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A host of changes are coming to UK customs in the coming months and 2025, including the next phase of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) and the EU’s Carbon Border Operating Model (CBAM).
Ahead of a Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade webinar on ‘How importing is changing’, we spoke to panellist and Chartered Institute advisory practice lead for imports, Ilona Kawka, on the updates that are coming and how to be prepared.
You can sign up for that free webinar, which takes place at 2pm on 25 September, here.
How firms should prepare
One recent change to the plans for the UK border is the announcement that new checks on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) goods entering the country will not enter force until July 2025, rather than the previously planned date of January.
We reported last week that the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) explained the delay would “ensure that checks are introduced progressively to protect our biosecurity while also minimising disruption and costs to trade”.
Kawka emphasizes that firms should use the delay to ensure they are fully prepared, highlighting that the extension is specifically intended to give businesses the time they need to be completely ready.
“Review your systems and contact us to explore your options. While some supply chains are mostly prepared for the upcoming checks, others may still need support to get ready. We're here to help ensure you are ready for the changes ahead.
“Stay up to date with the latest changes, and if you haven’t started preparing yet, please start now.’’
Advisory practice
Kawka will be speaking at next week’s webinar as she helps launch the Chartered Institute’s new Imports Advisory Practice, which will support traders to manage the complexities of importing.
“The new Advisory Practice offers an objective, outside perspective that brings specialist expertise to your specific challenges.
“Whether it’s BTOM, inward processing or the digitalisation of supply chains, we can guide you through changes in import processes.”
The webinar will also be launching a whitepaper exploring upcoming changes to the UK border in 2025, along with expert insight into how traders can be best prepared during this period.
Modernising Authorisations
During the webinar, Kawka will also draw attention to the changes coming in under the Modernising Authorisations project, which will soon implement a new digital portal aimed at simplifying the customs authorisations processes.
“The government has been reviewing and analysing the data submitted for authorisations applications. The exciting part is that they’re developing a digital portal, set to launch soon, which will allow traders to manage their authorisations more efficiently. This will help reduce the administrative burden and give businesses real-time updates.”
Adjusting to the changes could be made easier with Chartered Institute support, Kawka says.
“The Chartered Institute is ready to help traders manage these changes in requirements, while the government will also provide materials to help them prepare.”
The government's overview of the changes can be found here.
Environmental regulation changes
Next week’s webinar will also see Kawka and other guests explore changes coming to customs for those exporting to the EU, including the implementation of the next phase of the bloc’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
The EU recommitted last month to a deadline for suppliers to source accurate data on emissions in their supply chains when submitting reports under CBAM in Q3 of 2024. It also shared guidance on the level of effort required from firms to comply with the regulation.
Other environmental regulations are also likely to come into focus:
“We're in the middle of a major wave of regulatory changes, as everything that's been planned over the past few years is finally being put into action.’’
“The end of 2024 and start of 2025 will be an especially intense period. The EU’s deforestation regulation, which entered into force in June 2023, is now moving into the next phase, focused on experts working to develop a detailed framework for its implementation, which should take place in December this year.”