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DEFRA HOLD WEBINAR ON COMMON USER CHARGE

Further to last week’s article regarding the announcement of the Common User Charge, Defra held a webinar covering how the charge will apply to imports entering GB through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel from 30th April 2024.

The webinar covered the following areas:

  • What is the Common User Charge
  • What is in scope
  • What is out of scope
  • Common User Charge rates
  • Who pays the charge
  • Compliance framework
  • Guidance and support for business

We can report that there were over 700 people on the webinar, a testament to just how emotive a subject this is.

Disappointingly, there were also a significant number of people reporting they were unable to join the session as it appears it had reached capacity. Therefore, for those who may have missed it, a copy of the slides can be accessed here.

A recording of the webinar is also now available on their YouTube channel here.

You will see on the slides that some pre-submitted questions were answered but many questions remain. If members have any questions, please do not hesitate to send them through to deniserion@bfff.co.uk who will be happy to assist.

BFFF will be reviewing all relevant information over the coming weeks and will endeavour to keep members updated.

PREVENT FOOD WASTE AT THE FIRST STEP WITH YEARSLEY FOOD

6.2 million tonnes of food is wasted by the manufacturing industry every year in the UK, equivalent to 3.1 billion meals. Make Yearsley Food the number one choice for your food waste reduction programme.

HOW CAN YEARSLEY FOOD HELP?

If you have short dated, end of line or any other residual stock, Yearsley Food will buy that stock from you, preventing it from going to waste and preventing disposal costs. The repack team will discretely remove of all branding and give the product a new identity and best before date. Our specialist sales team will then sell the repacked product to our wholesale and retail customers.

PROVEN TRACK RECORD

In 2023 Yearsley Food’s repack division repacked 3.5 million kilos of food, the equivalent of seven million meals, which would otherwise have potentially gone to waste, incurring disposal costs for the producer. Instead, this food was repacked, resold, and consumed on tables up and down the country. Yearsley Food’s repack division is now 60 team members strong, with the facility in Heywood, Greater Manchester, operating six packing lines around the clock.

DECADES OF EXPERIENCE

Yearsley Food has been a frozen food specialist for over seventy years, and today operates across the retail, foodservice, ingredients, cost sector, seafood and wholesale markets in the UK and Ireland. Yearsley Food is part of Lineage, a global leader in cold storage and logistics with more than 22,000 employees across over 400 locations and spanning 20 countries across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America.

GET IN TOUCH

If you are a food business in the UK or EU, see how Yearsley Food can help you prevent food waste.

Contact

jonny.hayman@yearsley.co.uk

01706 694 289

Link for more information: Prevent Food Waste at the First Step | Yearsley Food

CHILLED PACKAGING SOLVES BUTCHER’S MEATY PACKAGING PROBLEMS

The Ginger Pig’s packaging problem

The Ginger Pig has blossomed into a burgeoning and hugely successful butchery business. Each of their nine shops in London offers a wide range of delectable high-welfare, slow-reared meats, delicious cold cuts, and other mouth-watering, sustainably sourced delicacies including their renowned sausage rolls!

Like many other businesses using chilled packaging to send products direct to their consumers’ doors, their previous eCommerce packaging wasn’t meeting their needs, resulting in disappointed customers due to damaged packaging and poor unboxing experiences.

Our team was able to combat these problems by creating a bespoke chilled packaging solution for The Ginger Pig that reduced product damage and offered more benefits.

Proof in the pudding

The Ginger Pig team were so impressed with the packaging solutions we created for Mindful Chef that they approached our team to explore creating something similar to protect their fresh produce and ensure super-satisfied customers. The Ginger Pig recognised our passion and experience in helping small businesses during a period of growth. So, they turned to our Smurfit Kappa Beacon team for their extensive expertise and innovative ideas to create fit-for-purpose and on-brand packaging that mirrored the quality of their meaty product offerings and online business.

Perfect solution for cold meats and more

Our bespoke chilled packaging solution for The Ginger Pig boasts a whole host of benefits for the brand, including:

Reduced product damage – the newly sized boxes were fit-for-purpose and correctly sized, leading to better customer experiences, lower returns, and a higher likelihood of repeat purchases.

