Importers of certain goods subject to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls are being reminded that they cannot complete declarations on an EIDR (entry in declarant’s records) basis from 15 March.
New rules and documentary requirements for imports were introduced for several agrifood products at the end of January under the UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).
Under BTOM, goods subject to SPS controls – including animal products, plants and plant-based products, and high risk food and feed of non-animal origin – are considered ‘Controlled Goods’, meaning EIDR declarations can no longer be submitted for them.
Which goods are affected
The Joint Customs Consultative Committee (JCCC) wrote to industry yesterday (21 February) to remind businesses that EIDR declarations will not be accepted for the following SPS controlled goods from 15 March:
· high, medium and low risk animal products from EU and EFTA countries
· high, medium and low risk plant and plant products from EU countries, Switzerland and Liechtenstein
· high risk food and feed of non-animal origin from EU and EFTA countries
The level of checks and documentation required for goods varies by their risk category, under BTOM.
Traders of animal products can check the risk categories for their products here, while plant and plant products can be checked here.
“If the Online Trade Tariff indicates you need to meet the veterinary control or phytosanitary controls, you will need to pre-notify on IPAFFS,” the JCCC explain.
“This will produce the first part of a Common Health Entry Document (CHED). Depending on the risk level of the goods, you may need to attach an Export Health Certificate or Phytosanitary Certificate from your exporter in your IPAFFS CHED pre-notification.”
Options
Now that EIDR declarations cannot be completed for these goods, the JCCC is advising that businesses will either need to submit a full import declaration or a simplified frontier declaration (SFD).
The latter requires an authorisation from HMRC, with traders able to complete a reduced dataset, compared to the full declaration, at the point that the goods enter the UK, with a supplementary declaration completed by the fourth working day of the month following the goods movement. For SPS controlled goods, there are additional data elements that must be completed for the initial SFD, compared to non-controlled goods.
Businesses completing an EIDR for SPS controlled goods prior to 15 March will still be able to complete a supplementary declaration by the fourth working day of April to facilitate their import.
“If you need to amend your simplified customs declaration authorisation, you must contact customsauthorisations@hmrc.gov.uk or your Customer Compliance Manager and regional Large Business mailbox in advance of 15 March,” JCCC warns.
BTOM and beyond
BTOM is changing how UK businesses trade with the EU. IOE&IT business and professional membership is supporting businesses to stay abreast of all the changes and to ensure they have the internal compliance skills needed to continue trade.
This includes access to a technical helpline (for business members), member exclusive webinars on the changes, discounts on training, online and in-person sector networking events, and daily updates on rule changes direct to your inbox.
You can find more information about how IOE&IT is supporting its members with BTOM and other upcoming regulatory changes for trade here.
