Border checks delayed until 2022

1st October 2021

British food and drink exports to the European Union (EU) have been subject to full border checks since 1 January 2021 when the Brexit transition period ended. While similar checks on the importation of food and drink from the EU were due to come into force on 1 October 2021, implementation of these border checks have been delayed until July 2022.

Under the new proposals announced by Government, customs declarations and controls on food and drink imports will be introduced as planned on 1 January 2022 but the requirement to make safety and security declarations will be delayed until 1 July 2022 and the need for pre-notification of agri-food imports will be delayed from 1 October 2021 until 1 January 2022.

The new timetable for introducing the border controls is as follows:

WM comment

Although many food and drink businesses have invested significant time and money getting ready for the new border control regime, the postponement will allow all FBOs to be ready for the introduction of checks next year.