and-high-risk-food-and-feed- not-of-animal-origin
For guidance on Plant Products, go to:
gov.uk/guidance/import-plants-and-plant-products-from-the-eu-to-great-britain-and-northern- Ireland
Register for the relevant IT systems
Register for the relevant IT systems for animal and plant products now to ensure your business is prepared for prenotification requirements from 1 January 2022.
For animal products, go to
gov.uk/guidance/import-of-products-animals-food-and-feed-system
For plant products, go to
gov.uk/guidance/import-plants-and-plant-products-from-the-eu-to-great-britain-and-northern-ireland#register-and-pre-notify-your-goods-on-peach
You can find full guidance and a step-by-step guide for preparing for import control changes at gov.uk/import-goods-into-uk
If you import goods into the UK from the EU then it’s important to make sure your business is up to date with all the post Brexit changes and how rules, processes and procedures differ now, or which will change over the coming months. If you have any questions about your insurance needs post Brexit, then don’t hesitate to contact our teams at Anthony Jones who will be more than happy to help.