Improved unboxing experience – when we reviewed their packaging, we recommended they switch to gel packs as the ice packs previously used were

impacting the internal liners and compromising the integrity of their packaging. The gel packs meant no more unsatisfactory and soggy unboxing experiences for The Ginger Pig customers.

Reduced costs – the introduction of self-seal tape replaced the previously labour-intensive taped base and hand-glued finishing, reducing the time needed to erect the boxes. The new packaging reduced the time it takes to pick, wrap, pack, and ship their products. Plus, the new solution resulted in decreased DPD postal subscription rates per year.

Increased sustainability credentials – our bespoke chilled packaging removed the need for non-recyclable wool insulation whilst maintaining the required temperature of the boxes. Plus, smaller boxes mean more boxes per pallet, reducing CO2 emissions and the brand’s wider carbon footprint.

Increased storage space – by no longer needing to store the wool insulation in their warehouse, they could reclaim up to 30% of their racking for additional storage space.

Meat-ing The Ginger Pig’s expectations

The new chilled packaging was the result of our packaging experts assessing the unique needs of this brand and how the products fared as they travelled through the supply chain. We devised a corrugated solution, utilising new pack styles that featured a tamper-evident pack with self-seal tape and zipper rule openings for improved security and efficiency.

Lynsey Coughlan, Operations Director at The Ginger Pig, reflects, “The team at Smurfit Kappa were able to take the problems we were facing and provide truly effective solutions. Our new packaging adds value in so many different ways, not only for the business but most importantly to our customers.”

Streamlining farm-to-fork and everything in between

At Smurfit Kappa, we understand how important it is for you to provide your customers with a unique and positive unboxing experience. That’s why we’ve applied proven methods to find the ideal packaging solutions for all our client’s requirements.

We’re proud to have provided The Ginger Pig with exceptional chilled packaging that will guarantee they stand out against the competition, build their brand collateral, and provide a superior unboxing experience. The new packaging has made their whole packing process faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective.

To find out more about how we can boost your brand by creating compelling, captivating, and convenient packaging for your products, get in touch today.

BFFF HELP THE DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY (BEIS) DEVELOP AND DIGITISE THE CURRENT PRIMARY AUTHORITY SCHEME!

Back in 2014, BFFF were the first trade association to take on the primary authority scheme, today, we still continue to protect our members from unwanted legal challenges and deliver crucial benefits through the scheme. More recently, as a respected and well established primary authority provider, BFFF was approached by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to take part in a government initiative to further develop and digitalise the scheme. It was a privilege to be involved in this review, however, this did come with a caveat as Simon Brentnall BFFF’s Head of Health & Safety explains;

‘In the meeting, we did stress the importance of digitalisation, we do need to bridge the generation gap and innovate, this could translate into the development of a Primary Authority app. More importantly, we also made it clear what a good primary authority partnership really looks like. We raised the point that BFFF’s success with the scheme was not down to digitalisation but down to developing relationships through conversation, by simply picking up the phone and having regular discussions.

The one piece of advice I would give to any company looking to take on primary authority would be to find a partner which is amenable, someone you can have regular open and honest dialogue with experience in your industry.

Over the years we have been lucky enough in finding the ideal partner who excel in this criteria. We use Wakefield Metropolitan District Council for Health & Safety, they are amenable and nothing is too much trouble with the added benefit of having knowledge of our industry.

In summary, let’s develop, let’s innovate but most importantly, let’s keep talking….

To find out more about the primary authority scheme, contact:simonbrentnall@bfff.co.uk

DEFRA CONFIRMS RATES FOR COMMON USER CHARGE

The Common User Charge rates have now been confirmed on Gov.UK.

You can also view the Government’s response to the consultation on charging arrangements at Government-run border control posts here

Defra will be hosting a webinar on the Common User Charge rates, who will need to pay and how it will be administered – on Wednesday 10 April between 9:30 and 10:30am. You can sign up to attend the webinar here.

You are requested to pre-submit your questions by 3pm on Tuesday 9 April. You’ll be given the option to do this when signing up for the session. Defra will be answering most commonly asked questions, as well as taking further prioritised questions at the session.

