On the 8th October 2020, the UK government’s Department of International Trade published an updated version of its Border Operating Model. This new guidance provides further detail on how the GB-EU border will work and the actions that traders, hauliers and passengers need to take.
The updated model:
- Maps out the intended locations of inland border infrastructure. The sites will provide additional capacity to carry out checks on freight.
- Announces that passports will be required for entry into the UK from October 2021 as the Government phases out the use of EU, EEA and Swiss national identity cards as a valid travel document for entry to the UK.
- Confirms that a Kent Access Permit will be mandatory for HGVs using the short strait channel crossings in Kent. The easy-to-use ‘Check an HGV’ service will allow hauliers to check if they have the correct customs documentation and obtain a Kent Access Permit.
Please check the new rules that will apply from January 2021: https://www.gov.uk/transition
The UK government has launched a new campaign to help EU businesses prepare for the end of the transition period. The campaign, ‘Keep Business Moving’, will direct EU traders to a dedicated GOV.UK page which provides information on what they need to do to continue trading smoothly with the UK at the end of the year. The page will be updated with further information over the coming weeks and months.