
On Thursday 8th October, Government ramped up preparations for the end of the transition period by publishing an updated Border Operating Model, which provides further detail on how the GB-EU border will work and the actions that traders, hauliers and passengers need to take.
This publication gives traders further information they need to prepare for the changes and opportunities as a result of leaving the EU Single Market and Customs Union, and regardless of whether we reach a trade agreement with the EU.
The Border Operating Model is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-border-operating-model
This latest iteration of the Border Operating Model provides additional information in a number of key areas as set out below, as well as clarifying a number of questions from industry. Also provided is a comprehensive navigation guide to help readers clearly identify where new content has been added since the first iteration of the model.
The key new additions and changes include:
- Details of the new infrastructure requirements including locations;
- Updates in a number of agrifood and environmental policy areas including fish, chemicals, fluorinated greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances, high priority plants and plant products;
- Further detail on delayed customs declarations and the requirements of Entry in Declarants Records (EIDR);
- Further details regarding the approach to liabilities for intermediaries;
- Information on what ‘poor compliance history’ means;
- Clarity on guarantees and DDA requirements;
- Bulk import reduced data set details;
- Further clarity on level of checks applying to goods subject to sanitary and phytosanitary controls in July 2021;
- The “Check an HGV is Ready to Cross the Border” Service (formerly referred to as Smart Freight);
- Refreshed process maps to reflect where greater detail is now available;
- A number of new annexes including passengers’ policies, requirements for aviation, rail and energy sectors; and
- Updated annexes regarding Member State requirements.