Manufacturing & Supply Chain

The Government has urged Irish exporters to take all steps necessary to prepare for new UK import controls set to be introduced at the end of October. Minister of State for European Affairs, Peter Burke TD said: “With the UK introducing new import controls on 31 October, it is essential that all Irish businesses who export to the UK talk to everyone in their supply chains regarding changes that they may need to make.  Early and full engagement on these new UK customs and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements can help avoid unnecessary costs and delays.”

The Minister’s call follows the publication last April by the UK Government of its Draft Border Target Operating Model (TOM) that sets out plans for new rules for importing goods to the UK, including from Ireland. The final detail of the new UK requirements is expected to be published by the UK Government shortly.

These new UK controls will have implications for all Irish exports to the United Kingdom, (excluding Northern Ireland).

In particular exports from the agri-food sector will be subject to pre-notification and accompanied, in some cases, by export health and phytosanitary certificates.  Other changes will see the introduction of ferry-boarding formalities and the end of the delayed lodgement of customs declarations. Hauliers who move goods through UK ports that employ the goods vehicle movement service (GVMS) need to register to use the service.

Furthermore, as TOM will be implemented in several stages between October 2023 and October 2024, all those involved in moving goods to and through the United Kingdom (including those using the UK Landbridge) should check the UK Government website as further updates are made available.

Due to the Northern Ireland Protocol/Windsor Framework, there will be no changes for anyone moving goods between Ireland and Northern Ireland. There is a range of advice available on the Government’s Brexit website (www.gov.ie/Brexit).