BPA statement on new border controls introduced at the end of January 2024.
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The ports industry is paying close attention to how traders manage the latest requirements for new port health controls. However as these new rules are largely documentary we expect operational impacts to be minimal.
Port operators are paying close attention to the next phase of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary control regime when it is introduced at UK borders at the end of April. This will involve the physical inspection of higher risk traffic at Border Control Posts (BCPs) and could mean certain importers facing delays and extra costs. This is of course down to government policy decisions and not a requirement of individual port operators. Even at this late stage we still needs some information from the government to guide what we do and what the charging regime will look like.
Ports are also looking to draw back some of the money it has invested in the BCPs from Government. Our sector prepared these borders facilities at speed to meet tight government deadlines but they are not being fully utilised. Many now stand empty at significant expense to port operators.