Consultation outcome

Charging arrangements at government-run border control posts

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Detail of outcome

Following this consultation, we plan to introduce a common user charge on imports which are eligible for checks at government-run border control posts. These charges will apply from 30 April 2024. 

Read our guidance on paying the common user charge.

Detail of feedback received

We received 147 responses to this consultation.


Original consultation

Summary

This consultation seeks views on the government’s plan to introduce a Common User Charge to recover operating costs at government-run border control posts.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

In the recently published draft Target Operating Model, government outlined its plan to charge for eligible sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) consignments. The charge would recover operating costs for government-run border control posts (BCPs). As part of this plan it committed to consulting on the proposed methodology and rates.

The objectives of the consultation, which is being carried out under Article 85(3) of the retained Official Controls Regulation (2017/625), are to seek views:

  • on Defra’s intention to administer a single Common User Charge for eligible SPS consignments at government-run BCPs serving the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
  • on the principles, methodology and indicative rates of the Common User Charge to determine fair and reasonable charges
  • about any potential impacts and implications of the introduction of these charges

Defra welcomes feedback on the impacts of the proposal on businesses of all sizes and operating different business models.

Updates to this page

Published 12 June 2023
Last updated 3 April 2024 + show all updates
  1. Added the summary of responses and government response.

  2. Updated to say that a summary of the responses and an update on the Common User Charge proposal will be published in early 2024.

  3. Added information about the number of responses received.

  4. First published.

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