An increasing number of UK importers are creating their own internal checkpoints in a bid to overcome post-Brexit border delays as part of the Trusted Trader scheme.
The Financial Times and Fresh Produce Consortium are reporting that more and more plant and food traders have set up their own control points for product inspections, hoping to bypass government-run facilities which are facing delays – in particular the Sevington inspection site.
The trusted trader program, or Authorised Operator Status, was originally introduced to allow prolific importers to carry out their own produce checks as they’re already aware of the regulatory requirements and are, as the name suggests, trusted to give the go ahead.
Chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium, Nigel Jenney, told the FPC that: “The industry offered cost-effective solutions years ago but these were ignored by the previous government. They should have used the industry’s facilities and expertise that already existed and we would have readily shared it. Consequently, it’s a problem of their own making.
“Our solutions remain valid today and are a short and long-term solution for the flower, plant, fruit and vegetable sectors, as Sevington is simply not fit for purpose.
“The new Government needs to act now before SMEs fail, through no fault of their own.”
Becoming trusted traders
Businesses with a long history of customs compliance and have been through a thorough HMRC audit can be granted Authorised Operator Status, with numerous benefits including taking checks away from the border, reducing required documentary checks on goods, and essentially skipping the queues.
After delays and other issues such as IT problems at the Sevington border site, many firms are now looking to become trusted traders in their own right or partner with other firms who hold the accreditation.
But despite the recent post-Brexit interest in the scheme, UK firms still lag behind EU rivals.
Trade and customs specialist Andy Bridges told the Daily Update over the summer that: “We’re not even touching the EU countries on number of accredited firms, let alone the rest of the world.
“And it’s not just the EU – other countries, the US, Japan, even China – all over the world, other countries recognise this scheme.
“In essence, it’s giving you an enhanced degree of reputation and status worldwide.”
If your business is interested in ways to help streamline import processes and better manage new customs and compliance requirements, you can speak to the Go Exporting team today.
