Import/export: Border Target Operating Model – new report

28 Aug 2023

The JCCC has forwarded a communication to the CIOT and other stakeholders from the Cabinet Office, about the newly published ‘Border Target Operating Model’ report that ‘sets out a new approach to security controls (applying to all imports), and sanitary and phytosanitary controls (applying to imports of live animals, animal products, plants and plants products) at the border. It sets out how controls will be simplified and digitised via the UK’s new Single Trade Window. It incorporates and responds to feedback from stakeholders on the earlier draft Border Target Operating Model wherever possible. It has been developed with further collaboration across the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments, and engagement with officials from the devolved administration in Northern Ireland.’

The message: 

The UK Government has today (29 August) published its Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), setting out new controls to protect the UK against security and biosecurity threats and create a world-class border system for trade in goods. It can be found here The Border Target Operating Model: August 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The BTOM has been developed following extensive engagement with the border industry and businesses across the UK. It incorporates feedback from the Draft Border Target Operating Model which was published in April 2023. We would like to thank JCCC members who provided feedback as part of that engagement.

The Government has agreed to a delay of 3 months to the introduction of remaining sanitary and phytosanitary controls, as well as full customs controls for non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods, which will now be introduced from January 2024. This has the benefit of giving stakeholders additional requested time to prepare for the model.

Key HMRC-related content in the BTOM includes:

  • Customs controls on Irish goods entering Great Britain will be introduced from 31 January 2024. In accordance with the Windsor Framework, qualifying Northern Ireland goods will continue to have unfettered access to the UK market, whether those goods are moving directly from Northern Ireland to Great Britain or moving to Great Britain from Northern Ireland via Ireland.
  • Safety and Security declarations for imports into Great Britain from the EU or from other territories where the current waiver applies will be introduced from 31 October 2024.
  • Further detail is provided on the UK Single Trade Window which will underpin the new approach to controls. When fully operational, this will provide a single digital gateway for users to provide the data needed to trade and apply for licences and authorisations for trusted trader schemes.

JCCC stakeholders, including the CIOT, have been invited by the Cabinet Office to an ‘all stakeholder’ call on 29 August 2023 to share more details. HMRC will also arrange an agenda item on the BTOM at the next JCCC meeting on 11 September to discuss the HMRC content.