Get ready for GB inbound border controls

The UK left the Brexit standstill transition period on its expiry on 1 January 2021. The terms of the new EU-UK trading arrangements – in the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) – took effect the same day. In accordance with this, the EU decided to introduce full border controls on GB goods from 1 January 2021. The UK Government decided to defer the implementation of inbound GB border controls in respect of EU goods until 1 January 2022.

Here’s what you need to be ready for as an importer in GB, and speaking to EU suppliers (excluding those in the Republic of Ireland for now) and customers from 1 January:

Expiry of easement on suppliers’ declaration usage not being required at time of export. Companies can  prove origin through an EUR1 certificate supplied by their Chamber of Commerce, a statement of origin made on a supplier invoice, a suppliers’ declaration being in place at the time of export of the goods or for goods arriving in GB, or by relying on ‘importer’s knowledge’.
Expiry of easement on deferred supplementary customs declarations (importers have been permitted to defer these by up to 175 days during 2021). Declarations will need to be made at the point of entry alongside the goods from this date (although some traders may be authorised in advance on application to make simplified declarations).
Check whether the UK Commodity Codes for your goods have changed. 351 sets of amendments are being made, impacting over 5500 HS Headings and Subheadings.
Introduction of GVMS (Goods Vehicle Movement System) in GB. Your customs broker, hauliers or freight forwarders should be able to create a GVMS entry for your goods – now is the time to speak to them. The system is easy to operate and should not incur any costs, ChamberCustoms provide this service free to their customers.
Pre-notification of plant products and products of animal origin before consignments leave EU for GB begins. Goods not pre-notified to the UK IPAFFS database cannot travel.