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Press release

Government calls on all Irish exporters to get ready for new UK rules from 31 January

The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, is urging Irish exporters to prepare now for new UK requirements starting 31 January.

These changes by the UK are a further outworking of Brexit, as the UK gradually moves to enhanced border controls as part of its new Border Target Operating Model.

The new UK requirements include the pre-lodgement of customs declarations as well as the pre-notification of agri-food exports which must, in some cases, be accompanied by an Export Health Certificate. These new UK requirements are in addition to the existing formalities that apply when exporting goods from the EU.

The Tánaiste said:

"The UK continues to be an important market for Irish exports so the smooth transition to these new UK requirements will be very important for us. I am encouraging all Irish companies to speak to everyone in their supply chain and make sure they are ready for the new UK processes starting 31 January.”

Over one third of Irish exports go to the UK and the UK remains the largest single destination for Irish food, drink and horticulture exports. The UK accounts for 47% of Irish beef exports, for example, with an estimated value of €1.3 billion, while dairy exports to the UK were valued at €1.1 billion in 2023.

Speaking about the particular impact for the agri-food sector, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue said:

"These new UK import control requirements represent a significant change in the trading environment for Irish agri-food exporters to GB, in what is our largest export market. All businesses in the agri-food supply chain to GB must continue to engage with their UK customers, their local supervisory competent authority team and logistics providers to confirm the processes are in place to meet the new UK requirements in the most effective and efficient manner.”

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Peter Burke underlined the efforts the government has been making to get Irish exporters ready for the new UK requirements:

"We want to make sure that everyone exporting to the UK, or using the UK landbridge, is fully aware that the new UK requirements are coming into force on 31 January and knows what they need to do to prepare.

“We have engaged with all the relevant stakeholders, including in the agri-food sector, the logistics and transport sectors, and we have rolled out a communications campaign at national and local level on radio, in print and on social media to ensure our businesses have sufficient time to prepare for these changes.”

Detailed information for traders is available on www.gov.ie/brexit.

Notes

The UK is introducing new customs and SPS requirements on all goods being imported into Britain starting 31 January 2024, as part of its new Border Target Operating Model.

These new rules will impact all traders who export goods to Great Britain or via the UK landbridge to the rest of Europe. The new UK requirements do not apply to goods moving between Ireland and Northern Ireland, North-South on the island of Ireland.

The government has been actively encouraging all Irish exporters, in particular exporters of agri-food products, to examine their supply chains and to speak to their customers in the UK - and to their transport and logistics providers - to ensure they are ready for these new UK rules taking effect at the end of this month.

Changes on 31 January 2024

There are 3 important UK changes that will apply to Irish traders:

  • pre-notification requirements for live animals, animal products and high and medium risk category plant products
  • full customs controls
  • health certification on medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high risk food and feed of non-animal origin

These new rules will impact traders exporting goods to Great Britain or via the UK landbridge to the rest of Europe.

These new UK rules will be in addition to the existing formalities that apply when exporting goods from the EU.

The new UK requirements do not apply to goods moving between Ireland and Northern Ireland, North-South on the island of Ireland.

What traders need to do from 31 January 2024

From 31 January 2024, when Irish traders are exporting goods to Great Britain or via the landbridge to the rest of Europe, they will need to have completed all of the following UK import requirements in addition to the existing formalities that apply when exporting goods from the EU:

  • ensure their GB importer or GB-based agent has registered with the UK Customs Declarations System (CDS) and has made a customs declaration. Hauliers need the UK import declaration reference number to generate a Goods Movement Reference (GMR)
  • use the UK Goods Vehicle Management System (GVMS) to add the import declaration reference and generate a GMR before departing for ports in Ireland
  • for live animals and animal products and high and medium risk category plant products, traders must ensure their GB importer or GB based agent has pre-notified each consignment on the UK’s food and feed SPS import system (IPAFFS )
  • ensure any products that require an Export Health Certificate have one. The requirement for an Export Health Certificate will be based on the UK’s new low, medium, and high-risk categorisation

Comprehensive information on the new UK import controls is available at www.gov.ie/brexit.

Situation for Northern Ireland

The new UK requirements do not apply to goods moving between Ireland and Northern Ireland, North-South on the island of Ireland.

Qualifying Northern Ireland goods will continue to have unfettered access to Great Britain. Further information on moving qualifying Northern Ireland goods to GB through Ireland is available in the UK Government guidance on moving qualifying goods from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK.

The new UK requirements will apply to goods from Ireland whether transported directly from Ireland to Great Britain or indirectly via Northern Ireland to Great Britain.