For ease of reference, Defra have provided information on the Common User Charge below:

 

About the Common User Charge

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, our food and farming industries, and our 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.

From 30 April 2024, the following rates will be charged for each commodity line in a Common Health Entry Document (CHED).

Commodity type: Low-risk products of animal origin (POAO)

  • Imports – £10 per commodity line
  • Transits – £10 per commodity line

Commodity type: Medium-risk POAO

  • Imports – £29 per commodity line
  • Transits – £10 per commodity line

Commodity type: High-risk POAO

  • Imports – £29 per commodity line
  • Transits – £10 per commodity line

Commodity type: Low-risk plants and plant products

  • Imports – no common user charge
  • Transits – no common user charge

Commodity type: Medium-risk plants and plant products

  • Imports – £29 per commodity line
  • Transits – no common user charge

Commodity type: High-risk plants and plant products

  • Imports – £29 per commodity line
  • Transits – no common user charge

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.

The impact of the Common User Charge on businesses of all sizes will be kept under monthly and quarterly reviews, with rates reviewed and updated annually.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING NEW IMPORT CONTROLS COMING ON 30TH APRIL

New import controls have been introduced and further changes will come into effect from 30 April 2024. From 30 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 31 October 2024, with the precise date to be confirmed.

Import notifications and customs declarations

From 30 April, HMRC/Defra systems will cross-check the CHED import notification & customs declaration for each consignment of goods subject to SPS controls imported from EU countries.

This is already in place for non-EU countries. To avoid the consignment being directed to a BCP when it may not need to attend, the CHED import notification reference and commodity codes must be consistent between the notification and the customs declaration. Follow these steps.

  • Submit the import notification using IPAFFS before your customs agent submits the customs declaration using Customs Declaration Service.
  • Use the new Copy function to copy the CHED reference and customs Doc code in the correct format for the customs declaration.
  • Send to your customs agent together with a PDF copy of the import notification. Ask them to double check the commodity codes are the same in the customs declaration. They should also check that there are no special characters in the description of goods field (Data Element 6/8).
  • Work with your customs agent to fix any errors shown on CDS or IPAFFS before the consignment reaches the port of departure, to avoid it being directed to a BCP when it may not need to attend.

Use of a scanned copy of an Export Health Certificate

For a three-month period from 30 April 2024 a temporary easement will be in place to enable the full requirements of a documentary check to be satisfied when a scanned copy of an original Export Health Certificate (EHC) or Phytosanitary certificate (PC) is provided in an importer’s prenotification. Where a scanned copy is provided, the original EHC or PC should be provided to competent authorities within five (EHC) or three (PC) business days of a consignment’s arrival.

The temporary easement will only apply to EHCs for animal products and by products from the EU and to PCs for plants and plant products from the EU, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. You should continue to adopt fully digitised certification as soon as possible to reduce the requirement to undergo in person documentary checks at the border once the three-month easement period ends.

Read more: information about Export Health Certificates

Webinars and other useful sources of information:

Sign up to 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.

Join the session at 10.30am on Tuesday 9th April to find out about the forthcoming changes for products of animal origin:

BTOM: Prepare for import controls from 30 April ’24 (animal products) Tickets, Tue 9 Apr 2024 at 10:30 | Eventbrite

If you’re importing plants or plant products, sign up to the webinar on 11th April:

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 our previous webinars for traders.

Read the summary of common errors.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions about IPAFFS and Health Certificates.

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

Member Benefits

Exclusive Partnership deals on key products and services:

  • BFFF energy deals and rates
  • Vypr member deals and introduction
  • Defib Plus deals
  • Company Shop – membership
  • Mentor – MHE training health check

Exclusive access to networking opportunities and events:

  • Meet the Buyer events (retail & foodservice)
  • Annual Business Conference with networking dinner
  • Specialist H&S and Technical Conferences
  • Special interest groups (packaging, frozen food temperatures)
  • Annual Lunch
  • Awards Night
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Sponsorship Packages

We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to BFFF members across our events throughout the year, with flexible packages that can be tailored to suit your business objectives.

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