Border Target Operating Model still in effect.
The first of the 3 phases goes into effect on January 31st.
The new Border Target Operating Model of the United Kingdom goes after a delay of 3 months of postponement still in effect. The first of the three phases will begin on Jan. 31, 2024. Here the focus is on closer inspection of incoming veterinary and phytosanitary products. Eventually, Safety & Security Declarations will become mandatory for all goods imported from the European Union.
Upon entering the first phase of the Border Target Operating Model (TOM) on Jan. 31, 2024, animal and plant products are categorized as low, medium or high risk. Animal products are categorized into one of three categories based on HS code; plant products are categorized based on product description. Please note that categorization can be changed on a product-by-product basis. Products can also be added to or removed from the lists.
On the basis of the categorization, it is determined what control the UK authorities carry out on the products and associated documents. From the medium-risk category onward, phytosanitary and/or veterinary documents become mandatory for imports into the United Kingdom (UK). For high-risk products, this is already the case.
Second phase in April
On April 31, 2024, the second phase will enter into force. Building on the first phase, additional physical controls will then be introduced for products from the medium-risk category onwards from the EU. These controls will also be moved from the point of destination to designated Border Check Points (BCPs). Keep in mind additional costs for inspections, longer transit times or even different logistical routes due to the products in which the BCPs will specialize. Risk percentages for physical inspections can be found in the TOM. High-risk products set at 100 percent will always need to be inspected. For medium- and low-risk products, this is not the case. As a result, it may pay to ship low-risk products separately from medium- and high-risk products. Importers in the UK who are accredited as trusted traders may conduct the inspection at their own location.
Third phase in October
The final phase of the TOM goes into effect on Oct. 31, 2024. The Safety & Security Declarations will then become mandatory for all imports from the EU. In doing so, the UK has reduced the number of mandatory dataset fields.
Source: Rostislav Ilchenko, Evofenedex