The final Border Target Operating Model sets out a new approach to security controls (applying to all imports) and sanitary and phytosanitary controls (applying to imports of live animals, animal products, plants, and plant products) at the border. It outlines how controls will be simplified and digitised, as well as our ambition for the UK’s new Single Trade Window. 

It can be found here: The Border Target Operating Model: August 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

It incorporates and responds to feedback from stakeholders on the earlier draft Border Target Operating Model wherever possible. 

It has been developed with further collaboration across the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments and engagement with officials from the devolved administration in Northern Ireland. 

The Government has agreed to a delay of 3 months to introduce remaining sanitary and phytosanitary controls and full customs controls for non-qualifying Northern Ireland goods, which will now be introduced from January 2024. This gives traders the benefit of additional requested time to prepare for the model. 

The Border Target Operating Model has been developed following extensive engagement with the border industry and businesses across the UK. It incorporates feedback from the Draft Border Target Operating Model, published in April 2023. HMRC will work closely with stakeholders to prepare for each of the significant Border Target Operating Model milestones, outlined on page 13 of the document. 

Important Changes to Exports and Imports-related content in the BTOM include: 

• Customs controls on Irish goods entering Great Britain will be introduced from 31st January 2024. Under the Windsor Framework, qualifying Northern Ireland goods will continue to have unfettered access to the UK market, whether those goods are moving directly from Northern Ireland to Great Britain or moving to Great Britain from Northern Ireland via Ireland.  
• Safety and Security declarations for imports into Great Britain from the EU or from other territories where the current waiver applies will be introduced from 31st October 2024. 
• Further detail is provided on the UK Single Trade Window, which will underpin the new approach to controls. When fully operational, this will provide a single digital gateway for users to provide the data needed to trade and apply for licences and authorisations for trusted trader schemes. 

If you import food products, live animals, animal products, plants, or plant products from the EU into Great Britain, you can check the Border Target Operating Model risk-level of your commodity now to be ready for upcoming changes to border processes. 

• From EU Countries: View the Plants and Plant Product Border Target Operating Model risk categories 
• From EU Countries: View the Animals and Animal Products Border Target Operating Model risk categories 

The Cabinet Office has also published The Ecosystem of Trust Evaluation Report 2023 alongside the Border Target Operating Model.