Update August 2021: Imports – Pre-notification Times updated

Guidance: Imports – Pre-notification Times updated

Between 1 October to 31 December 2021, businesses can self – apply the derogation for pre-notification of consignments into Great Britain.  

Background

The Official Control Regulations (OCR) set out the requirement for traders to pre-notify at least one working day prior to the arrival of consignments into Great Britain. Legislation allows for a derogation, reducing this to no less than 4 hours prior to arrival where logistical constraints prevent earlier pre-notification.

OCR specifies that the competent authority at the Border Control Post can apply the derogation and set pre-notification times accordingly. For imports of Products of Animal Origin, Animal By Products and High Risk Food Not of Animal Origin this is the Port Health Authority operating at the point of entry.

Legislation allows for a derogation, reducing the notification time to no less than 4 hours prior to arrival where logistical constraints prevent earlier pre-notification. OCR specifies this derogation can be applied by the competent authority at the Border Control Post.

 

New Temporary Arrangements

From 1 October to 31 December, Products of Animal Origin (POAO), Animal By-Products (ABP), and High Risk Foods Not of Animal Origin (HRFNAO) being imported from the European Union (EU) into Great Britain (GB) can continue to arrive at any point of entry, and there is no requirement to attend a Border Control Post.

To support businesses with the new requirements, and give them time to adapt ahead of the January 2022 changes, businesses will be able to take advantage of the derogation and notify no less than 4 hours in advance of arrival at the point of entry, without any need to contact the relevant competent authority.

This is a temporary arrangement. From 1 January 2022, importers will be required to contact the competent authority at the point of entry to determine if, and by what degree, a derogation from 24 hours can be applied.

Anyone taking advantage of the derogation between 1 October and 31 December will need to consider that they may not be able to do so from 1 January 2022.

This applies only to EU to GB imports of POAO, ABP and HRFNAO subject to SPS border controls from 1 October 2021.

This temporary derogation does not apply to rest of world goods transiting the EU which are not cleared for circulation on the EU market where the final destination is Great Britain. There is no change to existing controls introduced on 1 January 2021, or to controls in place for third countries not subject to the phased introduction of import controls.

 

Trader Readiness Team

Animal and Animal Imports (EU to GB)

The UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs