The UK Government has confirmed that the Brexit transition will not be extended

New border controls and procedures have been confirmed for 2021 as the UK Government formally notified the EU that it will neither accept nor seek any extension to the Transition Period when it ends on 31st December 2020. The Government has taken the decision to introduce the new border controls in three stages up until 1 July 2021 to give industry extra time to make necessary arrangements.

From January 2021, traders importing standard goods, covering everything from clothes to electronics, will need to prepare for basic customs requirements, such as keeping sufficient records of imported goods, and will have up to six months to complete customs declarations. From April 2021, all products of animal origin (POAO) – for example meat, pet food, honey, milk or egg products – and all regulated plants and plant products will also require pre-notification and the relevant health documentation. From July 2021, traders moving all goods will have to make declarations at the point of importation and pay relevant tariffs. Full Safety and Security declarations will be required, while for SPS commodities there will be an increase in physical checks and the taking of samples: checks for animals, plants and their products will now take place at GB Border Control Posts.

A new £50million support package will boost the capacity of the customs intermediary sector providing businesses with further support ahead of the new processes taking effect in July 2021. Additionally, the Government has committed to building new border facilities in GB for carrying out required checks, such as customs compliance, transit, and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks, as well as providing targeted support to ports to build new infrastructure. Where there is no space at ports for new infrastructure, the Government will build new inland sites where these checks and other activities will take place. The Government is consulting with ports across the UK to agree what infrastructure is required.

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