Latest developments to the new Border Target Operating Model

This week saw two developments in the ongoing implementation of the new BTOM. From 10pm on 5 August invoices for the Common User Charge (CUC) started to be issued to businesses that imported SPS goods from 30 April ’24, which were eligible for checks at Sevington Border Control Post.

These charges are unique to Sevington and go towards paying for the new border facilities that were built. Other BCPs currently don’t levy the CUC if no physical check is carried out, whereas the CUC applies to all checks, both physical and automated electronic checks on documentation, for consignments going through Sevington. Defra has a note on it here.

The other development was that the Transitional Staging Period, which was introduced as part of a phased implementation of the BTOM and eases the requirements for certain official controls on some plant and animal products, has been extended again. Instead of ending on 31 January 2025, it will now end 1 July 2025 to prevent the remaining controls from taking effect by default.