UK ports braced for next stage of Brexit borders arrangements although the main changes will be next summer

Ahead of the implementation of the enforcement of customs controls at our borders from 1st January, the British Ports Association is hopeful that traders will be ready for the new arrangements.

The UK Government’s phased approach to the UK’s departure from the EU’s Customs Union and Single Market reaches its latest significant stage as importers will no longer be able to delay customs procedures. Goods coming from Europe will now need to be approved by the HM Revenue & Customs.

Commenting, Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association, the national association for ports whose members facilitate 86% of port traffic and who represent all the main Roll-on Roll-off gateways, suggested:

“This is another milestone for those involved in trade between Britain and Europe and we are hopeful importers will be ready to follow the new rules. There has been a huge amount of hard work from industry and government preparing new systems and processes, which have been developed at some pace. We are optimistic that these new arrangements will work although do expect there to be a small degree of teething difficulties."

"That said, in terms of physical activities, much of the customs processes are relatively straightforward. Most UK ports with European trade are therefore more focused on the introduction of checks on animal and plant based products at Border Control Posts, next July. This is where there will be significant changes to borders processes with the likelihood of interventions, delays and even extras costs for British importers.”

From 1 January 2022, the UK Government has advised traders and importers that they must:

• Meet full customs requirements including submitting declarations, regardless of whether it is a controlled or a non-controlled good, as well as paying VAT and excise duty where necessary.
• If traders are importing Animal Products (ABP & POAO), traders must be prepared to submit pre-notifications via IPAFFS.
• Hold a supplier declaration at the time you issue a statement on origin. Where necessary, these declarations should also retrospectively support statements on origin issued during 2021.
• complete customs,VAT and excise submissions.

The rules are set out in the Government’s Border Operating Model, which details the UK’s post Brexit trading arrangements with the EU. A summary is given below.

About BPA
The British Ports Association represents the interests of over 400 ports, terminal operators and port facilities. The UK ports industry plays a key role in the country’s economy as 95% of the UK’s international trade – imports and exports – is carried through British ports. UK ports also typically handle more than 60 million international and domestic passenger journeys each year. The UK port industry is the second largest in Europe, handling almost 500 million tonnes of freight each year. UK ports directly employ around 115,000 people.