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Małgorzata Matwiejuk
Those who thought international cargo flows to and from the United Kingdom had stabilized may be counting their chickens before they're hatched, as the saying goes. Even though almost two years have passed since the UK left the European Union on February 1st, 2020, Brexit turmoil is not over yet. Changes to the previous customs regulations are being phased in with new formalities on the way in 2022.
Starting from January 1st, 2022, further changes to the rules for conducting border inspections between the United Kingdom and the European Union entered into force. According to Małgorzata Matwiejuk, Manager of the AsstrA Customs Agency in Koroszczyn, Poland, the planned changes will mainly affect exports of food, plants, and products of plant origin as well as safety declarations when importing to the UK.
Here the AsstrA expert describes the planned multi-stage changes.
Starting January 1st, 2022
“In the first phase of the changes, full customs declarations and controls will be introduced, however we have to remember that Safety and Security Declarations will not be required until July 1st, 2022. Importantly, carriers transporting goods through UK ports using the Goods Vehicle Movement Service must be registered accordingly,” says Małgorzata Matwiejuk.
It should also be noted that British importers of plant and animal products – including food and feed systems – and high-risk non-animal products are still obliged to give prior notification of their shipments. Moreover, documents proving the origin of a such products will also still be required.
From July 1st, 2022
What awaits us in the second half of the year? The AsstrA expert points to more certification, documentation, identity verification, and physical inspections for animal by-products, plants and plant products, meat and meat products, high-risk goods, and non-animal feed. Also, goods entering the country will be able to do so only through designated border control posts.
“Inspection of live animals will take place at designated border control posts that have appropriate operational capabilities at the point of entry. If a control post does not currently have such capabilities, inspections will be performed at another port of entry that does. More border control points will be operationalized over time. From July 1st, 2022, checks will begin at inland control points in Sevington and designated control points at airports,” continues the Manager of the AsstrA Customs Agency in Koroszczyn.
Furthermore, there will be a ban on importing products prohibited or restricted on the British market, i.e. chilled minced beef, pork, lamb, mutton and goat; chilled or frozen minced poultry, mechanically separated poultry from ratite or game birds, unclassified eggs, and chilled raw meat products.
From September 1st, 2022
Within this timeframe, the industry must prepare to verify certifications and undergo physical inspections for all dairy products.
From November 1st, 2022
At the end of this year, certificate monitoring and physical inspections will also be introduced for all animal products, including composite products and fish products.
It should also be noted that CE markings will be recognized in the UK for an extended period, until January 1st, 2023. A CE mark on a product indicates that it meets the requirements of European directives. It assures a consumer of the product’s safety.
“The basic product safety requirements do not differ from European regulations and will most likely not change in the coming years,” emphasizes Małgorzata Matwiejuk. “This means that products meeting the requirements of the relevant European standards and have CE markings will also meet the UK’s designated standards.”
Author: Agnieszka Krzepkowska.
