Exporters are told to get ready for new post-Brexit regulations

ORGANISATIONS exporting Irish goods to Britain are being urged to prepare for post-Brexit rules coming in two weeks.

From January 31, Britain will require the pre-lodgement of customs declarations and the pre-notification of agrifood exports – which in some cases will need an Export Health Certificate.

Irish exporters, UK importers, businesses and hauliers are asked to ensure all staff know their roles in implementing changes for British-bound goods.

Full customs controls for goods from Ireland will start on January 31; a requirement was in place for other EU goods since January 2022.

Also, pre-notification of agri-food products destined for Britain and, in some cases, an Export Health Certification that the product meets British health standards will be required.

These certificates are issued by authorities such as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This is done to align with the UK’s new ‘risk category’ approach to agri-goods.

Irish agri-food exporters must check if their products fall into the medium-risk or high-risk category, and whether they need an export certificate.

Products in the low-risk category will not need the certificate but will still need to be pre-notified. For example, meats and infant formula require health certificates, while cheddar cheeses made from pasteurised milk and composite products do not require one.

Exporters to Britain also need to be registered on the EU Traces system in order to apply for these certificates.

Products going from Northern Ireland are not affected by the changes, nor are Irish goods processed in the North before going on to Britain.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said: ‘The smooth transition to these new UK requirements will be very important for us. I am encouraging all Irish companies to speak to everyone in their supply chain and make sure they are ready for the new UK processes starting January 31.’