Government vows to crack down on traders falsifying BTOM declarations

The UK government has warned businesses that it won’t tolerate the repeated and “criminal” practice of incorrectly completing customs documents to avoid new charges, reports the Guardian.

The claims follow the second round of Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) rules that were introduced in April, including documentary and physical checks on medium- and high-risk plant and animal products.

False information

In a missive to traders sent out last week, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) wrote that many businesses and logistics firms are making “continuous and/or deliberate” errors that could lead to the avoidance of recently introduced charges.

Many medium-risk goods were falsely being marked as low-risk, while high-risk goods were being downgraded to medium-risk.

Defra also suggested that traders had been trying to include multiple Export Health Certificates (EHCs) – documents that must accompany medium- and high-risk goods – on a single Common Health Entry Document (CHED), when only one should be included. With the cost of each document reaching as much as £145, the department suspects this to be a money-saving measure.

The missive also noted that some traders were failing to include EHCs at all for imports of meat and dairy products, as well the corresponding certificate for plants.

Port Health Authorities have been told to take action if they encounter this kind of misrepresentation, which constitutes a criminal offence.

Teething problems

These allegations follows a separate set of guidance designed to iron out other issues arising since the introduction of the new checks in April.

Following a number of complaints from hauliers that delays have led to unacceptable conditions for lorry drivers – with some spending up to 20 hours at Dover’s Border Control Post (BCP) in Sevington –  Defra advised drivers not to approach a BCP when they’re about to take a mandated rest break.

“[Drivers] should aim to take their mandatory rest break (tacho break) at the nearest rest area/truck stop or suitable and safe place BEFORE taking their load to Sevington for checks.”

Amid clarifications around procedures for specific goods, such as fish and eggs, the guidance also offered reminders designed to prevent goods from being turned away.

Traders were told to ensure any animal or plant products were sent to appropriate BCPs that are equipped to carry out the necessary checks for their goods.

Other reminders included making sure BCP staff are provided with codes to locked containers to allow them to access goods for checks.

BTOM progress

Two of the three phases of BTOM have now been implemented. The first phase, introduced on 31 January, required the submission of relevant documentation, such as EHCs and CHEDs. Since 30 April, there have been checks on this documentation, as well as physical inspections on some goods.

The final phase, which will be introduced 31 October, will require EU imports to be accompanied by a safety and security declaration.

Industry experts at a recent Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) special interest group discussed how traders can avoid BTOM delays. You can also learn how to trade animal and plant products efficiently and compliantly through IOE&IT’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) training.