On 29th August 2023, the UK Government has published the final Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). The BTOM sets out the UK’s new global regime of border controls. Making better use of technology and data to reduce friction, it creates new streamlined processes for all imports and confirms the timeline for implementing remaining security and biosecurity controls on EU goods imported to the UK, starting in January 2024.
The BTOM is based on the draft Border Target Operating Model, which was published in April 2023. It was developed through engagement with stakeholders, collaboration across the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments, and engagement with officials from the devolved administration in Northern Ireland.
The BTOM applies to imports from countries inside and outside the EU, by introducing an improved regime of sanitary, phytosanitary and security controls on imports. It makes use of technology and data to make it simple for businesses to trade, limiting administrative burdens and keeping down costs.
After engaging with stakeholders and considering the implementation challenges they raised, alongside the need to manage biosecurity risks, the UK Government has adapted the timeline originally published in the draft version of the Border Target Operating Model in order to give businesses and their supply-chains more time to prepare.
The BTOM will be implemented through three major milestones:
31 January 2024 – The introduction of health certification on imports of medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high risk food and feed of non-animal origin from the EU. The removal of pre notification requirements for low risk plant and plant products from the EU.
30 April 2024 – The introduction of documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks on medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high risk food and feed of non-animal origin from the EU. Existing inspections of high risk plants/plant products from the EU will move from destination to Border Control Posts.
31 October 2024 – The requirement for Safety and Security declarations for imports into Great Britain from the EU or from other territories where the waiver applies will come into force from 31 October 2024. Alongside this, we will introduce a reduced dataset for imports and use of the UK Single Trade Window will remove duplication where possible across different pre-arrival datasets – such as pre-lodged customs declarations.
Please be aware that all UK international obligations and commitments will be upheld under this new model, including the implementation of the Windsor Framework.
The BTOM paper and information about the risk categories, can be found Here.
The UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) sector specific monthly online training sessions, to prepare traders for the new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) import controls (certification and border checks) within the new BTOM can be found Here.