Exporter

UK import controls – implementation dates

Irish exporters exporting to, or through, the United Kingdom (UK), excluding Northern Ireland, must comply with:

  • Irish customs export formalities that have applied since 1 January 2021
  • UK import customs requirements
  • and
  • UK requirements for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) movements.

UK requirements for imports from Ireland are now due to take effect on a phased basis in line with the schedule outlined below. This schedule reflects the key milestones that impact on Irish exporters and their supply chain partners in the UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).

20 December 2023

Permanent waivers were introduced removing the requirement to submit Safety and Security declarations for the following low risk movements:

  • outbound fish
  • outbound transit (where an entry summary declaration has been lodged within 14 days)
  • and
  • outbound freeport goods.

31 January 2024

  • Imports of SPS goods from Ireland will need to be pre-notified on the UK's SPS import system IPAFFS. This requirement already applies to imports of such goods from the rest of the European Union (EU) since 1 January 2022.
  • Export health certificates and phytosanitary certificates will apply to medium risk animal products and plant and plant products imported to Great Britain (GB) from the EU.
  • Full customs formalities will apply to goods moving directly from Ireland into ports in GB.

Note

UK import declarations will need to be pre-lodged and notified using the Goods Vehicle Movement System (GVMS). Hauliers who move goods through UK ports which use the GVMS will need to register for the service. This will help to ensure that goods are processed through customs without delay.

30 April 2024

Documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks will apply to the following products from the EU (excluding Ireland):

  • medium-risk animal products
  • medium-risk plants
  • medium-risk plant products
  • and
  • high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin. 

The global model of controls will apply to imports from the rest of the world.

  • Health certificates will no longer be required for low-risk goods.
  • Pre-notification will no longer be required for low-risk plant and plant products.
  • Existing inspections of high-risk plants and plant products from the EU will move from destination (for example, an importer's premises) to Border Control Posts (BCPs).

Note

Checks on landbridge transit movements will also commence at this stage.

31 October 2024

Safety and Security declarations for EU imports will come into force from 31 October 2024. A reduced dataset for imports will remove duplication, where possible, across different pre-arrival datasets such as Safety and Security, SPS and pre-lodged customs declarations.

Documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks will apply to the following products from Ireland at ports on the west coast of GB:

  • medium-risk animal products
  • medium-risk plants
  • medium-risk plant products
  • and
  • high-risk food and feed of non-animal origin. 

The date of commencement of physical checks for non-qualifying goods moving from the island of Ireland will be confirmed in autumn 2023.

Exporters and their supply chain partners should take the necessary steps to prepare for these additional changes.

Note

Guidance on this page is based on the latest information available from the UK Government.