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With new customs regulations alongside continuing global COVID-19 restrictions, 2022 hasn’t been the easiest so far for businesses that move goods between the UK and the EU. But there is hope. The key to keeping your goods moving smoothly depends largely on your preparations for customs changes that have already happened and those that are upcoming at the end of 2022. Take a look at our top 5 tips for businesses looking to navigate Brexit in 2022.
1. Full paperwork compliance is essential for avoiding delays
The post-Brexit customs ‘honeymoon period’ ended at the end of 2021. So if you haven’t moved any goods in or out of the UK in the past couple of months, you will need to re-accustom yourself with the new suite of the appropriate paperwork, or risk transport delays and additional costs. Since 2022, there is no option to delay customs declarations, therefore full customs entries must be submitted on import. Additionally, the introduction of evidence-based rules of origin and commodity code changes brings more complexity. If you haven’t already you should ensure your goods are compliant with the new rules before sending.
2. Full customs declarations and controls now apply
Full customs declarations and controls have been introduced from 01 January 2022, with Safety and Security Declarations now not required until 01 July 2022. Pre-notification requirements of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) goods, which were due to be introduced on 01 October 2021, were introduced from 01 January 2022. This means most deadlines for customs changes have passed and are now in place, but if your goods are SPS then we have more for you below.
3. Certification and physical checks for food items apply from July
From 01 July 2022, certification and physical checks will be introduced for:
From 01 September 2022, certification and physical checks will be introduced for all dairy products. Meanwhile, from 01 November 2022, certification and physical checks will be introduced for all remaining regulated products of animal origin, including composite products and fish products. This also applies to food stuffs such as biscuits, chocolate and cheese and onion crisps which contain a cheese powder.
High-priority plants and plant products checks will transfer from place of destination to designated BCPs and control points from 01 July 2022.
4. Don’t forget GVMS
Now that the UK Government has moved to full customs declarations and controls from 01 January 2022, it has introduced its GVMS (Goods Vehicle Movement Service) platform. GVMS, the UK’s IT platform to administer control of goods at borders, aims to deliver a seamless cross-border solution by providing a single transaction concept for departures and arrivals. The introduction also brings additional customs requirements. For more information, and to register, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-for-the-goods-vehicle-movement-service.
5. Supply chain disruption will continue for the foreseeable future
Supply chain disruption came under intense scrutiny amid much publicity throughout 2021, and unfortunately this is unlikely to change as we enter the second quarter of 2022. With these new customs changes, we believe to provide a more stable cost and service provision going forward, companies should consider keeping their supply chain under one roof with a single logistics provider.
With the support of our dedicated in-house customs team, the Rhenus Group is able to provide an end-to-end solution for customers, complete with expert advice for all of a business’s customs formalities. Through having one point of contact to manage all your customs requirements, including export, S&S, border and import formalities, your transport needs will be simplified and, importantly, you’ll have peace of mind.
