New import controls have been introduced and further changes will come into effect from 30th April 2024.

From 30th April 2024 traders must:  

• Ensure goods arrive through an appropriately designated Border Control Post (BCP) or Control Point (CP) for your commodity type  
• If called, present the consignment for documentary, physical and identification inspections at the BCP or CP  

These requirements will apply to EU and non-qualifying Northern Ireland Goods entering GB from the island of Ireland no earlier than 31st October 2024, with the precise date to be confirmed.

 
New ‘in-progress’ BCP designation application details published on gov.uk 

Today, the location and basic information of in-progress applications has been published to give traders a GB-wide snapshot of the potential choice and geographical spread of BCP import options for their particular goods from 30th April 2024.   

If/when an application is approved, the details will move from in-progress to designated on the gov.uk pages and the BCP maps ahead of 30th April.   

• BCP application in-progress list on gov.uk  
• BCP map for animal products (applications in-progress will be updated by 10 April 2024)  
• BCP map for plants and plant products (applications in-progress will be updated by 10 April 2024) 

Please note that this information has been shared with consent of the operator, with the understanding that this is information relating to an application in progress.  

Common User Charge 

Information has been published about the confirmed Common User Charge rates and how the charge will apply to imports entering Great Britain through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel from 30th April 2024. You can also view the Government’s response to the consultation on charging arrangements at Government-run border control posts here. 

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 business to pay the charge will be set out in guidance ahead of 30th April 2024.    

IUU documentation – changes from 30th April 2024 

The UK’s Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing requirements came into effect for EU imports from January 2021, to help combat IUU fishing.  

IUU fishing documentation (catch certificates, processing statements and evidence of storage) must be sent in advance, for all relevant imports, to the Port Health Authority (PHA).  

These documents will need to be uploaded to IPAFFs from 30th April 2024, and you’ll need to provide the following for each uploaded catch certificate:

• catch certificate reference 
• date of issue 
• flag state of catching vessel  

For more information on procedures and guidelines for IUU check, please click here.   

Please contact the PHA to find out how far in advance you need to provide these documents. The minimum timings set in the legislation are 72 hours in advance for imports by sea, 4 hours by rail or air and 2 hours by road.  

IUU risk-based checks are separate to SPS inspections. 

Stay informed about the latest Port Health news by registering at: https://www.porthealth.uk/contact/