**London**: The UK will enforce new Safety and Security Declarations from January 31, 2025, ending exemptions for EU goods. Carriers must adapt to stringent digital paperwork requirements to avoid delays, amid government efforts to ease the transition and enhance border security post-Brexit.
The discussion surrounding the UK’s new Safety and Security Protocols has intensified as the implementation date approaches. Set to take effect on January 31, 2025, these protocols fundamentally alter the requirements for all goods moving between the UK and Europe, a shift prompted by the end of the UK’s participation in the European Union’s Safety and Security Zone following Brexit.
Since the UK’s departure from the EU, the need to monitor what crosses its borders has become increasingly crucial. With global geopolitical tensions on the rise, the UK has re-evaluated its security posture, recognising the importance of safeguarding against both legal and illegal items. The newly enforced Safety and Security Declaration (S&SD) is a key measure designed to assist border control in assessing risks tied to incoming goods. The S&SD will help identify potential threats like illegal drugs and weapons while facilitating legitimate trade.
Previously, goods from the EU had been exempt from such controls until several extensions stretched the initial compliance deadline from July 1, 2021, to the present date in 2025. This leniency provided businesses with ample time to prepare for the transition, although it also underscores a significant shift in the regulatory landscape. The responsibility for ensuring compliance with the S&SD lies with the carriers transporting the goods, who must ensure digital paperwork is completed accurately to prevent costly delays or interruptions in supply chains.
According to Cloherty, Senior Commercial Manager at Customs Support Group, companies are encouraged to integrate the new regulations into their existing systems seamlessly. For effective compliance, he emphasised the importance of utilising centralised data exchanges for ongoing adherence. “We have long advised customers and prospects to review and update their existing systems to ensure they can handle the new requirements,” he explained.
The introduction of the S&SD necessitates that carriers and freight forwarders implement robust systems to manage the 20 mandatory fields required in the declaration. These include essential details such as reference numbers, routing codes, the nature and size of the item, and delivery particulars.
To support this transition, HMRC and Border Force have collaborated with industry stakeholders to facilitate preparation for the upcoming changes. This includes guidance from the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade, aimed at ensuring that businesses are well-informed of their obligations. Enquiries into the impact of these declarations on trade volumes and the UK’s GDP are expected in the coming months as businesses adapt to the new protocols.
The UK Government has also signalled a commitment to assist affected carriers, pledging a supportive approach during the implementation period. Despite the anticipated challenges that may accompany these new measures—referred to as “teething problems”—the emphasis has been on collaboration within the supply chain to mitigate disruption.
As the freight industry continues to navigate these changes, the implications for logistics, delivery efficiency, and legal compliance are evident. Moving goods across borders presents inherent risks, particularly as firms ensure compliance with the new administrative requirements to smooth the flow of trade between the UK and Europe.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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