EU Exit - Updated key dates for UK-EU transition and support for businesses

A written ministerial statement, given on 14 September 2021, has confirmed that completion of certain elements of the UK’s post-EU border arrangements for agri-food goods will be delayed for a second time. Revised timings are as follows:

Item

Previous timing
(1st revision, Mar 2021)

New timing
(2nd revision, Sep 2021)

Phase 2

Import of POAO, ABP and HRFNAO to be pre-notified via IPAFFS

01 Oct 2021

01 Jan 2022

Imports to be accompanied by an appropriate EHC

01 Oct 2021

01 Jul 2022

Customs declarations must be made for every shipment, delays of up to 178 days acceptedaccepted

01 Oct 2021

01 Oct 2021

Phase 3

POAO, ABP, HRFNAO and High-Risk Plants will be subject to physical checks at the UK border and must arrive at locations with a suitable Border Control Post

01 Jan 2022

01 Jul 2022

Imports of Low-Risk Plants and Plant Products must be pre-notified via IPAFFS and accompanied by a Phyto Sanitary Certificate

01 Jan 2022

01 Jul 2022

Customs declarations must be submitted without delay, although some traders may be eligible to defer payments

01 Jan 2022

01 Jan 2022 (no change)

Safety and security declarations must be made for all goods

01 Jan 2022

01 Jul 2022

Note that these changes do not affect movement between GB and NI – these are regulated by the Northern Ireland Protocol, a separate body of work. Development of the Protocol is currently at a “standstill” as technical talks take place.

• Delayed, new timing TBC - The grace period for sending certain Prohibited & Restricted goods (P&Rs) from GB to NI ends

• Delayed, new timing TBC - End of the grace period for supermarkets and their suppliers moving goods into Northern Ireland. The start of a phased introduction of the Export Health Certificates for POAO exported to Northern Ireland from GB.

Key dates to be aware of for traders moving goods from the UK to the EU single market are:

• 15 January – New model of EHCs is required for POAO exported to the EU, following the end of the transitionary arrangements allowing the use of current EHCs

• 15 January – New EHCs must be used for all movement of POAO from GB to the EU and Northern Ireland

The UK government has issued guidance specifically for food and drink businesses.

You can register here for upcoming webinars from Department for International Trade and the Parliamentary Export Programme on trading with the EU.

IGD has also provided additional support to help businesses with EU Exit. Businesses may also wish to refer to the EU EXIT Foodhub, an FAQ website for food and drink businesses

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