Briefing and Top Tips to navigate new Import Controls for Food and Plant Professionals
Executive Summary
As of April 30th, 2024, new import controls will reshape the landscape for food and plant import professionals operating in Great Britain. Customs Manager Ltd stands ready to assist in navigating these changes, offering comprehensive support to maintain compliance and streamline import processes.
What is changing?
1. Entry through Designated Border Control Points: Ensuring Proper Entry Channels
Under the new regulations effective April 30th, 2024, importers of goods from the EU/EFTA must ensure their products enter Great Britain through designated Border Control Points (BCPs) or Control Points (CPs). This requirement aims to specify the commodity type and facilitate risk-based documentary, identity, and physical checks at these designated points. Failure to comply may result in delays and penalties.
2. High-Risk Plants and Plant Products: Shifting Inspection Protocols
The regulations entail a significant shift in inspection protocols for high-risk plants and plant products originating from the EU, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Instead of inspections at Places of Destination (PoDs), these goods will now undergo scrutiny at Border Control Posts (BCPs) or Control Points (CPs). Importers are obligated to present consignments for inspection upon request, necessitating careful planning and coordination to ensure compliance.
3. Fishery Products Documentation: Enhancing Compliance Measures
Importers of fish and fishery products for human consumption face enhanced documentation requirements under the new regulations. Specifically, they must upload Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) documents to the CHED import notification in the Import of Products, Animals, Food, and Feed System (IPAFFS) before submission. This measure aims to strengthen controls and combat illegal fishing practices, emphasizing the importance of adherence to regulatory procedures.
4. Imports from Non-EU-EFTA Risk-Assessed Countries: Streamlining Procedures
The regulations introduce streamlined import procedures for goods originating from non-EU-EFTA risk-assessed countries, aligning with the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). Notably, health certification requirements for low-risk animal products will be removed, simplifying import processes. Additionally, reduced physical and identity checks will apply to medium-risk animal products, promoting efficiency while maintaining regulatory integrity.
5. Submitting Import Notifications and Customs Declarations: Key Procedures for Compliance
Importers are required to adhere to specific procedures when submitting import notifications and customs declarations to ensure compliance with the new regulations. Import notifications must be submitted through Defra’s Import of Products, Animals, Food, and Feed System (IPAFFS), while customs declarations are to be lodged via HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS). It is imperative to ensure alignment between these systems to prevent errors and potential disruptions to import operations.
How to make sure I get it right?
To ensure compliance with the new regulations, follow these steps for submitting import notifications and customs declarations:
Utilize Defra’s Import of Products, Animals, Food, and Feed System (IPAFFS) to submit import notifications. Submit import notifications prior to customs declarations.
Submit customs declarations through HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
Maintain alignment between these systems to prevent potential 'No Match' errors, which could divert consignments to Border Control Posts. Background processes validate essential details such as import notification references, commodity codes, and net weights, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Promptly address any inconsistencies to avoid 'No Match' errors.
If discrepancies arise and error messages appear on CDS and the IPAFFS dashboard, swiftly rectify errors in both systems before the consignment departs, thus preventing redirection to a Border Control Post.
These processes facilitate SPS inspection decisions for import notifications to CDS.Effective April 30th, 2024, stringent cross-checking of import notifications and customs declarations for EU/EFTA consignments will be enforced.
Conclusion
So to recap, the top key changes for 30 April 2024 are:
Entry through Designated Border Control Points: Ensuring Proper Entry Channels
High-Risk Plants and Plant Products: Shifting Inspection Protocols
Fishery Products Documentation: Enhancing Compliance Measures
Imports from Non-EU-EFTA Risk-Assessed Countries: Streamlining Procedures
Submitting Import Notifications and Customs Declarations: Key Procedures for Compliance
Ensure compliance with new import regulations by submitting import notifications through IPAFFS and customs declarations via HMRC's CDS. Alignment between systems is crucial to avoid 'No Match' errors, diverting consignments to Border Control Posts. Effective April 30th, 2024, stringent cross-checking will be enforced for EU/EFTA consignments. Submit import notifications before customs declarations, promptly address inconsistencies, and rectify errors in both systems to prevent redirection of consignments.
Recommendations
We know this will be a challenging transition for many businesses. Fortunately, our team at Customs Manager Ltd. can help you proactively prepare for this change to prevent any disruption to your business. In fact, we are currently supporting companies and processing customs declarations for products that are covered by the new regulations. If you have any questions or concerns about these new import controls, please contact us today.
If you are unsure about any of the above, please contact us for guidance: info@customsmanager.org or call +44 79 14 650 183
Moreover,
Stay abreast of the latest regulatory updates and industry insights through Customs Managers paid plan subscription service. To get started, leave your e-mail address at www.custosmmanager.info
Leverage the expertise of Customs Manager for personalized guidance and support in adapting to the new import landscape. Book a free call at www.customsmanager.org
Visit our SPS Hub on www.customsmanager.info
Join our training on SPS on www.customsmanager.org/events
Links and More Resources
Explore detailed information on non-EU/EFTA BTOM risk categories for Animal and Plant Products. Here is more about non-EU/EFTA BTOM risk categories for Animal Products or non-EU/EFTA BTOM risk categories for Plant Products.
Access Defra’s IPAFFS for import notifications and HMRC’s CDS for customs declarations.
For personalized assistance and proactive support, leave your email address at www.customsmanager.info.
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