London: Britain is set to enforce the long-delayed third phase of its post-Brexit border regime on Friday, marking a significant shift in trade regulations four years after its departure from the European Union’s single market and nearly a decade after the Brexit referendum.
The complexity of restructuring supply chains and establishing customs controls led to multiple delays in implementing the full border model. The process officially began last year, with the initial phase introducing additional certification requirements for certain goods in January. This was followed by a second phase in April, which saw physical inspections at ports for products such as meat, fish, cheese, eggs, dairy items, and select cut flowers, alongside the introduction of new charges.
The third phase, originally scheduled for October 31 last year, will now take effect, requiring businesses transporting goods from the EU to the UK to comply with new safety and security declaration requirements. These declarations provide detailed information about the shipped products and are aimed at enhancing border control efficiency.
According to HM Revenue and Customs, the mandatory data collection will facilitate “more intelligent risking of goods,” ensuring that legally compliant shipments face fewer delays while preventing the entry of illegal and hazardous goods. Authorities have urged businesses to submit declarations before their goods reach UK borders to avoid unnecessary checks and potential penalties.
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While large retailers and major EU exporters are equipped to navigate the new border regime, smaller businesses and wholesalers have raised concerns about the administrative burden and cost implications. Plans to extend physical checks to fruit and vegetable imports have also faced repeated delays, with the latest postponement pushing the implementation date to July 1 this year.
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Meanwhile, Britain’s Finance Minister Rachel Reeves indicated on Sunday that she is open to considering a proposal by European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, suggesting that Britain could join a pan-European customs scheme. However, she emphasized that this initiative is distinct from the EU’s full customs union, which the Labour government has ruled out rejoining.
