This might also be of interest to you: Download our free Post Brexit Guidelines!

In addition, the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on supply chains and rising energy costs were factors in the decision to delay the measure, it said. Also to be suspended is the requirement for security declarations when importing goods into the United Kingdom.

The customs controls, which originally were to have taken effect July 1, 2022, include:

• The requirement for further Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks on EU imports currently at destination to be moved to Border Control Post (BCP).
• The requirement for safety and security declarations on EU imports.
• The requirement for further health certification and SPS checks for EU imports.
• Prohibitions and restrictions on the import of chilled meats from the EU.

The ministerial statement goes on to say that “businesses can now stop their preparations for July and a target operating model will be published in the autumn setting out the new import controls at borders, now planned for the end of 2023.”

It is important to note in this context that import controls already in place since January 1, 2022 will remain in place.

Always keep track of current Brexit developments with a competent partner at your side. Contact your local Gerlach office now – we will be happy to support you with your customs matters.

Acting as UK Sales Representative for Gerlach, Baxter Freight manages market-leading end-to-end logistics solutions between the UK and EU. Driven by customer service, the team’s collaborative capabilities ensure a full-package product which includes managing and fulfilling both customs clearance and freight movement.

Business to Consumer distribution

The unique 2-day B2C distribution model delivered by Baxter Freight and Gerlach allows European customers quick access to UK products. The team provides next-day delivery for UK to Germany shipments, achieved by overnight management with 30 scheduled touchpoints. The goods are injected directly into parcel carrier hubs in Germany within 24 hours of leaving the UK, leaving the following day for final customer distribution across Europe.

Transit and clearance times

Throughout the year, transit and clearance times have decreased, with German import clearances for around 600 commodity codes taking under an hour in December 2021. There were also major efficiency gains in Rotterdam, where high volumes of DDP clearances take place quickly. The bespoke, integrated technical system, developed by both companies, ensures customers are supported by a direct result of both companies’ efforts.

New ways of working

To support time-critical movements, both companies have adapted and restructured to ensure continual customs support. Gerlach UK and Baxter Freight have moved to working 24/7, with Gerlach Germany transitioning to working extended hours to facilitate the freight and customs movements for this solution.

Looking forward

John Peeters, Managing Director Gerlach Benelux & UK, said:

“We’re proud to work collaboratively with Baxter Freight, whose sales focus and customer service driven approach means together we offer unique, end-to-end logistics solutions. We’ve spent 2021 providing value-added services for our customers, and the next step is to grow our product portfolio in 2022. This is great news for all our joint customers.”

Peter Isler, Managing Director Baxter Freight, said:

“With the advance of new customs rules for UK imports, we’re excited to work closely with Gerlach as we launch an upgraded UK import product for palletised freight. The expertise delivered by Gerlach directly impacts our customers, allowing us to keep freight moving despite the complexities of new rules and Brexit challenges.”

Registration for GVMS is mandatory

GVMS went live on January 1, 2022. It is a new border IT system that links declaration references to the haulier, allowing it to present a single reference, the goods movement reference (GMR), at the border as proof of pre-lodged declarations.

This might also be of interest to you: Download our free Post Brexit Guidelines!

Some hauliers have faced delays bringing goods into Britain due to issues with the new border IT system – the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) – that was introduced at the start of this year.

All transport companies moving goods through ports that use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) must register for the GVMS (Goods Vehicle Movement Service) and obtain a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) number to move goods within the UK. On the GOV.UK Website you find the full list of ports using the GVMS system: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/list-of-ports-using-the-goods-vehicle-movement-service

For food importers to UK – pre notification via IPAFFS system needed.

IPAFFS is a web-based service for the application for, and issuing of, Common Health Entry Documents (CHEDs) for imports from outside the EU and EEA of live animals, their products and germplasm. IPAFFS is the system used for notifying GB authorities of movements of live animals, their products and germplasm into to GB from countries outside the EU and EEA.

The notification needs to be done one working day before arrival of the goods.

For further details please check the GOV.UK Website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-of-products-animals-food-and-feed-system

We will continue our efforts to update to support companies with customs matters. It is important to keep ourselves up to date on the newest regulations and assess those implications on time. For further assistance on UK side, please reach out to the Gerlach UK team.

