The UK Government have announced that the remaining import controls due to come into effect from 1st July when importing goods from the EU will not be introduced from this date, instead the end of 2023 is now targeted as the revised introduction date.
Therefore the following additional controls planned for introduction from 1st July will now NOT be implemented:
- A requirement for further Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks on EU imports currently at destination to be moved to Border Control Post.
- A requirement for safety and security declaration on EU imports.
- A requirement for further health certification and SPS checks for EU imports.
- Prohibitions and restrictions on the import of chilled meats from the EU.
What does all this mean?
From 1st January 2022, any cargo imported from the EU into the UK which requires SPS checks including products containing animal based products, were subject to pre-notification regulations. This is set to continue.
However, from 1st July additional requirements were being implemented which would ensure that full documentation checks for any controlled goods would be necessary at Border Control (the same as for importing these products from outside the EU). This requirement is no longer necessary, instead the end of 2023 is the earliest these controls will now be put in place.
This announcement by the UK Government does not effect the standard import declaration and clearance process, which has been legally required since 1st January 2021. This process will continue as normal.
