PASTA FREIGHT & CUSTOMS
RISK MANAGEMENT
Ian Ainslie, international trade specialist at Unsworth, warns of the impact of the Border Target Operating Model on EU shippers and Italian food imports. CHANGING COMPLIANCE The UK’s departure from the European Union brought sweeping changes to the regulatory landscape governing the import and export of goods. Among these changes, the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) has been a pivotal policy shift that significantly impacts EU shippers, including those in Italy, known for its exports of high-quality pizza, pasta and other Italian delicacies. While previously, many EU goods enjoyed frictionless entry into the UK, post-Brexit regulations demand stricter oversight. EU shippers must now ensure that they comply with new border
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checks, procedures and safety and security requirements A defining feature of the BTOM is its risk-based approach to food imports, dividing products into low, medium and high-risk categories. This is designed to protect consumers while minimising unnecessary checks for low-risk goods. Low-risk products, such as many types of pasta and preserved foodstuffs, face minimal checks. While documentation is still required, these products are generally cleared quickly at the border. Medium-risk goods, such as processed foods with animal content, may be subject to spot checks and additional documentary scrutiny. High-risk imports, such as raw meat, seafood and dairy, face stringent checks. These goods must often be accompanied by Export Health Certificates (EHC) and may require physical inspections at the Border Crossing Point. A requirement for
shippers, particularly those handling products of animal origin (POAO) or food requiring high standards of hygiene, is the use of the UK’s Import of Products, Animals, Food, and Feed System (IPAFFS). This notification system is used to pre-declare consignments to the UK authorities before they reach the border. Shippers must submit detailed information about inbound shipments in advance of arrival, including the nature of the product, its origin and health certificates if necessary. For high-risk goods such as meat and dairy, IPAFFS notifications must be completed well in advance of shipment to ensure no disruptions occur. THE GOOD NEWS Recognising the scale of the changes and their potential impact on trade, the UK government opted for a phased approach to implement the BTOM. This allowed businesses, both within the UK and the EU, time to adjust to the new requirements gradually. The phased introduction of the legislation gave Italian food exporters the opportunity to become familiar with regulations over www.pizzapastamagazine.co.uk 25/10/2024 15:01