TRADE

New Import Controls – 30 April 2024

New import controls have been introduced and further changes will come into effect from 30 April 2024. The following provides information on both what you need to do to comply now and when the additional changes are implemented. 

What changes are coming on 30 April 2024?  

In addition to complying with the current controls that came into effect on January 31, from 30 April 2024 traders must:    

  • Ensure goods from EU /EFTA enter GB through an appropriately designated Border Control Post (BCP) or Control Point (CP) for your commodity type and present the consignment for inspection when called where risk-based documentary, identity and physical checks may take place.  Existing inspections of high-risk plants and plant products from the EU, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein will move from Places of Destination (PoDs) to BCP and CP’s.
  • Upload IUU documents to the CHED import notification created in IPAFFS for a consignment containing fish or fishery products for human consumption before submitting the import notification.

Additionally, imports from non-EU/EFTA risk assessed countries will begin to align with the BTOM regime. Changes to import controls for non-EU/EFTA risk assessed countries will include:  

Start preparing for the changes to border controls for plants and plant products

From 30 April 2024, high-risk plants and plant products must come through a Border Control Post (BCP) or Control Point (CP) where identity and physical checks will be carried out. Checks will no longer take place at Places of Destination (PoDs). 

Alongside this, documentary checks and physical and identity checks at the border will be introduced for medium-risk goods imported from the EU. In line with the reduced frequency of checks, checks will have a baseline of 3% for EU imports and 5% for non-EU imports, but may be different in specific cases, where additional risk factors apply. Please note, this doesn’t include medium-risk fruit and vegetables, if you are importing these goods from the EU, Switzerland or Liechtenstein to GB you will continue to be exempt from plant health controls on these goods. Further updates will be communicated shortly.

As we approach the 30 April 2024 deadline, it is important that you look to plan your journeys to BCPs or CPs as early as possible. This will help to reduce any potential delays to your onward journey and ensure compliance with the new UK phytosanitary regime. Please find the following map containing a list of BCPs and CPs which you’ll find on the Plant Health Portal.

In the meantime, you should adhere to the existing PoD requirements for high-risk plants and plant products until 23:59:59 on the 29 April. 

3 weeks until PEACH Closure - have you started using IPAFFS for your Import Notifications for plants and plant products?  

If you are an importer of plants and plant products, from 00:00:01 on Monday 8 April 2024, current users of the PEACH system will no longer be able to log onto PEACH and it will not be possible to submit import pre-notifications using this system. You must register for the IPAFFS system and start using IPAFFS now.    

All importers must be registered with a UK address within IPAFFS to ensure they can submit import pre-notifications. Please visit this link if you need to register for IPAFFS. To ensure full registration information is provided, please ensure that links to an agent (if required) and the address book are up to date and ready to use for your import notification. 

Training for importers of plants and plant products to support your transition from PEACH to IPAFFS

To support your transition from PEACH to IPAFFS, DEFRA are running weekly one hour training sessions that provide a live walkthrough of the new process. Please register for a time that suits you via the links below.

Invitation to register and submit notifications via IPAFFS – Training Links 

You can also watch their pre-recorded training session here.  

Guidance on IPAFFS is available on GOV.UK. and further details visit the Plant Health Information Portal Import IT Systems page. You will be able to find the following information:  

Resources to help you comply with the new controls and prepare for the changes that are coming

Sign up to DEFRA’s series of webinars for traders. These sessions will tell you all you need to know about changes to import processes from 30 April 2024 under the Border Target Operating Model. They will provide a step-by-step guide to importing to GB from EU/EFTA and will provide information on entering through a port of entry with a border control post and outline what happens once you get there.

If you’re importing plants or plant products, sign up to our webinar: BTOM: Prepare for the upcoming import controls from Apr'24 (plants focused) Tickets, Thu 11 Apr 2024 at 11:00 | Eventbrite

Visit the YouTube channel and watch recordings of previous webinars for traders.

Read the summary of common errors that have been identified through the documentary checks undertaken since the new controls were implemented. 

Read the Frequently Asked Questions about IPAFFS and Health Certificates.  

Read other guidance on how to comply with your legal responsibilities for:

importing live animals and animal products to Great Britain

importing plants and plant products from the EU to Great Britain

importing plants and plant products from non-EU countries to Great Britain

Common User Charge rates

From 30 April 2024, and in line with the introduction of risk-based identity and physical Border Control Post (BCP) checks set out in the BTOM, the Government will administer a Common User Charge on all eligible SPS imports (from rest of world EU and EFTA countries) entering the UK through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel in Kent.  

