The UK government has published its new Border Operating Model aimed at providing clarity and certainty for traders and the border industry at the end of the transition period. The Model also includes technical detail on how the border with the EU will work after the transition period and the actions that traders, hauliers, ports and carriers need to take. The Model also refers to steps traders must take now to continue seamless trade with the EU following the end of the Brexit transition period.

Some of these steps are:

• Get a customs intermediary: Intermediaries can help traders find the information needed to complete formalities and submit the required declarations, for example customs information to HMRC systems.
• Apply for a duty deferment account: Traders who import goods regularly may benefit from having a duty deferment account. This enables customs charges, including customs duty, excise duty, and import VAT, to be paid once a month through direct debit instead of being paid on individual consignments.
• Prepare to pay or account for VAT on imported goods.
• Ensure traders have International Driving Permits.
• Apply for a GB Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number: This is required for all businesses moving goods into or out of the UK.

The publication of this model follows the announcement of a £705 million investment into new infrastructure, jobs, and technology at GB-EU border. This will include £470 million to build infrastructure such as border control posts, and £235m for IT systems and the hiring of around 500 more Border Force personnel.