Brexit FAQs
What do I need to consider when exporting to the United Kingdom?
- An export declaration can no longer be postponed
- You must arrange a pre-notification
- You should consider new border controls carefully
- You should expand your knowledge/resources to maintain awareness of changing customs processes
You do not have to do this alone. We can support you in knowledge, tailored advice, and setting up appropriate processes.
Is pre-notification for food and agricultural products needed when exporting to/importing into the UK?
Food shipments require a declaration to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS) to get a Unique Notification Number (UNN). This information will end up on the customs clearance.
The Health Certificate number will need to be declared on this pre-notification, so you need to ensure that your customer in the United Kingdom has this well in advance.
From January 2021, copies of all documents must accompany the shipment.
From July 2022, an original health certificate must accompany the copies of the other documents. The original health certificate will also need to state the UNN from IPAFFS, so this will require drafts to be sent for the pre-notification before finalizing on receiving the UNN.
Are all food and agricultural products from the European Union allowed into the United Kingdom from January 1st 2022 onward?
No. As of January 1st 2022, it is no longer allowed to import these products into the United Kingdom:
- Raw milk from cattle herds with bovine tuberculosis (TB).
- Chilled or frozen minced poultry.
- Chilled minced meat (beef, mutton, goat, pork, lamb).
- Meat that has been mechanically separated from poultry, game or ratite birds.
- Chilled meat preparations.
- Ungraded eggs.
Please make sure your products do not contain items from the list above because British Customs will deny those products entry.
What are critical points of attention for EU exporters importing into the United Kingdom?
The critical points for EU suppliers to note are as follows:
- Check animal products are still legal to import.
- Prepare all documentation in advance and forward it to the United Kingdom immediately for pre-clearance.
- Ensure that all documentation accompanies road vehicles.
- Get into the practice of putting the IPAFFS UNN on original health certificates and sending them with the vehicle before July 2022.
Can Customs Support do the food and agricultural products pre-notification for me?
The pre-notification needs to be done by the importer of the products. Please contact Customs Support if you have questions or need assistance.
How can I claim Preferential Origin when exporting UK goods into the EU?
When exporting goods from the UK to the EU you must include your Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number in any statement you issue to your EU customer, regardless of the value.
For shipments exceeding GBP 5700 (depending on the exchange rate) or EUR 6000, exporters in the United Kingdom can use the Registered Exporter (REX) Statement on their invoices to importers in the European Union. Since January 1st 2021, this will be the only way to claim preferential origin on imports from the United Kingdom. The UK exporters can use their EORI number in the statement, so EU importers can apply for preferential origin.
How can I claim Preferential Origin when importing EU goods into the UK?
For shipments exceeding GBP 5700 (depending on the exchange rate) or EUR 6000, exporters in the European Union can use the Registered Exporter (REX) Statement on their invoices to importers in the United Kingdom. As of January 1st, 2022, this will be the only way to claim preferential origin on imports from the European Union. Importers need to ask their EU suppliers to register in the REX portal.
What happens if there is no REX number on my invoice?
When there is no statement of origin on the invoice it is not possible to apply preferential rates. For shipments with a value below EUR 6000, a statement of origin can be put on the invoice without a REX number.
What is the temporary storage model?
As of January 1st, 2022, import declarations can be submitted to British Customs in two ways: the temporary storage model and the pre-lodgement model.
Under the temporary storage model, goods entering the UK may be stored at a temporary storage facility at the border for up to 90 days. The goods can then only be transported to their final destination in the United Kingdom after being declared to British Customs.
What is the pre-lodgement model?
As of January 1st, 2022, import declarations can be submitted to British Customs in two ways: the temporary storage model and the pre-lodgement model.
In the pre-lodgement model, parties submit their customs declarations before the truck drives onto the ferry with the goods. The transport company then links these declarations to the trucks and trailers in the Goods Vehicle Movement System (GVMS) and creates a Goods Movement Reference (GMR). The GMR is needed to board the ferry. The goods can usually enter the United Kingdom without delay using the pre-lodgement model.
What is GVMS?
GVMS is a new system launched by British Customs. GVMS stands for Goods Vehicle Movement Service.
The Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) is an inventory system designed to speed up clearances of vehicles arriving from the EU by allowing pre-lodgement of the manifest.
Who needs to register shipments in GVMS?
Transport companies transporting goods from the European Union to the United Kingdom need to register the shipment in the GVMS system, to be allowed into the United Kingdom.
Customs Support, unfortunately, can’t assist you with registering your shipment. Please coordinate this with your transport company.
What is needed to register a shipment in GVMS?
The transport company needs to have copies of all documentation from the EU exporter, the export declaration, and the pre-declaration. These are uploaded to GVMS to create a single Goods Movement Record (GMR) for every vehicle going to/from the U.K. Because copies of the documents must accompany the vehicle, you need to prepare these in advance.
How can Customs Support help in transporting goods from the EU to the UK?
On the European side, Customs Support can’t help you with registering shipments in GVMS. The transport company needs to do this. We can help you with any export documentation you may need. The same goes for our colleagues of Customs Support in the United Kingdom. They can help you with any import documentation you may need or documents your transport company may need to do the pre-declaration in GVMS.
Can I still use the process for delayed import declarations after January 1st 2022?
No. Until now, companies importing goods into the United Kingdom have been able to do so without import declarations. The import declarations could be created after the fact and submitted within six months of the actual import of the goods. This arrangement will ended on January 1st 2022, and declarations will need to be done at the border.
What is the Border Operating Model, and when will it come into effect?
The Border Operating Model describes the phased approach the United Kingdom has taken towards border controls. On 1 January and 1 March 2022, the entire BOM with all the described border formalities and procedures came into effect. All goods imported into the United Kingdom will have to meet all requirements.
From 1 January 2022, customs declarations in the UK can no longer be postponed.
From 1 July 2022, product exports to the UK that are required to carry veterinary health certificates (live animals, meat, dairy products) must now pass a designated border control post in the UK. This also applies to 'high-risk' vegetable agricultural goods such as trees and perennials.
From 1 July 2022, before the transport arrives in the UK, the importer must submit a ‘security declaration’ or ‘entry summary declaration’ (ENS) to English customs.
From 1 July 2022, live animals and 'low-risk' products that require a phytosanitary certificate (vegetables, fruits, plants and flowers) must now pass a designated border control post in the UK.
The specialists within our team are highly knowledgeable in the new post-Brexit laws and regulations and can help you guide you into the future of customs.