The introduction of new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import controls are fundamental to protecting the UK’s food supply chain, food and farming industries, and natural environment from biosecurity risks including the costly outbreaks of diseases.

Charges on eligible imports coming into GB are necessary to fund the operation of planned government-run BCP facilities serving Port of Dover and Eurotunnel to make sure physical checks on SPS imports can be undertaken safely and securely.      

The Common User Charge will apply to imports of animal products, plants and plant products entering GB through the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel which are eligible for checks at a government-run BCP. It will be applied to all eligible imports whether or not the import is selected for a physical check at planned government-run BCP facilities.  

The maximum charge for one CHED will be limited to 5 commodity lines, even if there are more than 5 commodity lines present in the CHED. This means that medium and high-risk CHEDs will be capped at £145. Low-risk POAO CHEDs and POAO transits will be capped at £50.

To support business readiness, the first digital invoices will be issued in arrears later in the year for charges incurred from 30 April 2024. Thereafter, digital invoices will be issued in arrears on a month-by-month basis. Further details about the administration of the charge including the process about how and when importers will be invoiced, and what support there is for businesses to pay the charge will be set out in guidance ahead of 30 April 2024.    

The Common User Charge will be in addition to any inspection fees applied by the Port Health Authority (for products of animal origin) and/or the Animal and Plant Health Agency (for plant and plant products). It will be up to commercial (private) ports to set their own charging structure and rates for traders using their services.  More details on chargers can be found here

Consultation launched to make food labelling fairer and clearer

Environment Secretary launches proposals to make food labelling clearer and fairer, delivering on commitment to back British farming.

The proposal will give shoppers more information about how and where their food is produced and ensure British farmers’ products get the recognition they deserve. The proposals for fairer food labelling will ensure greater transparency around the origin of food and methods of production, helping consumers make decisions that align with their values.

The consultation looks at how to improve country of origin labelling for certain goods, including how and where this information is displayed and what products should be included. For example, if imported pork is cured into bacon in the UK and features a Union Jack, exploring ways to make it more obvious to consumers that the pig was reared abroad – such as increasing the size of the country-of-origin text, or placing it on the front of the packet.

GLOBAL TRADE

UK-Turkey Trade Negotiations

On Thursday 14 March 2024, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) launched negotiations for a new, upgraded free trade agreement with Turkey. BDT have also published the UK-Turkey FTA Strategic Approach which includes:

  • Strategic case for pursuing an enhanced deal with Turkey and potential benefits for business and consumers
  • Negotiating objectives for an enhanced trade agreement between the UK and Turkey
  • Response to the consultation on a trade agreement between the UK and Turkey, including how the consultation informed the UK’s negotiating objectives
  • Initial assessment of the potential long-term impacts of a trade agreement between the UK and Turkey

The UK and Turkey are long-term strategic partners with deep economic links. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Turkey was worth around £26 billion in 2022. Turkey is a dynamic economy with one of the fastest GDP growth rates among OECD members. An upgraded FTA with Turkey will aim to reduce and remove barriers in sectors of strategic importance to the UK such as services and digital trade, positioning British businesses advantageously for the opportunities of the future.

UK-Texas sign trade pact

The UK has signed a trade pact with Texas to boost trade and investment ties. Texas has the second largest US state economy, with a GDP of £1.9 trillion in 2022, making this the UK's most economically significant trade agreement with a US state to date. The agreement intends to make it easier, faster, and cheaper for UK and Texas businesses to do business by reducing trade barriers, increasing investment, and promoting trade between the two countries.

The UK is Texas' eighth largest international goods export market, with total trade valued £14.7 billion in 2023. Nuclear equipment, aircraft, and pharmaceuticals are the most popular exports shipped to Texas. This agreement focuses on industries where the UK and Texas have complementary expertise, such as new energy solutions (including hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage), life sciences, and professional business services.

UK-CPTPP Membership

The Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Act received Royal Assent this week and now awaits six CPTPP states to ratify before UK accession formally occurs.

Suffolk Chamber International Trade Group (SCITG)

The SCITG is a forum for sharing best practice, hearing from local and national policymakers and thought leaders to enhance knowledge and capabilities in developing international trading activities.

