We recently caught up with our colleagues and contacts at UK Border Force to learn what’s happening at British ports are airports, now that international travel is returning in earnest, and learn what this means for business travellers.
Border Force Director General, Phil Douglas, began by acknowledging the critical role industry has played in helping protect the UK in the very challenging period of the pandemic.
I look forward to working closely with industry partners to meet the challenges ahead as we look to support the UK economy during the post-Covid recovery, and work towards the longer-term vision for the UK border. Over the coming months I intend to meet many of you, to hear your views on issues affecting the Border and to dis-cuss how we can continue to work effectively together to improve systems and processes at the UK border both now and in the future.
Phil Douglas, Director General UK Border Force
Release The Kraken
Border Force are working with law enforcement partners to refresh and reinvigorate Project Kraken – our campaign to raise public vigilance along the coast and in the General Maritime sector.
Amongst the work being undertaken is a revised reporting pathway for members of the public, making it easier to contact us and report suspicious behaviour.
The previous publicity campaign (an example shown on the right) was widely used for the first iteration of the campaign in 2015.
We are in the process of refreshing our communications materials and seeking to build more effective links with communities to share this important message. We hope to go-live with Operation Kraken this Spring and we will give you more in-formation as soon as we can. Your help in partnering with us to share this messaging will be vital to the success of this campaign.
Border Force Review
The Home Secretary has ordered a wide-ranging, independent re-view of Border Force to assess its structure, powers, funding and priorities to ensure it can keep pace with rapidly evolving threats and continues to protect the border, maintain security and prevent illegal migration.
The review is expected to take several months to complete. The review will be carried out by Alexander Downer as an Independent Reviewer.
Contact Border Force
If you have any questions for the UK Border Force, they would love to hear from you!
If there are topics you would like to see included in future Border Force Bulletins, please let the team know.
Full Customs Controls Between GB and EU
Full customs controls are now in place between Great Britain (GB) and the EU (except Ireland). Current arrangements will apply to goods moving from Ireland to GB, while discussions on the Northern Ireland Protocol are continuing.
Important changes since 1 January:
Anyone who is moving commercial goods between GB and the EU through border locations that use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) must be registered for the service.
GVMS enables declaration references to be linked together so the driver moving the goods has to present just a single reference, the Goods Movement Reference.
It’s important that the person who creates the GMR, usually the haulier or an intermediary, includes all the correct references. Otherwise, goods will be delayed at the border. Check which references should be included in your GMR.
Some locations that use GVMS alongside other customs models may operate alternative processes. If you’re moving goods through one of these locations, you should check with the carrier you’re intending to travel with about what information you need to clear customs.
The ‘Check if you need to report for an inspection’ service allows anyone in control of moving goods, including drivers, to check if their goods are held, using their GMR. You do not need to be registered for GVMS to use the service.
If you’re arriving into the Port of Dover or Holyhead, or traveling via Eurotunnel, you’ll be directed to attend an inland border facility (IBF) for these inspections.
For all other GVMS border locations, you will be directed to the inspection facility within or near the port.
It’s important that haulier managers and drivers follow instructions from HMRC to report for an inspection. If you fail to do so, you may be liable to pay a penalty of up to £2,500.
TRAVEL TALKS
We’re bringing you all the latest business travel trends and topics from our very own industry experts. Each bite-size session will offer insight, how-to’s and top tips on subjects such as building traveller confidence, implementing a sustainable travel policy, creating successful corporate travel programmes and more!
Traveller Toolkit
To help you navigate the changes of business travel, we’ve created the brand-new Traveller Toolkit. This invaluable online resource is packed full of easy-to-use guides and checklists for every stage of every journey. We detail exactly what you need to know and do before, during and after your trip in a post-pandemic, post Brexit world.
You can even check the travel restrictions and health status of your destination with our comprehensive COVID-19 Country Tracker, updated five times daily to ensure you have the very latest information to help keep you and your travellers safe.
Travel is changing. With common sense and a good TMC behind you, travellers can have the confidence to once again take to the skies. It’ll soon be back business as (un)usual.