You can no longer delay the submission of import customs declarations, as was possible under the Staged Customs Controls that applied in 2021. Most customers will have to declare their goods and pay the corresponding duties at the time of import. (see link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/less-than-a-month-until-full-customs-controls-are-introduced)

We can expect increased Customs Checks/controls at the border starting 1. January 2022

2. GVMS usage is mandatory starting 1.1.2022:

The goods vehicle movement service (GVMS) is a UK Government IT platform for moving goods into or out of Northern Ireland and Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).

From 1. January 2022, every transporter is obliged to register on this platform if they transports goods from the EU to the UK under the common transit procedure (= transit document) or in transit.

Without registration in the above (Goods Vehicle Movement Service) GVMS, a carrier will NOT be able to transit the goods via any port (incl. Folkestone) in the UK using this service from January 2022. Customs will reject the vehicle upon arrival in the UK at the latest.

All ports using GVMS for goods control will then require pre-deposited declarant references which will be merged into a single Goods Movement Reference (GMR). We already know a similar procedure today with the creation of the border pass.

Transporters who have not yet registered are urgently requested to do so immediately. For this a UK EORI number is required in advance. After registration  will be received a movement reference (under www.gov.uk the steps are explained). 

3. All products of animal origin (POAO) – for example meat, honey, milk or egg products will require an IPAFFS pre-notification.

These are three of many aspects that we think are important to consider. To understand all details and get the full picture of requirements please check the gov.uk Website. A document we highly recommend to look at is the The Border Operating Model.

We highly recommend trading companies to start the preparation, especially for transport companies being prepared on GVMS usage.

For more information around how to obtain a Government Gateway Account, get a GB EORI and register for GVMS please see:

GVMS Registrations Webinar available on YouTube Link here

GVMS Registration journey (specific for Non UK haulier) available on YouTube Link here.

I have worked in Freight and Customs area for the last 20 years. Lastly before joining Gerlach, I was also responsible for Customs and Brexit, building up the Customs product and ramping up teams in the light of Brexit.

On my first day at work it was really a special day. We celebrated Gerlach’s 140th birthday and I was received very warmly by the team. My Managers came over from other countries to give me a personal introduction. I was really very honored by that.

My first impression of Gerlach was what an impressive company with such a long history. Not many companies can look back on 140 years.

"The way the team has mastered the challenges with Covid and Brexit makes us all proud."

Let us speak about Brexit: a short review from you and what is still to come?

I think for many companies the new customs formalities were a big challenge. Not only to name the problem side… I also see a lot of the positive side.

Some companies in the UK are now better positioned for international trade, they have better and more compliant processes in the Supply Chain.

From 1 January 2022, Goods vehicle movement (GVMS) will be in place for all imports and exports at GB port locations who have chosen to use it. GVMS is a UK Government IT platform for moving goods. In short, all customs declarations must be completed before the truck arrives at the border. It is very important for us and our customers to stay informed about these changes.

For me, in my role as Managing Director, the most important thing is to build a structure in our organization in the UK. We have grown very quickly and now need to organize ourselves effectively in order to be able to continue our growth. At the same time, we are also looking at automation and digitization and will be tackling projects in this area.

We are still recruiting and now is a great opportunity for newcomers to join us, we are looking for innovative, committed team members who want to grow quickly and help shape a company.

What makes you proud of your team?

Our team is simply incredible: Dedicated to their jobs, enthusiastic, resilient.

We stick together very closely as a team and don’t let anyone fall. The way the team has mastered the challenges with Covid and Brexit makes us all proud. I am very grateful to be part of this great team.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provides for zero tariffs and zero quotas for all goods originating in the UK and the EU that comply with the relevant rules of origin.

However, as the UK has left the Single Market and the Customs Union, customs forms and additional licences, proofs or certificates may be required since January. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates that there will be 270 million customs declarations in 2021 (in previous years there were around 55 million customs declarations a year).

5 key points about customs:

1. customs formalities (= declarations) and controls (= border controls) are required since 1 January 2021. To ensure a smooth transport to the UK, it is necessary to declare the goods both in the EU and in the UK. Export and import declaration is required
2. the agreement provides for zero duties and zero quotas for all goods that comply with the relevant rules of origin.
3. import VAT will continue to be levied.
4. additional licences, proofs, certificates are required depending on the goods.
5. an entry or exit summary declaration must be made.

