Guidance

Border Operating Model

A guide to how the border works with the European Union.

From:
Cabinet Office
Published
13 July 2020
Last updated
16 June 2022 — See all updates
This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Documents

The Border with the European Union: importing and exporting goods (PDF)

PDF, 3.01 MB, 131 pages

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Border Operating Model Case Studies (PDF)

PDF, 1020 KB, 37 pages

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How to apply for a health certificate to export SPS goods

PDF, 84.9 KB, 1 page

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How to use NES to complete a customs export declaration

PDF, 104 KB, 1 page

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How to delay customs declarations

PDF, 140 KB, 1 page

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How to export to the EU using transit

PDF, 57.5 KB, 1 page

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Details

Doing business with Europe has changed. The UK has left the Single Market and Customs Union and new rules now apply.

Traders and hauliers must take the steps outlined in the Border Operating Model which has been updated to reflect the revised timetable for the introduction of the next stage of UK import requirements, as well as including additional detail on policies and processes.

Case studies

Case studies have been created to represent end-to-end scenarios that will happen between GB and EU, importing and exporting goods from January 2021. These show not just the journeys for standard goods, but also for journeys with additional requirements such as those using the Common Transit Convention or transporting controlled goods.

This should still be used in conjunction with the Border Operating Model which will contain further details, particularly for controlled goods. We have also produced some new step by step explainers to support traders and hauliers with specific parts of UK custom requirements

Updates to this page

Published 13 July 2020
Last updated 16 June 2022 + show all updates

  1. The Border Operating Model has been updated to reflect previous government announcements on border controls.

  2. The Border Operating Model has been updated with further information on the island of Ireland.

  3. Border Operating Model update

  4. Revised timetable for import controls

  5. Added documents

  6. Updated documents

  7. Updated to include a reference to the announced new timetable for introducing import border control processes. The Border Operating Model will be updated shortly to reflect these changes.

  8. Links concerning Rules of Origin were updated

  9. updates to BOM and case study attachments

  10. updated body text

  11. Added Border Operating Model case studies.

  12. Uploaded a new version of the document to reflect the FTA with the EU.

  13. Updated Border Operating Model.

  14. First published.

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