Operate after Brexit
Trade and customs: 2021-22 timeline
Trade and customs: 2021-22 timeline
It's vital for businesses to ensure they are up to date with changing rules and regulations surrounding their business operations. Key dates for companies to note in the remainder of 2021 and 2022 are listed below.
More dates will be added as trade policy develops. For example, potential changes to commodity codes, agreements - if any - between the UK and EU on Mutual Recognition/adequacy and around Trade in Services.
In addition to the impact of the key dates noted below there are impacts that have already arisen as a result of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement for example on Rules of Origin, Bilateral Cumulation and Selling Services.
Key dates
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.
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.
How to apply if you want to settle in the UK and you are resident in the UK - GOV.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.
Find out more on the Information Commissioner's Office website.
€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.
New Export Health Certificates
The EU has confirmed a delay to when traders must start to use the new Export Health Certificates (EHCs).
The new Animal Health Regulation (AHR) EHCs were due to be used from 21 August 2021 for goods moved to Northern Ireland or exported to the EU. However, the EU has confirmed a delay to the date the new EHCs must be signed until 15 January 2022.
This includes EHCs for all products of animal origin, live animals, germinal products and composite products. Defra have confirmed that both the existing and the new AHR EHCs are available on EHC online and traders can decide which EHCs they wish to use. The EU will be amending some of the new AHR EHCs and a small number of these, where changes are significant, will be removed from EHC Online until the certificate is updated.
More information will be provided shortly about which EHCs this will include.
The EU’s proposal will mean that current EHCs signed before 15 January 2022 can be used until 15 March 2022 for goods en route to the EU. Changes to the rules for the certification of composite products which took effect in April 2021 continue to apply.
UK Border Operating Model
Intended changes due to come into force on the 1 October will now be introduced on either 1 January 2022 or 1 July 2022. These changes relate to certification and pre-import notification impacting imports for Products of Animal Origin (POAO), Animal by-Products (ABP) and High Risk Food not of Animal Origin (HRFNAO), including import pre-notification through IPAFFS.
Find out more about these changes on the GOV.UK website
REACH chemical regulations
EU held registrations: GB downstream users
UK downstream users (who do not hold an EU REACH registration) currently importing from an EU/EEA country need to ensure the substances they purchase are covered by a valid UK REACH registration. Business will need to take actions to ensure that the chemical is registered for UK REACH purposes and they must notify HSE of their intention to continue importing substances by 27 October 2021.
Safety and security requirements on exports from Great Britain
From 1 October 2021, safety and security declarations will be due on goods leaving Great Britain in vehicles, and for empty containers, pallets and vehicles moving to the EU under a transport contract.
This will reflect the existing model already in place for Great Britain trade with countries outside the EU.
For more information visit GOV.UK
Statement of Origin
The grace period for holding a supplier’s declaration at the time of claiming preference ends.
UK Border Operating Model
Further implementation of the UK’s Border Operating model takes place from the 1 January. This means:
- Full frontier declarations are required for all imported goods.
- Full customs controls and customs checks apply along with the requirement for full frontier declarations. Businesses that still wish to use deferred import simplified frontier declarations will be required to apply for CFSP approval (Customs Freight Simplified Procedures), unless they use the services of an agent.
- Customs checks will begin on imports into Great Britain (GB) from the European Union (EU).
- Pre-notification and documentary checks are required for import of agri-foods (for live animals and animal by-products; re-notification is through IPAFFS for the import of products, animals, food and feed system).
- GVMS goes live for EU to GB imports when passing through GB ports that are not inventory linked (this includes Dover, Eurotunnel, and Holyhead).
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.
New Export Health Certificates from 15 January 2022
The EU is making changes to its laws, which means it is necessary to make updates to Export Health Certificates (EHCs) and Notes for Guidance used to export goods to the EU.
This includes EHCs for all products of animal origin, live animals, germinal products and composite products. British traders exporting the above goods to the EU will need to use the new EHCs from 15 January 2022.
The EU’s proposal will mean that current EHCs signed before 15 January 2022 can be used until 15 March 2022 for goods en route to the EU. In the meantime, read GOV.UK information on getting an export health certificate, and use the links down the right-hand side of the linked page to view detailed guidance for specific products.
Border Operating Model
The final implementation of the UK’s phased Border Operating Model takes place. This means:
- Safety and security declarations are now required for imports into Great Britain from the EU.
- Export Health Certificates are required for agri-foods. This includes Health Certificates for all products of animal origin, live animals, germinal products and composite products. Check GOV.UK for information on getting an export health certificate.
- Import pre-notification and phytosanitary certificates are required for plant, plant products and timber-based products.
- SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) checks on animal and animal products, plant and plant products will take place at Border Control Posts.
Further information about moving food or drink into Great Britain from July 2022 can be found on GOV.UK.
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