Effective 31 January 2025, businesses importing goods from the European Union (EU) into Great Britain (GB) must comply with new safety and security declaration requirements. This marks the end of the post-Brexit waiver period, aligning EU imports with existing protocols for non-EU countries. To facilitate this transition, Customs Declarations UK offers a live platform for submitting Safety and Security Declarations, enabling users to sign up and utilize an intuitive interface for compliance.
Understanding Safety and Security Declarations
Safety and Security Declarations, also known as Entry Summary Declarations (ENS), provide pre-arrival information about goods entering GB. Submitted via the Safety and Security Great Britain (S&S GB) IT system, these declarations enable authorities to assess potential risks, ensuring the swift movement of legitimate goods while preventing illegal or dangerous items from entering the country.
Upcoming Changes and Their Rationale
Since the UK’s departure from the EU, imports from EU countries have been exempt from safety and security declarations. This exemption concludes on 31 January 2025, necessitating compliance with ENS requirements for all EU imports. Implementing these declarations enhances border security by allowing for intelligent risk assessment, thereby minimizing disruptions for compliant businesses and bolstering national safety.
Who Is Affected by the New Regulations?
All businesses importing goods from the EU to GB are subject to these new regulations. Legally, the responsibility for submitting declarations lies with carriers and hauliers, though third parties such as agents or intermediaries can submit on their behalf with proper authorization. The specific responsibilities vary by mode of transport:
- Rail: The rail freight operator is responsible.
- Air or Sea: The airline or shipping company holds responsibility.
- Roll-On, Roll-Off (RoRo): For accompanied goods, the haulage company is responsible; for unaccompanied goods, the ferry operator assumes responsibility.
Businesses that have previously only imported from the EU may need to provide additional information to their carriers to facilitate accurate declarations. Those already importing from non-EU countries or voluntarily submitting ENS for EU imports will find the process familiar.
How to Submit Safety and Security Declarations with Customs Declarations UK
The Customs Declarations UK platform offers a seamless, user-friendly solution for submitting Safety and Security Declarations (ENS) for goods imported from the European Union into Great Britain. With new regulations coming into effect on 31 January 2025, businesses must ensure compliance to avoid disruptions.
To get started with Safety and Security Declarations, register for ENS via the official Gov.UK link. Customs Declarations UK offers flexible pricing options, including Pay-As-You-Go and Subscription plans, with detailed information available on our pricing page. Our expert team is ready to assist you in submitting ENS declarations through our live platform. We highly recommend starting before the 31 January 2025 deadline to familiarize yourself with the process and ensure a smooth transition to compliance.