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The Border with the European Union

Ian Simmonds • August 29, 2020

The UK Government have published the Border Operating Model.


The Border with the European Union

The UK Government have stated that on 1 January 2021 the transition period with the European Union (EU) will end and the United Kingdom (UK) will operate a full, external border as a sovereign nation. This means that controls will be placed on the movement of goods between Great Britain (GB) and the EU. 

The UK Government have recognised the impact of coronavirus on UK businesses’ ability to prepare and therefore have announced that they will implement full border controls on imports coming into GB in three stages up until 1 July 2021.

  • Stage 1 – from 1 January 2021
  • Stage 2 – from 1 April 2021
  • Stage 3 – from 1 July 2021

The UK Government have published the Border Operating Model (BOM), which outlines the processes for moving goods between GB and the EU from 1 January 2021 onwards. This document provides all the detail around the border operating requirements in the event that the UK and the EU do not negotiate a UK/EU Free Trade Agreement.


If you would like more details, please call +44 (0) 118 932 8447 or email info@icsglobalservices.co.uk


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