Updated Border Operating Model released

On 13 July 2020, the first iteration of the Border Operating Model was published setting out the core model that all importers and exporters will need to follow from January 2021 as well as the additional requirements for specific products such as live animals, plants, products of animal origin and high-risk food not of animal origin.

The government also provided important details of Member State requirements as traders and the border industry will need to ensure they are ready to comply with these, and not just GB requirements.

As set out in the recently published ‘Reasonable Worst Case Scenario’ assumptions, it is largely the level of readiness for Member State requirements which will determine whether there is disruption to the flow of goods at the end of the transition period. This is why there is now additional signposting to those requirements throughout the document, and we are encouraging all GB businesses not just to ensure their own readiness but also the readiness of EU businesses to whom they export, and throughout their supply chains.

Since July the government has been working closely with industry to further develop  plans for the end of the transition period, and also to respond to industry questions since the publication of the first iteration of the Border Operating Model.

This latest iteration of the Border Operating Model provides additional information in a number of key areas as well as clarifying a number of questions from industry.

Click here to access the Border Operating Model – this will be a live document going forward and as the government are able to provide further details, the Border Operating Model will be updated on an ongoing basis.