On the 31 January 2024, new border requirements came into effect for importing certain commodities, including some food, into Great Britain. This marks the start of the introduction of the UK’s new Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). 

BTOM Implementation Timeline 

31 January 2024:

• the introduction of health certification on imports of medium-risk animal products and high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin (HRFNAO) from the EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 
• the introduction of phytosanitary certification on medium-risk plants and plant products from the EU, Switzerland and Lichtenstein 
• the removal of pre-notification requirements for low-risk plant and plant products from the EU, Switzerland and Lichtenstein 
• low-risk animal product imports from EU and EFTA countries must continue to pre-notify as now 
• the introduction of pre-notification for HRFNAO, medium and low-risk animal products, from the EU, EFTA and non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods that are shipped from the island of Ireland 
• the introduction of pre-notification for medium-risk plants and plant products from the EU, Switzerland and Lichtenstein as well as for non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods, that are shipped from the island of Ireland

30 April 2024:

• the introduction of documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks on medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin from the EU 
• existing inspections of high-risk plants/plant products from the EU, Switzerland and Lichtenstein will move from destination to border control posts 
• we will also begin to simplify imports from non-EU countries. This will include the removal of health certification and routine checks on low-risk animal products, plants, plant products from non-EU countries as well as reduction in physical and identity check levels on medium-risk animal products from non-EU countries   

31 October 2024:

• the requirement for Safety and Security declarations for imports into Great Britain from the EU or from other territories where the waiver applies will come into force from 31 October 2024 as set out in the original Target Operating Model 
• alongside this, we will introduce a reduced Safety and Security dataset for all imports and use of the UK Single Trade Window will remove duplication where possible across different pre-arrival datasets – such as pre-lodged customs declarations

Act now to ensure that you and your supply chains are compliant when these changes come in.