Border Target Operating Model (BTOM)

On 29 August 2023, the UK Government published the final Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) that proposes a new approach to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls, applying to imports of live animals, animal products, plants and plant products at the border.  

The United Kingdom will implement the new SPS regime in stages, with legislation introduced in accordance with the timetable detailed in the final Target Operating Model (TOM). The second stage came into force on 30 April 2024, and introduced risk-based documentary, identity and physical checks on medium-risk plants and plant products from the EU, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Two main milestones of the BTOM have been delivered:

From 31 January 2024:

  • All imports of medium-risk plants and plant products need to have a 'Phytosanitary Certificate' (PC) upon entry.
  • All imports of medium risk-plants and plant products from the Republic of Ireland (RoI) require pre-notification on IPAFFS.   
  • Low-risk goods from the EU are exempt from systematic controls at the border, and so do not require a PC or pre-notification. This includes most fruit, vegetables and cut flowers. Instead, they are subject to enhanced inland monitoring via surveillance at the most appropriate locations and times, and evidence-led visits to premises by plant health inspectors.  

From 30 April 2024:

  • High-risk plants and plant products must come through a Border Control Post (BCP) or Control Point (CP) where identity and physical checks are carried out. Checks no longer take place at Places of Destination (PoDs).
  • Documentary, physical and identity checks at the border have been introduced for medium-risk goods imported from the EU, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. In line with the reduced frequency of checks, checks have a baseline of 3% for EU, Liechtenstein and Switzerland imports, and 5% for non-EU imports, but may be different in specific cases, where additional risk factors apply.
  • The UK Government has also begun to simplify imports from non-EU countries.  This includes the removal of health certification and routine checks on low-risk plants and plant products from non-EU countries. 

BTOM has still to implement:

  • The requirement for Safety and Security declarations for imports in Great Britain from the EU or from other territories where the waiver applies.
  • A reduced dataset for imports and use of the Single Trade Window, the intention is to remove duplication where possible across different pre-arrival datasets, like pre-lodged customs declarations. 

You may find the following links useful