Trade and customs: 2021-22 timeline

REACH: The transfer of UK registrations to the EU must be completed by the end of March 2021. If not, the transfer will be cancelled, and registration revoked resulting in UK registrants no longer being able to legally place substances on the EU market.

Goods of animal or plant origin for human consumption

Businesses moving goods of animal or plant origin for human consumption from the UK to Northern Ireland will be required to provide an Export Health Certificate on goods movements from 1 April 2021.

Imports for products of animal origin will require import pre-notification through IPAFFS and there will be physical checks at the point of destination.

Check the guidance

EU Settlement Scheme

The deadline for EU nationals who are already resident in the UK applying to the EU Settlement Scheme is 30 June 2021.

Apply if you want to settle in the UK and you are resident in the UK

Data Flows

Unless there is a data adequacy agreement, the UK will become a third country outside of the EU for the purpose of personal data transfers. This will have an impact on UK businesses holding EU personal data.

€22 Low Value Consignment Relief

This scheme ends on 1 July and from then all imports will be subject to EU VAT.

Introduction of the One-Stop-Shop (‘OSS’) single EU VAT return and withdrawal of Distance Selling thresholds.

Northern Ireland

Waiver declarations end on Chilled Meats moving from GB to NI

UK Border Operating Model

Phase 2 comes into effect, impacting imports for Products of Animal Origin (POAO), including import pre-notification through IPAFFS and physical checks at the point of destination.

Northern Ireland

The grace period has been moved from 1 April to 1 October 2021 (subject to legal proceedings). If you are an NI business receiving parcels through an express carrier or Royal Mail Group containing prohibited, restricted and business-to-business goods worth more than £135, from 1 October 2021 you must submit a declaration (submission required three months from receiving the goods).

GB suppliers will be required to provide Export Health Certificates for goods sold to supermarkets in Northern Ireland.

The one-year transition period for use of CE Marked goods in the UK ends.

Statement of Origin

The grace period for holding a supplier’s declaration at the time of claiming preference ends.

Northern Ireland

End of the 12-month grace period on meeting regulatory requirements for medicines (grace period introduced to avoid any disruption to flow of medicines from GB to NI).

UK Border Operating Model

Phase 3 comes into effect which means: 

• Import declarations are required for all imported goods
• Declarations are now required for deferred declarations for imports prior to 30 June
• Businesses who have deferred import declarations will be required to apply for CFSP approval (Customs Freight Simplified Procedures), unless they use the services of an agent

Entry Safety and Security

Declarations are now required for all imported goods.

Checks at UK borders (or designated inland inspection points) will be enforced. 

Pre-notification requirements and documentary checks, including phytosanitary certificates will be required for low risk plants and plant products from 1 January.

Physical SPS checks on high risk plants and agri-food and feed (including products of animal origin and high-risk foods not of animal origin) will take place at Border Control Posts, rather than at the place of destination as now from 1 January.

Border Operating Model

Checks at Border Control Posts will take place on live animals and low risk plants and plant products.