The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) has this week issued Market Access Advice 2020-16: United Kingdom: Multiple Commodities: BREXIT changes from 1 Jan 2021 affecting Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It provides information on changes to trade with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) following the Brexit transition period which ends on 31 December 2020.
The notice is directed primarily to the attention of Australian exporters and industry bodies, including: Dairy Australia, Dairy Export Industry Consultative Committee, Seafood Export Consultative Committee, Australian Food and Grocery Council, Australian Honey Bee Industry Council.
Certain changes relate specifically to the Northern Ireland Protocol, which was agreed between the UK and EU in 2019, and will come into effect at the end of the Brexit transition period. Under the terms of this Protocol, from 01 January 2021, Northern Ireland will remain part of the EU’s customs and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) territories. This means that for some commodities, Northern Ireland and Great Britain (comprising of England, Scotland and Wales) may be subject to different rules for SPS and marketing standards over time.
As Northern Ireland will continue to use the EU regulations and systems for imports there are unlikely to be any impacts on trade in products which are shipped directly to Northern Ireland. The UK Government has published advice regarding transit or trans-shipment through the UK.
Certificates
Revised templates for export health certificates for England, Scotland and Wales will be amended to refer to Great Britain rather than the EU. The UK has advised that current EU model certificates issued for product shipped up to and including 31 March 2021 will be accepted.
Due to the Northern Ireland Protocol, exports to Northern Ireland must continue to meet EU SPS rules and marketing standards including the relevant EU model certificate. Companies are encouraged to verify that their shipments have the correct certification prior to their shipments leaving Australia, noting the restrictions around the replacement of health certificates for the EU.
Exporters should be aware of possible delays to the processing of imports at the UK border as new arrangements are implemented from 01 January 2021.
For further information on changes due as a result of Brexit, contact us here at Colless Young. We are Licensed Customs Brokers and International Freight Forwarders. Colless Young offers professional advice on tariffs, by-laws and clearance procedures through all Australian ports and airports. We are based in Brisbane and our services cover every aspect of logistics, air and sea freight, including exports, and processing of import consignments through customs and quarantine, warehousing and trucking.
