New Timetable for Controls on Importing Animal Products from the European Union into Great Britain

Message from DEFRA

New controls and requirements delayed to January 2022. 

Following the Government announcement, we want to share some further information on what this might mean for your businesses.

New controls and requirements due to be introduced from 1 October 2021 and 1 January 2022 have now been delayed to 1 January 2022 and 1 July 2022.

Businesses no longer need to pre-notify or acquire a certified Export Health Certificate (EHC) from 1 October 2021. This means you can continue to import animal product consignments from the European Union as you do today until 31 December 2021.

From 1 January 2022, importers (or a representative acting on their behalf) will be required to pre-notify authorities via IPAFFS that their consignment will be entering Great Britain.

From 1 July 2022, animal products will need to continue to pre-notify their arrival via IPAFFS. Additionally, these consignments must be accompanied by a certified Export Health Certificate and enter via a point of entry with a Border Control Post (BCP) that has been designated to receive these goods. The consignment will be subject to documentary, ID, and physical checks. 

These delays do not impact any current arrangements already in place i.e. products under safeguard measures.

At this stage we encourage businesses to start thinking about the appropriate and relevant actions they will need to take to be ready for 1 January 2022. 

We will be in touch shortly with further information about the new requirements and controls being introduced from 1 January 2022. If you haven’t registered for IPAFFS do so now at gov.uk

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please email us at traders@defra.gov.uk

Trader Readiness Team