January 1st 2021 caught a lot of traders and hauliers off guard. There were a lot of changes to the way that we conduct trade and move goods. Getting everything right proved to be fairly complex. We want to start preparing you for all the changes that will be happening to customs in January 2022 to ensure that you are completely ready and don’t experience difficulties when the new changes are introduced.
Customs Declarations
Since January 2021, full import customs declarations have only been required for controlled goods (e.g. tobacco and alcohol).
From January 2022, full customs declarations will be a requirement for all goods at the time of import. Some traders will be eligible for CFSP (Customs Freight simplified procedures). This is an electronic declaration that can help speed up the import process.
Customs Duties
Customs declarations are used to determine the duties of the goods that are being transported. Goods that meet the criteria stipulated within the Rules of Origin. This means that goods that aren’t made of components from either the UK or the EU will be subject to import and export tariffs.
In January 2021, it was decided that these duties could be paid at a later date and deferred until a time when the customs declarations have been submitted.
This will change from January 2022. Duties will need to be paid on import. However, most traders will still be allowed the option of deferring these payments until a later date.
SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) Goods
Sanitary and Phytosanitary procedures were put in place by the WTO (World Trade Organisation) in 1995. This was done to ensure that all food products being traded were safe for consumption and avoid any health or biosecurity issues. These products are subject to more stringent measures and need to have additional checks and provide extra documentation before they are able to be traded.
Since January 2021, SPS goods have been subject to checks at either the point of destination or at approved premises. The import of high-risk live animals and plants has to include correct documentation and it is essential that the appropriate authorities have been pre-notified about the movement of these goods prior to departure.
From October 2021, importing of all live animals and plants must be pre-notified via IPAFFS (Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System) prior to departure. These goods will also need to be have all of the correct health documentation. Physical checks will also be essential in the movement of these goods and will need to be conducted at either approved premises or at the point of destination.
From January 2022, physical checks of SPS goods will be conducted more frequently and any goods that are subject to SPS checks will be required to transit through a Border Control Post where all of the customs procedures will be checked.
Getting these next steps right is vital for continued trade. Make sure you keep a close eye on our blog for regular updates on the changes!