Logistics:

British and European forwarders can continue to cross the English Channel without restrictions. However, in future British companies will only be allowed to unload one load in the EU and pick up a new one. Previously, up to three stops were allowed. The IT systems for border clearance had not been tested until recently, and it is currently apparent that many truck drivers do not have the correct papers with them. As a result, there are more and more long traffic jams at the borders. The British government wants to introduce its border controls only gradually until July.

Automotive:

Imports will remain duty-free, which will protect supply chains and car manufacturers’ sales. Rules of origin are particularly important for the future of the British car industry. Only finished products made up of at least 60 per cent British and European parts will be duty-free. Britain had also wanted to include Japanese parts, as Nissan is the largest manufacturer in the country and the preliminary products for e-cars largely come from Japan. The EU rejected this, but in future e-cars made in Britain will be subject to reduced tariffs.

Level Playing Field:

British and European companies can sue in each other’s courts if they suspect illegal state aid. Governments on both sides can also impose sanctions unilaterally, such as punitive tariffs. London has managed to keep this issue out of the European Court of Justice. The EU has enforced a sanctions mechanism. The same applies to minimum standards in labour and environmental law. If one side suspects a breach of fair competition, it can impose sanctions, which in turn can be challenged before an arbitration court.

Understandably most companies had other priorities in the last months, while struggling with fundamental challenges as a result of the pandemic, preparation for Brexit was not high on their agenda.

From my personal conversation I had the impression that not all companies well prepared for Brexit. Some of them even believed that there will be an extension of the transition period. We started mid this year to communicate to all our customers and highlight the importance of preparations needed and our advice was always: Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

This is also interesting for you: The Gerlach Brexit Special

2. What are key information that the UK government has shared on their side on Customs regulations and processes?

The UK Government has announced that it will implement full border controls on imports coming into UK from the EU and has taken the decision to introduce the new border controls in three stages up until 1 July 2021.

For example, from 1 January, businesses importing “standard goods” – these range from things such as clothing to electronics – will need to fill out custom declarations and pay any necessary tariffs. However, traders have six months to fill out customs declarations and tariffs can be deferred until this time.

Also important to know is that a new IT platform will support a ‘pre-lodgement’ model, known as the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS), where goods arriving at the border will be required to have submitted a customs declaration in advance. GVMS will be introduced from January only for transit movements – meaning that e.g. EU hauliers may need to submit their Transit Movement Reference Numbers (MRNs) and vehicle/trailer registrations via the GVMS before checking in at their port of departure. From July 2021, the GVMS will be in place for all imports and exports at border locations which have chosen to introduce it.

3. What do you see personally coming in January 2021?

Bringing two observations together – not all companies are well prepared, and even today two weeks before the end of the transition period – no information available about the outcome of negotiations between UK and the EU, I can foresee chaotic situation, long waiting times and traffic jams at the borders.

It is key that companies take all necessary steps to prepare and I would like to emphasize one thing again: For all companies trading with UK today it needs to be clear that from January from customs perspective – either deal or no deal – UK is becoming a third country, and thus customs clearance formalities apply.

As the biggest neutral Customs Broker in Europe, Gerlach offers a wide range of services. Recently we worked with a large Chemical Company where we helped by auditing their Tariff Classifications. We were able to identify incorrect classifications and have them corrected, with a stroke of good fortune this also resulted in a large refund from HMRC.

A large Produce Company approached us to support them in them gaining AEO certification. By working closely at their site, we understood there processes and ensured they gained their AEO status at the first attempt.

"A point to note is for businesses that already have an EORI number from another member state..."

And what are some things that companies should have in place now?

Companies should already have applied for an UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number. A point to note is for businesses that already have an EORI number from another member state (one that does not start GB) can still continue using it for now.

Decide if you want to make declarations through a Customs Agent, and then contact Gerlach as soon as possible. You do have the choice to do this yourself, but you will need to have trained employees, ensure you are linked to the HMRC’s customs systems and for exporting, ensure you are registered for the National Export System.

Another option is to look at HMRC’s new Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP) for Customs. This will be set up for an initial period after the UK leaves the EU, should there be no deal. This allows some flexibility on your Customs paperwork as you can transport your goods into the UK without having to make a full Customs declaration at the border, and you will be able to postpone paying your import duties.

Do you have a message for companies to offer them support?

Gerlach offers a personal service and would welcome the opportunity to be able to look at your current processes and look at ways in which we could help you reduce risk, cost and time by optimising the way you currently operate. Please do contact us here.