Important news for UK importers and companies using Great Britain as a land bridge

 

Effective from April 30th, 2024, commercial movements of animal products, plants, and plant products through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel will be subject to a common user charge. This charge will be applicable to imports entering Great Britain as well as transits entering and leaving Great Britain.

 

As a component of the changes made to import controls through the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), the common user charge will apply to all commercial imports entering or transiting through Great Britain via the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel from any country.

 

Starting from 30th April 2024, if you are a business located in the UK and importing goods that pass through Great Britain via the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel, and are eligible for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks at a government-run border control post (BCP) in England, you will be required to pay a common user charge. This charge will be applicable regardless of whether your consignment is selected for SPS checks or not.

 

However, there are certain scenarios where this charge may not be applicable. These include:

 

– Low-risk plants and plant products that have been pre-notified on IPAFFS. Notwithstanding, a charge may still be imposed.

– Plants and plant products that have been inspected at an inland control point as opposed to a government-run BCP.

– Plants and plant products that are being transported from one country to another and transiting through Great Britain (referred to as ‘using Great Britain as a landbridge’) and have been pre-notified on IPAFFS. Nevertheless, a charge may still be imposed.

– Personal use goods that are being brought in on Eurostar or Dover Ferry passenger services.

– Participants of the Authorised Operator Status (AOS) pilot for plants and plant products will not be required to pay the common user charge provided that SPS checks are carried out at an inland control point.

 

 

Find out more on:

Common user charge: rates and eligibility – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)