Border policy

Safety and Security declarations were originally due to be introduced for all EU imports from 31 October 2024 as part of the 3rd phase of the BTOM. These will now be required from 31 January 2025.

The government have announced that they are not proceeding with plans to extend ‘Not for EU’ labelling requirements, required for movements of meat and dairy movements via the ‘Green Lane’ to Northern Ireland, to the same products when sold in GB.

Further simplifications to the customs process for sending products and parcels to Northern Ireland are to be delayed until the end of March 2025.

HMRC have announced an extension of the Trader Support Service until the end of 2025, providing continued support to businesses when moving goods into NI. A procurement exercise for a further extension of the service beyond this date starts in early 2025.

Following numerous media reports, the government have announced a further delay to import checks on medium risk fruit and vegetables which will now be subject to controls from 1 July 2025.