Click here for further details on the Suffolk Chamber International Trade group or if you would like to be part of the SCITG, please contact the international team on international@suffolkchamber.co.uk

International Trade Events

Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce

Infrastructure Mission to Egypt including the Big 5 Construct event- June 2024

Infrastructure in Egypt is up and coming, offering different opportunities across the different sectors including hospitality, ports and airports, power and energy, industrial and manufacturing, water treatment plants, metro and rail, road and bridges, petrochemicals and fertilizers, healthcare, facility management and digital transformation.

The Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce (EBCC) is organising 2 webinars followed by a mission to Egypt in June that incorporates a 2-day visit to the Big5 Construct event.  These will be held in collaboration with DBT and the Commercial Office of the Egyptian Embassy in the UK and are aimed to support both private sector projects as well as the governmental and public sector mega projects.

Infrastructure in Egypt – An overview

📅 Monday 8th April

10:00am –11:00am GMT

Online

Register

The Egyptian British Chamber of Commerce cordially invites companies in the infrastructure, construction and water industries to attend the 1st of 2 webinars shedding light on the infrastructure industry in Egypt in the build up to the infrastructure mission to Egypt taking place on 24 – 27 June 2024.

The programme includes:

  • An economic update highlighting Egypt’s current monetary and fiscal policy
  • An overview and outlook of the infrastructure, construction and water industries in Egypt
  • A presentation from one of the Key players in the industry showcasing upcoming opportunities in Egypt and the MEA region
  • An overview from DBT and EBCC on the support offered to UK companies

Infrastructure Opportunities in Egypt and beyond

📅 Wednesday 15th May

10:00am –11:00am GMT

Online

Register

The Egyptian British Chamber of Commerce cordially invites companies in the infrastructure, construction and water industries to attend the 2nd of 2 webinars shedding light on the infrastructure industry in Egypt and highlighting the Big 5 Construct event taking place in Egypt 25 – 27 June 2024.

The programme includes:

  • An overview and outlook of the infrastructure, construction and water industries in Egypt
  • A presentation from one of the Key players in the industry showcasing upcoming opportunities in Egypt and the MEA region
  • Information on the Big 5 Construct and EIWE events (visiting, exhibiting, speaking opportunities)
  • An overview from UKEF highlighting ways to mitigate financial barriers
  • An overview from DBT and EBCC on the support offered to UK companies

Infrastructure Mission to Egypt including the Big 5 Construct event- June 2024

📅 Monday 24th June – Thursday 27th June

Egypt

Register your interest for FREE

JOIN US FOR AN UNPARALLELED EXPERIENCE

The EBCC is holding its first infrastructure mission to Egypt on June 24th – 27th.

The mission is organised in collaboration with the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) Egypt and is planned to give a practical on the ground insight into the different infrastructure opportunities in Egypt and the gateway it opens into the wider MEA region across a number of different sectors.  These include hospitality, ports and airports, power and energy, industrial and manufacturing, water treatment plants, metro and rail, road and bridges, petrochemicals and fertilizers, healthcare, facility management and digital transformation.

The mission includes a 2-day visit to the big 5 construct event which serves to bring together over 20,000 construction businesses, attracting over 300 exhibitors from 21 countries worldwide.

This is a huge opportunity for UK companies wishing to showcase their products and services, create brand awareness in Egypt and the African continent, generate business leads to international trade and foster networking opportunities in the infrastructure industry.

The programme includes:

  • Welcome and greeting from the Egyptian Ambassador and the Commercial Office in the UK
  • Welcome and greeting from the British Ambassador and DBT in Egypt
  • Showcasing opportunities
  • Speaking opportunities
  • An infrastructure committee meeting
  • Presentations from the different Ministries in Egypt
  • Plenty of B2B opportunities
  • Site visits
  • 2-day visit to the Big5 Construct Egyptand the Egypt Infrastructure and Water Expo (EIWE) events
  • EBCC organised networking event
  • Cultural dinner
  • A follow up meeting with the Egyptian Ambassador to Egypt

For more information register your interest for FREE and a member of the team will reach out to you

 

UK Export Academy

Get your business ready for Australia and New Zealand

📅 Thursday 18th April

10:00am –11:00am BST

Online

This session will cover how the Australia and New Zealand Free Trade Agreements bring opportunities to UK businesses to supercharge their international growth in Oceania. Register

Get your business ready for the Middle East and Pakistan

📅 Tuesday 23rd April

10:00am –11:00am BST

Online

UK products and services are in high demand from customers in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and Pakistan. In this session we will help businesses discover whether these countries, are ideal markets for their product or service. Register

About the author

Suffolk Chamber

Thinking of becoming a member?

Take a look at the benefits now

More details

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
Find out more here