Exporting to the UK: the Border Target Operating Model

Exporting to the UK: new rules and border controls

Since 1 January 2020, the European Union (EU) has seen incoming trade from the UK as trade from a third country. The UK has also drawn up its own trade rules. This is separate from the trade agreement between the EU and the UK. Below is an overview of the changes to the rules and border controls that apply to products when exporting to the UK.

The 3 stages of the BTOM

The United Kingdom introduced its new Border Target Operating Model in stages throughout 2024 and 2025. This means additional customs rules and checks when exporting goods to the UK. Here are the 3 stages:

31 January 2024: Health certification

The first step for exporters was to obtain health certificates for the shipment of animal, plant, and plant-based products to the UK. Your clients in the UK need these from you. This law only applies to products that are known to have a medium to high risk for the health of humans, animals, and nature. For example:

• Fresh, cooled, or frozen meat or meat products.
• Animal food that contains animal products.
• Sea animals and fish products.
• Other goods that contain animal products.

The British government has a list of which animals and animal products have a medium or high risk. The UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) also has a list of plant and plant products and their risk level.

30 April 2024: Physical checks

Since 30 April 2024, British customs also physically checks these animal, plant, and plant-based products. These checks take place at so-called Border Control Posts (BCP). These can be found, for example, at UK ports and airports. A map of these locations is published in Annex F (page 128-133) of the Border Target Operating Model guidance.

31 January 2025: Safety and Security declarations

The final stage came into effect on 31 January 2025. A declaration to UK customs is now needed for all import shipments from the EU. This is called a Safety and Security declaration. Your carrier or logistics provider will take care of this declaration for you. But you must first provide the correct information. For example, a copy of the health certificate. This can be scanned and sent as a PDF file to your carrier.

Please note: this applies to all products, not only animal, plant, or plant-based products.

Want to know more?

If you have any questions about the Border Target Operating Model, we advise you to consult the British government. See the links below. You can also contact the NVWA in the Netherlands.

The NVWA also has a tool available, the export assistant (in Dutch). You can use it to see what the requirements and export procedures are for each country and product.

The website Get ready for Brexit will guide you through the latest customs rules for all transport of goods between the EU and the UK.

Information for businesses in the Netherlands

• Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA, in Dutch). Some information is available in English. There is also an FAQ available in Dutch.
• Rules for exports to the UK, provided by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (in Dutch).
• KVK provides the latest information and advice for doing business with the UK.

Information from the UK government

• GOV.UK: Border Target Operating Model.
• GOV.UK: Overview for EU exporters.
• British Embassy in The Hague, or send your questions by email to the British Embassy in The Hague: DITNetherlands@fco.gov.uk.
• GOV.UK: a series of webinars about border requirements.