The government yesterday published an updated version of its post-transition border plans for goods moving between the UK and EU from 1 January 2021. 

The latest Border Operating Model – which was first published in July this year – includes the establishment of ten inland border sites and the requirement for hauliers to get a ‘Kent Access Permit’ before attempting to transport goods through Dover or Folkestone. 

Devil in the detail 

Industry bodies have welcomed the updated model, saying it provides clarity for logistics firms and traders. 

However, IOE&IT trade expert Kevin Shakespeare told the Daily Update today (9 October) that traders should pay close attention to the details in the paper. 

“This is an important document and while most of the commentary will be around new infrastructure, the devil is in the detail for traders,” he said.  

He added that traders should be aware of updates relating to declarations, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks, as well as processes and liabilities around customs authorisations. 

Updates traders should know 

The government highlighted the following updates in the new paper: 

• Updates relating to controlled goods including products of animal, plants and fish and sanitary and phytosanitary controls 
• Further detail on delayed customs declarations and the requirements of Entry in Declarants Records (EIDR) 
• Further details regarding the approach to liabilities for intermediaries 
• Information on what ‘poor compliance history’ means 
• Clarity on guarantees and Duty Deferment Account requirements 
• Bulk import reduced data set details 
• The Smart Freight System has been renamed to “Check an HGV is Ready to Cross the Border”  
• Updated annexes regarding Member State requirements 

The IOE&IT will deliver further guidance on these updates within the next week. 

Further grant funding 

In a statement accompanying the new paper, the government said it will increase the support that businesses can access via the Customs Grant Scheme. 

Under the scheme, businesses can apply for grants which cover the cost of training, new IT or recruitment enabling them to correctly complete customs declarations. 

For more information about how you can use these grants towards training provided by the Institute, please visit: https://www.export.org.uk/page/CustomsGrants